What are the best dive spots in California?

[Mylee]

I've been seriously considering moving to California in the next year, and I want to make sure I live relatively close to a good dive spot. Any recommendations as far as coastal towns & their dive spots to check out? I'll be visiting in October to check out apartments/condos and the diving scene. There is also a small chance I might end up moving to Oregon, so if you have any recommendations for there as well I'd love to hear them! I would greatly appreciate any input/advice! Thanks!

 

[drrich2]

When I was researching for my out-of-state dive tourist trip to California, my objective was different than yours. I did a write-up and included a list of resources at the end, so maybe the link will be helpful. I settled on a 5-day Southern Channel Islands trip report with Truth Aquatics about the Vision (trip report). For a different perspective on a Northern Channels Islands trip (to Santa Cruz) by another forum member, elgoog, back in March, aboard the similar boat Conception, click here.

Some questions that may help others zero in on what you want.

1.) How important is shore diving? Are you comfortable 'reading' sea conditions and doing substantial swim-outs or dealing with 'challenging' entries/exits?

2.) How important is boat diving?

I'm thinking where to settle will be impacted by how important it is to you to be able to make a short drive to shore diving sites.

Richard.

 

[Mylee]

Shore diving isn't as important to me, I'm more interested in boat diving. I'd be ok with a drive of a little over an hour, but not much more unless it was for a special dive. Also to take into consideration, I'm starting to grow concerned over the water temperature since I'm very thin and don't maintain body heat well. Usually I can mentally handle colder temperatures, but physically, my body tends to disagree and grow stiff and I have a hard time regulating my breathing if it's cold enough. Is it possible to get around these colder temperatures and still have successful dives by maintaining my body heat with a thicker wet suit/hood? Or are there areas in the California region that have warmer waters? I'm interested in the Santa Barbara area but I haven't done a ton of research on it yet. I apologize if I sound like I don't know anything, I'm still an amateur/beginner diver, but I want to change that, as diving is growing to be a huge passion of mine.

 

[turnburglar]

Mylee- don't worry about the cold, just get the right wetsuit. I froze A lot doing OW and AOW while I was in a rental 7mm. I have even come out of the water almost shivering on a few dives. Getting my aqualung solafx semi-dry is the best piece of gear I have picked up yet. I am a big believer in the 'semi-dry' suits after renting so many different 7mms.

My favorite place to dive is casino point on Catalina island. It's an hour ride on the cats and only $60 for a round trip ticket out of the major ports so really you could live anywhere in the LA or Orange County areas.

 

[drrich2]

Nothing to apologize for, Mylee. If you look at that write-up I linked, when I started researching California options for my trip, I was in a similar situation. Reliable warm water at depth in California is probably a unicorn hunt, but there is warmer. That's why I picked the California Southern Channel Islands for my trip, and over in the late summer. You can get to the Channel Islands from a variety of places - Santa Barbara, Ventura, the L.A. area...

For that region, though, in light of what you've explained about your cold tolerance, I suspect a dry suit will be life changing for you, and the sooner you bite the bullet and get trained and comfortable in one, the happier you will be. You'll have more options over a larger portion of the year and a higher comfort level.

Richard.

 

[Fin Finder]

I'm a long time So Cal diver, and many of the divers I know have moved here from other parts of the country or the world. Some adapt to the colder water, some don't. As I've said before, if you dive here long enough the part of your brain that senses cold dies.

Mylee, I see a drysuit in your future. My diving is split pretty evenly between a drysuit and a 7mm wetsuit (including a hood, gloves, booties, and open-heel fins). On a typical dive boat you'll see about half the divers in drysuits these days. Drysuits are expensive, often require custom fitting, take some time to "break in", and training is recommended, but it's all well worth it when water temps range 54f to 62f. It's not uncommon to hear divers scream "I love my drysuit" or just as often "I hate my drysuit".

Surf entries and exists are the biggest challenge to divers new to this area, but Mylee, you've already said that shore diving is not of interest to you, so I'll skip that for now.

Read the recent posts by drrich2 on the So Cal board. They are the most comprehensive explanations of our local conditions and methods of dive boat operation that I've seen written from the perspective of a diver new to So Cal diving. I can also second turnburgler's suggestion to try the Casino Point dive park. It's a shore dive, but it's an east facing entry so surf is usually not an issue. The park has all the best elements of So Cal diving in one easy place.

Finding buddies can be a challenge here. I'd suggest joining a dive club. Many scuba shops support a dive club, and there are even some new web based clubs. Generally, California divers are friendly, and you'll probably make some contacts on the dive boats. But if you go alone on a dive boat you may find some reluctance from other divers to take you on as a buddy, so take a friend or be honest about the level of your skills with the crew and other divers.

There's a boat out of Oxnard (about an hour south of Santa Barbara) called the Spectre [link: Spectre Dive Boat, California Scuba Diving]. The Spectre regularly visits two of the Northern Channel Islands (Anacapa and Santa Cruz), and specializes in day trips for beginner and intermediate divers. I've been on this boat many times and I recommend it highly.

I've heard it said that if you can dive in California you can dive anywhere in the world.
So, I hope you find a way to dive with us. There are some truly amazing things, and some great new friends, waiting for you here. Good luck.

 

[Ojai Diver]

Last time I checked, the Spectre was out of Ventura, not Oxnard.

 

[Fin Finder]

Last time I checked, the Spectre was out of Ventura, not Oxnard.

Ya, you're right.
I just like saying "Oxnard".

 

[muzikbiz22]

If you are wanting to dive Catalina often, look at the LA/OC areas. Lots of boats do Catalina Island all the time out of Long Beach, San Pedro, etc. You would also be close to Laguna Beach, arguably the most popular shore diving. With that said, where are you moving FROM ? You're aware of real estate/cost of living/gas prices here ??

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

Hi Mylee, I get cold also despite my natural insulation, but I enjoy it for the most part. Semi dry would be good for you if you don't tolerate the cold well. I suppose further south (San Deigo) its warmer, but you would still need a 7ml at least.

In So Cal an hour drive really depends on what time you are driving . Los Angeles is #1 for worst traffic city in USA. We're # 1!!! With an average of 81 hours spent in traffic. Some studies show us at number 2 but hey we are on the podium.

If you are boat diving I would suggest you book and extra 1/2 hour for the drive for those just in case moments. Week days of course are the most challenging.

Getting in a dive club will really help as they often have trips that are a tad cheaper if you are a member. For example my club membership includes $10 off each club boat dive, 10 free tanks/or 5 nitrox. This easily pays for the membership. I think it was like $30 or 40 for a family plan (me and hubby). Also if you are carpooling with other members you save on gas, parking fees, and have company if you're stuck in traffic.

Casino point in catalina is usually easy and beautiful, its considered a shore dive with a short flight of steps into the water. Its about 1 hr ride from LA/OC areas on the express, a little longer on the flyer. Many nice dive friendly hotels there.

Musikbiz22 is right, it's pretty pricey closer to the beach, or cheap (scary) depending on the neighborhood.