Where do the Beginners Dive?

My girlfriend kathleen_c and I recently got certified through PADI at a LDS called Aquatic Dreams in Modesto. We have been trying to dive for weeks but the conditions in Monterey have been no good. We go to school at UC Merced but we live in Orange County and San Diego. We are trying to find a place to dive that easy and will be fun for our first ocean dive.
Thank you.

Cozumel. it's warm. awesome and a vacation all in one.

Haha sorry, I meant where is a beginner spot to dive in So Cal. I would love to go to Cozumel but the funds will not allow it. :/

I would do a boat dive over to Catalina. There are several dive boats to choose from. Or you can take the ferry over and shore dive there. The boat diving, to me, is easier than shore diving for a beginner.
And if you are a big nervous, since you are just certified, then pay an instructor or DM to dive with you. It will be worth the extra $$.
Great Escape Dive Boat from LongBeach area
Magician Dive Boat San Pedro CA ditto
Catalina Scuba Luv (on Catalina)

robin

I would love to take a boat but we are trying to learn how to shore dive that way we can dive Breakwater and Lobos and stuff in Monterey. We are just looking for an easy beginners spot located on the beach. I am sorry if I am being a pain haha.

For the absolute EASIEST shore dive, go to the Casino Point dive park in Catalina! Casino Point There are always other divers there, and often this is where instructors take their beginners for their first ocean dives so on weekends you'll see a lot of classes.

You have to take the ferry there, and it can be a schlep, but it's definitely the easiest shore diving around.

If you don't want to deal with the schlep, there's lots of shore diving all over SoCal. I'm sure others with more knowledge of diving in OC and SD will answer (I'm up in Ventura County), but I'll start it off with this: shore diving is always more challenging than boat diving (getting dumped by waves is not fun when you're a newbie -actually, it's not fun EVER!). So I wouldn't say that any beach diving sites are "easy". But it sure is cheaper! Laguna Beach has some very nice shore diving with relatively easy entry points, when the conditions are good. I'm partial to Heisler Park. Just watch out for the surf - as a new diver, I would avoid going in when the waves are any higher than ankle-slappers, until you have more experience.

If your wallet can handle it, I would do your first few ocean dives either at Casino Point, or off a dive boat. There are a number of awesome dive boats in the SD area - here's a great link that tells you about ALL of the dive boats in California: California Dive Boats : The Official Page

For shore diving, be sure to read the excellent sticky at the top of this forum: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/263669-so-whens-best-time-dive-particular-shore-site.html

Welcome to diving!

Thank you for the info! I will do some more research on Laguna Beach and Heisler Park.
I want everyone's opinion.
But cash is definitely a problem haha.

Shaw's Cove in Laguna Beach and Veteran's Park in Redondo Beach are two very good locations for beginning divers.

Shaw's Cove is probably your best bet.