California Diving

[scubadobadoo]

Hello Fellow Divers,

My girlfriend and I are traveling to Los Angeles area the first week of July. We're looking to dive while we are there but would like some references on good sites to try in that area. We're from Florida so we are not going to be use to the colder water and deeper depths but still want to be adventurous without heightened safety issues. We do not have our advanced open water cert. and don't really want to dive deeper than 100'. I know this is limiting are selves but want to be conservative. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Terry

Terry,

I just visited LA a few weeks ago from NYC. I, however, am originally from Florida. I found myself in the same "boat" as you. I'll start by saying that this SoCal forum is filled with super nice people all willing to share time to go diving with you. They all seem to generally be interested in showing off SoCal diving to the rest of us. That's the good news. The bad news is that shore diving in SoCal can be tough even in what most SoCal folks would call GOOD conditions. All of the dives I had planned with the great gang from this forum were cancelled due to weather, surf, nasty brown water, or my/our lack of experience. You will be taking a big chance if you only plan on shore diving on the mainland, as stated before. Even on a nice day conditions can still make shore diving in Cally very hard for those not used to it. My wife is twice the diver I am in the water, but my strength gives me an avantage out of the water in surf that my petite wife doesn't have, until she gains more experience. Just a thought. Not female bashing, but my wife just didn't want to make some of the dives we tried because she didn't feel comfortable, and I agreed with her. Add to that, colder water, lower viz and thicker wet suits, and more weight than Florida. My point is that people who were trained and dive in SoCal conditions have a dif. perception of what bad conditions are.

SO, what am I trying to say? If you have plenty of time, then try shore diving. I highly suggest Redondo Beach. I did it and it was the easiest of all the places I attempted but still a challenge with some surf and low visibility and deep. Oh, and a long walk to the water down stairs (and then up the stairs after the dive). Shore diving in Cally generally means walking in your gear, sometimes over rocks and boulders for some distance.

I also highly suggest a day trip to Catalina Island as many have. We had a blast and diving was pretty easy there. Plus, gear rental and air fills right by the water. And, the price is right. Shore diving on Catalina really isn't comparable (in most cases) to shore diving on the mainland. In our case, it was easier and the visibility was very good.

Now, boat diving may be another option. We didn't do it, but it will be the easiest to deal with in terms of gear and time. Money may be a factor. Just be sure to tell the boat what kind of diving you WANT to do and hopefully they should accomodate. Another advantage of boat diving is knowing you will have someone to help you both out in a new environment. Good luck and have fun! We did! Keep in mind that my post is mostly focusing on the negatives of shore diving in So Cal from a first timer's view. When conditions are right, I would rather shore dive than boat dive any day. Just a personal choice. BTW, we never went deeper than 60 feet.

 

[kelpmermaid]

Just thinking - Casino Point can get nuts on summer weekends, so if timing allows a mid-week trip, you might have less "traffic" in the park and shorter waits for airfills.

 

[BlueDolphin]

If you can stay in Ventura, you can get decent hotels there, and the old downtown area will have lots to do in the evenings. Then use the boats out of Ventura Harbor to take in the Channel Islands. You will enjoy the diving out there. The wildlife will surprise you. I was blown away. The diving is very easy, and you will not be dissapointed. You will be diving 35ft - 50ft.

If you can swing the cost, you might consider staying at the Mandalay Beach resort hotel in Mandalay beach, and be only 5 minutes or so from the Ventura Harbor. It is a pretty nice hotel.

This is IMO much more laid back than down in the Long Beach area. If you have the time..... a drive up to Santa Barbara on a Sunday can be a blast. There are lots of sidewalk sales, and lots of shopping on STATE street.

Being in Ventura, you have access to the small quaint town of OJAI which has one of the finest restaurants you will ever find anywhere THE RANCH HOUSE. Don't let the name fool you. They grow their own herbs, and have been visited from folks from all around the globe. You will find it one of the finest dining experiences to be found anywhere.

Be sure to plan a picnic day and head up to the old "Cross" in Ventura, to sit on the grass hill overlooking the coast (AND the Islands). This is best done during the week days.

Ojai Ranch House (Must Try) Their website has the actual menu shown so that you can pick what you want to eat and how much you want to spend even before you leave for your trip! The atmosphere is one to be remembered.

Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort Some of the bungalo suites have fireplaces, and there is nothing like opening the french doors out to the beach with the sound of the ocean to put you to sleep. There are NO other hotels along this beach and you just walk out to the ocean from the hotel as it is right on the beach. The pool area is quite nice as it has waterfalls, and lots of rock formations with a hidden spa or two. At this hotel you are also only a walk away from Channel Islands harbor and about 100 yards or so from my house. You can usually catch me out on my deck having breakfast. (there are two harbors - Ventura Harbor and Channel Islands harbor. The boats leave from Ventura Harbor). In the Channel Islands harbor you will find lots of great places to eat. Both the LOBSTER TRAP and the WHALES TAIL restaurants offer fantastic harbor view seating and great food. You can also rent a sailboat for a few hours if you sail (another nice picnic idea). Or give me a shout and I'll give you a lil private boat tour of the harbor. July 4th we have a fantastic fireworks display right over the Channel Islands Harbor. I either watch from my deck or go out on a boat to see the show.

Not sure how many days you have, and if you are coming during the 4th of not. If you don't have a hotel you may want to get on that right away as that week will likely be pretty busy.

All of this is about an hour north from LAX. If you have the funds and are adventurous you could fly into Oxnard airport from LAX. But the drive up from LAX along the coast through Malibu, would be a better way to see the area.