Welcome to the casino dive park undrwater.
the sticky has quite a bit of information, but probably could use an update.
Happy birthday, and remember you can ride for free on your birthday on the express. I just did this last weekend.
Most people gear up either next to the wall on either side of the steps, and some people like to gear up up against the casino wall, facing out towards the ocean.
There are lockers close by and they have just been refurbished, it is .75 cents per opening of them. I was there last sunday it was quite busy, but there were still a few lockers available.
Everyone pretty much just leaves their dive bags/case/bags on the ground while diving.
I was quite leary myself about doing this, but after reading many posts and doing it a few times it has worked out well. Divers seem to be a good group overall.
I'm sure the sticky has filled you in on other items, but I like to use the luggauge transfer service. It is $8 RT and located just past the bathroom and ticket booth. Then an easy stroll over, perhaps breakfast, and your gears are there waiting for you. Just call for the return about 10-15 minutes before and they will pick you stuff up and take it back to the lugguage for storage until you are ready to leave.
Here are some tips for you: If you take your own tank, use a hand cart, this saves your back. Fills at the trailer are $7.00 and you can start a tab if you are going to get mutilple fills, you will need to show your C-card. Get to the fill early on the weekends because it can get crowded.
It is good to take a mat/tarp of some sort. The ground gets a bit muddy/dirty/wet. Helps with gearing up/down.
Remember the stairs, going in on the right, exiting on the right.
The closest bathroom is right across from the outdoor restaurant casino dock cafe.
That restaurant has pretty good food, fish tacos, tuna melt are my favs. The beer is pricey, but tap BUD is $3.75 glass, pitcher is $15.00.
Someone has posted a nice map of the park here and at the Pacific Wilderness website you can download it.
If you need a buddy, at least on the weekends there are quite a few people to hook up with. I was solo and met several people without any problems.
Oh, one last tip, there are a couple of private bouys just out from the stairs in about 20' of water. the instructors/students use these for training, so you don't want to be using these while they are in the area.
Have a great time, you will enjoy diving in the kelps, the friendly sheephead, the couple of wrecks, and I liked the Jacques Cousteau monument myself.
Think I've said enough.