SoCal Dive Safari - San Diego to Big Sur Info Req.

[sapphire]

Shaka, If you time it right and are going to tour Hearst Castle, try to make the evening tour. They have people dressed in the period hanging around the house. very cool.

The only time I was there was right between Christmas and New Year's, and it was also all decorated for the holidays. They may do that early -- and it was really lovely! I agree with Todd that the period costume tour is worth it!

Jennifer

 

[jetfixer]

The only time I was there was right between Christmas and New Year's, and it was also all decorated for the holidays. They may do that early -- and it was really lovely! I agree with Todd that the period costume tour is worth it!

Jennifer

I bet that was nice! The period thing is the most charming part of the castle in my opinion. Not much of a castle comparitively, if you watch MTV Cribs. Have fun Shaka, wish I could join ya. That Jade Cave sounds great. http://www.saintbrendan.com/cdnfeb/montery2.html

 

[ShakaZulu]

I can help you on Santa Barbara area.

Mesa Lane is the best shore dive around this area. Even when other places around get poor 2' vis, you can still get a good 10+ feet. Tons of things to see and it is very three dimensional. Only problem is that darn 150-step stairway. You have to walk full gear down and full gear + water (+ maybe a few bugs *hint*: ) up that 150 steps. No facilities. But since it is really close to downtown (2 miles at most), most likely very close to where you will be staying, you can go back and rinse off. Here is the direction: http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/CalM/Mesa_Lane/index.htm

Second dive site I would recommend is Tajigas, which is two miles north from Refugio State beach, or 20 miles from downtown. Very easy access. There is a thick kelp bed at the west end of the beach. Bring your dive light even during the day. And don't go if you are not comfortable with kelp diving. Lots of fish to see. No facilites. Drive on HW101N, after passed the Refugio state beach exit, make a (legal) U turn when possible. Drive about 50 yards on 101S, and you will see an open dirt ground, where you can park your car at. Back up your car all the way to the end and you will see the path to the beach.

Others, Refugio beach, Goleta beach, campus point... you can look them up at www.shorediving.com to get the idea.

Tank fill: a few on downtown SB side street, one of them is
Anacapa Dive Center
22 Anacapa St.,
Santa Barbara, CA
(805) 963-8917

One on old town Goleta
5822 Hollister Ave.
Goleta, CA 93117
Tel. (805) 967-4456

Santa Barbara is a tourist town, so at least you don't need to worry about your mom getting bored.

Are you available as a dive buddy Friday Morning 11/19??? The plan now stand for Mesa Lane

 

[desert camel]

Are you available as a dive buddy Friday Morning 11/19??? The plan now stand for Mesa Lane

I would love to. But the problem is now I live in Thousand Oaks and have to work during the week. You can ask two local dive clubs also to see if anybody can go with you: UCSB SCUBA club and Paradise Dive Club. Search Google and you should be able to find their contact info. Good luck.

 

[scottfiji]

I would love to. But the problem is now I live in Thousand Oaks and have to work during the week. You can ask two local dive clubs also to see if anybody can go with you: UCSB SCUBA club and Paradise Dive Club. Search Google and you should be able to find their contact info. Good luck.

sb_diver is active on this board, and lives in santa barbara; I think he's still in school, he might be able to go. I would try contacting him.

And then there is always the Gimp.

 

[ShakaZulu]

Awesome, I contacted Dan at Paradize Dive club in Santa Babara, and he offer to take me out Friday morning to Tajiguas.

http://kelp.chem.ucsb.edu/

 

[ShakaZulu]

Due to the fact that I got a cold right before I left, this turned out to be more of a road trip than a dive safari. Not to worry, I'll do this again in the summer with a dive buddy. Missed the Hearst Castle show by 30 minutes, will do it next time...........

Some pics of my trip.

http://www.geocities.com/roy.rodgers/Road_Trip.html

 

[headhunter]

Due to the fact that I got a cold right before I left, this turned out to be more of a road trip than a dive safari. Not to worry, I'll do this again in the summer with a dive buddy. Missed the Hearst Castle show by 30 minutes, will do it next time...........

Some pics of my trip.

http://www.geocities.com/roy.rodgers/Road_Trip.html

Nice pics Shaka!

It was nice meeting your mom. Sean got a nice picture of her at the Wrinkles Dive.

Christian