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

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 Southern site at the Historic Park is a much easier site for entry, but you'll need to kick out a bit to reach the more interesting rocky cliff area.

For a scenic ride, take Highway 116 off 101 to the town Jenner.  Head North for about 13 miles, and turn left into the Fort Ross State Historic Park.  When you reach the actual Fort, turn right down a gravel road heading to the bluffs, and wind your way down to the beach.

Fort Ross South

Breakwater Cove is another popular dive site.  Parking can be limited, so get there early.  This is a wonderful place to get a glimpse of sea lions, octopus, and other marine creatures.  The best diving is on the outer side of breakwater.  Beware of kelp and boats!

In Monterey, heading West on Del Monte, bear right onto Lighthouse Ave, then bear right onto Foam St.  Make a right onto Cannery Row.

Breakwater Cove

The access path leads down  the cliff to a rocky staging area just above the dive site.  The dive site is a tricky rocky entry for intermediate to advanced divers only.  This is an OCEAN EXPOSED dive site, so, conditions can change rapidly.  Be prepared for anything, and, don't get in on a questionable day. However, once you're in the water, this dive site is well worth the effort.  Rocky reefs, deep shore diving (60-90 feet) and a rich giant kelp forest are all within easy reach once you are in the water at this site.  Bring two or three tanks, and, take your time getting your gear down to the staging area in multiple trips before suiting up to avoid injuries.

See http://www.saintbrendan.com/cdnsept00/mont9.html for additional information.  This site is located just south of Carmel Proper, on Scenic Drive just north of Stewart Way.  Proceed South on HWY 1 to Carpenter.  Turn right on Carpenter to the For Way Stop at Ocean Avenue.  Turn right on Ocean Ave. and follow it all the way down to Scenic.  If you miss the left turn onto Scenic, one of two things will happen.  Either your car will become hopelessly trapped in the sand, or you will need a regulator to exit your car. (In other words, if you go too far on Ocean, you will be in the ocean).  Follow Scenic around until you can see a house that has a roofline that looks like a giant butterfly.  That is the dive site.  The access path is about 100 feet back towards Carmel.

Butterfly House

Cannery Park (also called San Carlos Beach) is just West of the Breakwater dive site.  This is a nice place for a second dive, and to get away from the crowd at Breakwater.  The dive area is mainly sandy, so expect to see the occasional Halibut.

In Monterey, heading West on Del Monte, bear right onto Lighthouse Ave, then bear right onto Foam St.  Make a right onto Cannery Row.

Cannery Park

Here are two of my favorite dive spots, in between Christmas Tree Cove and White Point.
As you head south on Palos Verdes Drive West from Lunada Bay (where Christmas Tree cove) is located, right after the Coast Guard's Pt. Vincente lighthouse, you will come to a tall hill, and "Palos Verdes Drive West" becomes "Palos Verdes Drive South". On the Southside of that hill is a parking lot, with restrooms, marking the "Pt. Vincente Fish Access", known to the locals as "Cardiac Hill" There is a steep, but wide, trail to the bottom of the cliff, and a good dive once you get to the beach. Similar to Christmas Tree, but it gets more people-pressure because of the easier access.
And further East along Palos Verdes Drive South is the entrance to Old Marineland. A truly wonderful dive spot, with some well-populated rock reefs. There is a gradual, dirt road down to an easy-entry beach on the East end, or for the more advanced/experienced (and depending on the swells), a rock entry on the West end. Developers have their eye on this property, so I don't know how much longer it will stay open, but we should enjoy it while it is.



Cardiac Hill

Carmel Point can be a difficult dive if the conditions are not perfect.  For the best diving, you will need to swim for the point where current and swells could greet you.  Plan your dive with someone experienced.

Carmel Point is located at the Southern end of the Carmel Beach City Park, which lines the whole city front.  From Highway 1, take Ocean Ave. West to sea.  Turn left on Scenic Road, and continue to the end of the beach.

