California has three beautiful diving regions.

The North coast region is renowned for lush, moist forests of the world's tallest trees, coastal bluffs, secluded coves and wildlife areas. From the pristine beaches and coves of Carmel by the Sea and Monterey Bay, the coastline includes numerous dive locations North of San Francisco, all the way to Mendocino and Crescent City. Each site offers its unique underwater topography and associated marine life.

The California mid region includes diving locations from South of Pt. Lobos State Park (Carmel by the Sea) to Laguna Beach. This long stretch of beautiful beaches can be categorized as open-water diving, with some protected coves and inlets. Capitalizing on optimal weather as well as observing tides and current conditions are crucial to an enjoyable dive experience.

The California South listings include the greater San Diego area (Pt. Loma North to La Jolla) continuing up through Orange County to Laguna Beach. Each ShoreDiving location has unique conditions -- and beauty!

As always, check with your local resources for exact local conditions for the ultimate safe and rewarding dive experience.

California

Los Angeles County

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States



The Radio Tower rests on its side in 100 feet less than a mile off Pt. Fermin. There is some debate as to what the tower actually was, but there is no debate about what a great site it is. 
Metridium anemones hang from nets and lines draped across the legs of the tower. Fish, sponges, anemones and nudibranchs cover every inch of the tower.

Los Angeles

Radio Tower

Although the visibility is usually poor here, at times it can be good enough to have a great dive. It is the easiest access in Los Angeles county. Little to no surf, packed sand and the reef begins a short distance from shore. Showers and restrooms are right next to the sand. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is an interesting visit after diving. It is filled with the local marine life you may have encountered under water. The boat launch at the northeast end of the parking lot has nudibranchs atop the kelp next to the dock in the spring and summer.
The best diving is at the outer edge of the kelp, beyond the swim buoy. It's a long swim, but there is an old military wreck in the middle of the kelp and the low-lyiing reefs are filled with clams, fish, sea lions and harbor seals. Gray whales pass by in the winter and can be seen from shore. Dolphins swim in the kelp most mornings and evenings.
For non-divers there is a fishing pier, the aquarium, parks with playground equipment and tidepools to explore along the base of the cliff.

Take Stephan White Drive from Pacific Avenue in San Pedro.

Cabrillo Beach

There's something for everyone at White Point.  Beginner and expert divers will find interesting underwater vistas to explore.  Ship wrecks and old construction have left bits and pieces of history strewn through the area.  Plus, reefs and kelp around the point are harbors for the elusive critters.

The Big Attraction here is the Warm Water Vents in the Shallows. About 50 Yards out you'll find areas with almost no growth and a mixed White and Black Sandy Bottom. You may see "Murky Water" in these areas as well. If so, you're over the vents - Try taking your Gloves off and putting them in the sand, you'll feel the Heat - It's pretty Cool (or is that Hot)!

Expect to see Bat Stars, Sea Cucumbers, Moray eels and lots of Nudibranchs as you venture away from the Vents. Go a little Deeper and East and you'll run into Kelp and Rock outcrops loaded with goodies.
The best diving is in the kelp bed about 200 yards east of the cove, Rock formations with dramatic overhangs, schools of fish darting throughout the kelp, barracuda, Giant Seabass, lobster, large sand rose anemones and batrays can be found here.
Entry in the cove can be tough. Slippery rocks and shallow water extends more than sixty feet from shore. It is best to dive here at high tide.
The park is closed at night, but you can enter via the fire road east of the baseball field and enter the water on either side of the point.
Two thousand feet offshore is a beautiful reef with several species of sponges, different nudibranchs than those found inshore and various rockfish. The reef is about thirty feet wide and one hundred feet long and rises twenty feet above the sand. There are smaller rocks about fifty feet NE of White Point Rock.

The only location on Palos Verdes Peninsula with parking right by the water. Swim approx 200 yards straight out at 40' depth.

1.5 miles East of the junction of I-110 and the Pacific Coast Highway, take Western Ave South toward the ocean.  In about 5.5 miles, it will merge with West Paseo Del Mar.  You'll see the view of the following picture.

White Point

Access from shore involse a car shuttle and a long hike down a gated dirt road. The diving is shallow with little to no visibility, but when the vis is good you will find fish and nudibranchs galore. Hopkin's Rose nudis are on nearly every rock in 5-10 feet of water. 

From the locked gate at Portugese Bend, the dirt road winds its way down to the cliff below. Entry is from the gravel beach.

Archery Range is also known as Portugese Bend.

Archery Range

invertebrates, sheepshead

Short walk from Parking Lot

Abalone Cove

Lobsters some crab and small fish. Kelp at the top of the breakwall, deep silt at the bottom. Recommended that you leave someone onboard the boat while diving, as the silt doesn't hold the anchor in moderate wind. Dive flag required due to heavy boat traffic. The Los Angeles Federal breakwater at Angel's Gate (Los Angeles Harbor) is also nice. Lots of lobster in the rocks, but not as many nudibranchs as the Long Beach breakwater at Queen's Gate (Long Beach Harbor)

Long Beach Harbor Entrance

Long Beach Breakwater

On December 6, 2003 the commercial fishing boat Jenny Lynne sank off Long Point, Rancho Palos Verdes. The owner, Vito Terzoli said the boat began taking on water and sank shortly after its crew was picked up by another boat, the San Pedro Pride. Rumors swirled about insurance scamming, but no charges were ever brought.
The wreck sits in 145 feet on its starboard side. Rigging and nets still cover the wreck, but metridium anemones and rockfish soon took over the wreck.
Visibility is usually poor, but can be over thirty feet at times.



Jenny Lynne

Rocky exit and entry with three distinct dive areas. The near shore reef, known as the Garden is shallow with kelp, sand and the usual reef animals. The 120 Reef is located 120 degrees from the beach. It has more sponges and fish than the Garden and is a relatively short swim from shore. It is a good beginners spot. The Point, in front of the Terranea Hotel is the highlight of Marineland. Pinnacles, gorgonians, dozens of species of nudibranchs and much more invertebrate life than the 120 Reef.

Interests: Nudibranchs (especially between 40 & 65ft off the point), Octopus, Blennies & Sculpins on the shallow pinnacles near the point The reefs consist of large pinnacles covered with invertebrates. Healthy Sea fans with colorful Gorgonians are prolific, Rockfish, Lingcod, Cabezon, Scorpionfish and many schooling fish can be found here. An occasional Bat Ray, Sea-lion, Torpedo Ray, or Guitarfish will often surprise the diver.

Terranea Resort, formerly Marineland of the Pacific. 6610 Palos Verdes Drive South, east of Point Vicente Lighthouse. By boat or alternate access, walk in!

Marineland is also known as Old Marineland.

Marineland

UB88 was a WWI German submarine sunk after the war in 1921

Approx six miles off Pt. Fermin.

UB88

Pinnacles rising from the depths up to just a few feet below the surface. Invertebrates everywhere. Pelagics occur often. I've seen two Thresher sharks here.

Boat only. Because of heavy boat traffic a dive flag is required.

Pt. Vicente Pinnacles is also known as Whale Rock.

Pt. Vicente Pinnacles

Under water arch large enough to drive a car through. The reef is coverd with sponges, nudibranchs and scallops.

Treacherous hike and very long swim. Best dived from a boat.

Underwater Arch is also known as Neptune Cove.

Radio Tower

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Radio Tower