Wetsuit needed for Southern California

[Bubbletrubble]

SoCal water temps at depth (~60 fsw) range from the low-50s (°F; winter) to the mid-60s (summer).

Wetsuit
Summer: 7mm full + Thick hood + Gloves + Booties
Winter: 7mm full + Hooded Vest + Gloves + Booties

Once you get a drysuit, you'll be wearing it for most of the year.
Drysuit diving will give you more diving opportunities (night diving, repetitive boat diving, winter diving, etc.).
Nowadays I only use my 7mm wetsuit when snorkeling.

 

[mathauck0814]

... the dry kind

 

[Bob DBF]

I usually dive in NoCal and use 7mm Farmer John & boots, a 7/5 cold water hood, and 5mm gloves all year round.

When I go to SoCal I just zip down the jacket while diving to cool off, been known to get back from a dive take off my jacket and get back in the water for a bit while everyone else is trying to warm up.



Bob
-------------------------------
I may be old, but I’m not dead yet.

 

[mmcdanie]

I use a 7/8mm intergrated hood, boots and 5mm gloves. Laguna has been 52F at 40FT in March. It was 57F in Dec... Two weeks ago as we were coming out, we saw a group of 3 on the beach getting ready to go in. One of the 3 was in a spring suit and no hood. We told him the temp, 52F. I think it is dangerous diving in 52F without a proper suit. I would have told him he could not dive today. Perhaps I'm just being too cautious but that is what my gut was telling me.

 

[asha]

Drysuit, no hood... compromise!