Carmel Point

This is the Northern most dive site of the Carmel River State Beach, and is slightly protected from the Northern swells.  Watch the current as your round the rocky point.

Carmel Point is located at the Southern end of the Carmel.  From Highway 1, take Ocean Ave or 13th Ave toward the sea.  Turn left on Scenic Road, and continue to the Southern intersection of Ocean View Ave.  You will overlook the beach to your right.

Carmel River North

60' - 100' Viz! ~800' depth. Giant granite walls and lots of fish. 6,223' above sea level.  40-50 degF, so bring your dry suit!

Lake Tahoe.  Contacts: Sierra Diving Center 775-825-2147 (Reno) or Adventure Scuba 775-826-5333 (in Reno) or Tropical Penguins 775-828-3483 (Reno) or Strictly Scuba 775-884-3483 (Carson City)

Carnelian Bay, Tahoe

Caspar Bay is an easy dive on all levels.  If you're looking for Abalone, try the Southern side of the bay.

About 5 miles South of Fort Bragg on Highway 1, head West on Point Cabrillo Drive (located on the South side of the Cabrillio River Bridge)

Caspar Bay

Coral Street can be a technical dive if the conditions aren't just right.  The kelp growth in August and September can be daunting, and the currents can catch you by surprise.  Plan this dive with a dive shop, and take a buddy with you who has been here before.  Do take your camera, as the macro life is spectacular! Entry can be tricky at low tide, with exposed shallow rocks and abundance of kelp and sea grasses. Once in deeper water you will find a large kelp forest fringing sand channels and walls and pinnacles. Look for remnants of John Denver's airplane.

In Monterey, heading West on Del Monte, bear right onto Lighthouse Ave, then bear right onto Foam St.  Make a right onto David Ave, then a left onto Ocean View Blvd.  Continue past Lover's Point Park, and about 1/2 mile beyond, you'll find the Ocean View and  Coral Street intersection.

Coral Street Beach

This is the Northern most site at Fort Ross.  It is technically more challenging than the Southern site due to the hike and the rocky entry.<br><br>Notes from Paul Schmitt to a boater's question: There is a boat launch at Timber Cove a few miles north of Fort Ross State Park. I do not suggest taking a 14 foot aluminum boat as the wind usually blows from the north to the south and picks up late in the morning and really starts blowing hard in the afternoon. An Avon rubber boat is much safer. They will launch the boat for you at Timber cove. I haven't been to Fort Ross for a few years and it seems to me they have stopped all traffic down to the beach. Another outstanding state park with a boat launch is just north of Timber Cove at Salt Point. Timber Cove and Salt Point are usually populated with  experienced divers on the week end. Take some time and talk to the divers down on the beach for current conditions and advice. Please note the seas and weather off the north coast of  California can be very dangerous, especially if you are not familiar with the area. While diving from shore at the park may be a pain, it is much safer than attempting it in a small boat.

For a scenic ride, take Highway 116 off 101 to the town Jenner.  Head North for about 13 miles, and turn left into the Fort Ross State Historic Park.  You'll see this site before you get to the Fort.

Fort Ross North

You've got 20 minutes to unload your gear, then park back by the Fort.

Sand beach and protected cove make for an easy entry.

With the Fort in the background, this is the gravel road you'll take down to the beach.

The water can be cloudy from the beach, so just kick out for a while until you reach the clear water.

To the right of the above photo.

While diving for abalone, two Harbor Seals made contact in a playful manner and made the dive.  Didn't see much for abs; didn't see much of anything past 3'.  But it was more calm than Gerstle Cove and should prove to be a very nice spot on the good vis days.

This is a nice site if you are interested in marine life... that is, take it slow and really look.  Not a great place for a sightseeing dive at a fast swimming pace - vis and surge usually prevent that.

Fort Ross South

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Fort Ross South