tropical diving near California?

[capybara]

We're trying to plan a week-long trip in late October. Any suggestions on where to go/places to stay? We want to minimize the amount of flying as we'll be bringing a baby and grandma too. So ideally it has to be easy to get to and not extremely expensive, baby-friendly and have some topside activities as well. It seems that Hawaii is getting super expensive now--$1000 pp for airfare alone, not to mention hotels!!! We'd be flying out of SF or Oakland.

 

[Ann Marie]

Cabo? I went and dove there in May and had a great time. Only got in 2 dives as most of our group weren't divers.

 

[djjsperry]

Have you thought about Catalina. It's a little late now they usually book up 6 months in advance but for your next trip that's an idea.
djjsperry

 

[Scared Silly]

Catalina is not tropical by most peoples standards. Cabo would be my suggestion as well.

 

[Noboundaries]

Haven't been yet, but I have Loreto in Baja on my dive destination list. Less developed than Cabo and more laid back. You can be there in 90 minutes out of LA. I believe Alaska Airlines goes there if they haven't cut the route in the gas price hubbub.

 

[dashark]

Loreto would be my suggestion as well. Much better diving than Cabo. Alask still flies direct from LA on certain days. Real easy hit from So Cal.

 

[Teamcasa]

Cabo would hold more interest for Grandma and the topside family. Loreto’s diving may be better but it is a very small town and not that much to do outside of diving or fishing.

 

[dashark]

Cabo would hold more interest for Grandma and the topside family. Loreto’s diving may be better but it is a very small town and not that much to do outside of diving or fishing.

Good point. You may also consider La Paz. Great diving and decent topside stuff. Not as good topside as cabo for some, but, the diving is as good or better than Loreto.

 

[dpbishop]

I loved La Paz. Here is my dive report:http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/mexico/208463-la-paz-report.html

Here is a link to an independent Baja Diving site (not run by a dive outfit) that describes some of the other areas in Baja

http://www.bajadivers.com/index.html

October is the best time to dive La Paz.

 

[ianw2]

Catalina may not be tropical in the sense of warm water, but the diving, in my opinion, is much more interesting with teeming sealife and a lot to see.

Loreto would be a great place, but there ain't much to do topside except sunning and reading. I recommend the Inn at Loreto Bay...third world hotel and dfefinitely only 1/2 a star but streets ahead of anywhere else in Loreto. The diving with Dolphin Dive Center is top notch.

Haven't been to La Paz, but it appears to be a good compromise between Cabo and Loreto.