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



park at end of lot walk past rock climbing wall to a smaller beach and enter to the left of that beach, continue to rock formations that are less then 50 yards out to dive site

Point Dume is also known as Point Dume Pinnacles.

Malibu

Point Dume

This site has beautiful rock formations and lots of life. This site is extremely beautiful.

Gear up in the parking lot. It cost 2 dollars to park. There are bathrooms in the parking lot and 1/2 mile down the driveway or stairs. At the end of the driveway there are showers, too. You can go straight out from the stairs or enter to the right, down the path. The rock formation is about 72 yards out. The depth ranges from 20-40 feet. The conditions can be very calm and one day extremely ruff. This site is one of the more beautiful sights in California.

Nicholas Canyon

This dive site is well off the beaten path, and relatively undisturbed.  A reef and some kelp are found close to shore with excellent diving just beyond.

Just East of Point Mugu State Park; 3.2 miles West of Mulholland Highway intersection with the Pacific Coast Highway (1); and 18 miles West of Malibu.

Deer Creek Beach



The Star of Scotland sits in 75 feet about a mile off the Santa Monica Pier. During the summer it is home to more than two dozen giant sea bass.
Visibility is usually poor, but can reach thirty feet or more during good conditions.

Star of Scotland

Sand with Halibut and Rays. Some crabs

Just south of Imperial Avenue

Dockweiler Beach State Park

Surplus US Navy barge added to the artificial reef in 1974. Gorgonians, simnia snails and a few nudibranchs on the barge, but the big attraction here is the ever-present sea lions.



Redondo Beach Artificial Reef is also known as Redondo Barge.

Redondo Beach Artificial Reef

Please visit the California Wreck Divers info page:
http://www.cawreckdivers.org/Wrecks/Palawan.htm
for site information.



Palawan

269' passenger steam steel ship; sunk september 16th, 1964.

Of Palos Verdes.

S.S. Avalon Wreck

Swim straight out from the stairs near the restrooms until you are parallel to the end of the pier. Dropping down here will put you within just a few kicks of the drop-off. About 100 feet north of the stairs in 45 feet is an area known as the Salad Bowl. There is kelp and detritus where you can find dozens of nudibranchs, shrimp, isopods, octopus and many small fish.
At the south end of the beach are submerged pier pilings coverd with anemones and invertebrates.

Located at the intersection of Pearl Street and Esplanade, the parking lot at Veteran's Park has plentiful metered spaces. Stairs to the beach are located at the Southwest end of the lot.

Veteran's Park

Haggerty's Crane is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, California, LA County, Redondo   Palos Verdes which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Haggerty's Crane

Former US Navy Landing Craft Mechanical possibly used by Al Kidman to salvage the Dominator wreck. Not much remains of the wreck, but what is there is home to a small collection of marinelife. Octopus, Blacksmith and Giant Sea Bass make the landing craft home.



Point Dume

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Point Dume