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



Located directly offshore from the end of Hawthorne Blve. in Rancho Palos Verdes. The site used to be called Barber Pole for a line up that used to be at Golden Shores shopping Center.

Hawthorne Reef is also known as Barber Pole.

Rancho Palos Verdes

Hawthorne Reef

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.

Underwater Arch

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

Steep hike over slippery sand, then entry over shallow, slippery rocks. There is nice snorkeling available along the shoreline and a small kelp forest in the middle of the cove. The best diving is on the reef beyond the cove. The high spot breaks the surface at low tide. Follow this reef south and you will find overhangs, walls, lobsters, sponges, fish and nudibranchs. The east side of the reef has vertical walls as high as fifteen feet. The reef continues to eighty feet where it ends at the sand.

Located in the posh Palos Verdes area, grab your street map and follow along:  From the Pacific Coast Highway, head South on Palos Verdes Blvd for 1.4 miles.  Turn right on Palos Verdes Drive West.   In 3.8 miles, turn right on Paseo Lunado which becomes Paseo Del Mar.  You'll see the park on your right.

Christmas Tree Cove

Easy entry/exit in high tides, outgoing tides bring shallow slippery rocks to cross. Viz is excellent at times up to 40ft. Shallow over-all cove, reaching to only 40ft deep in the farther reaches of the kelp. Boat traffic can be close to the outer kelp so be careful there! Lots of marine life! 

One cove south of Lanuda Bay, in Palos Verdes, watch the hike down as it is steep, and yet soft in spots and like walking on marbles in others. 7mins down. 3 anchor points to attach a line to, sometimes a line is at the bottom. Balance is a good thing to have, sure footing! 

Honeymoon cove

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

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

From outside of the heavy kelp canopy anchor west or northwest of the point. Reefs are rocky shelved and gradually flat, filled with fish and crustaceans in certain times of the year. The wreck SS Dominator grounded in heavy fog March 13 1961 having no modern navigation equipment and getting stranded on the reef, carrying 10,000+ tons of wheat and beef, heavy surf, wind and high tide prevented it's recovery. 2 days of trying the crew abandoned ship  It was a WWII Liberty Ship 441 ft long by 57 feet wide. As of now the wreckage is almost gone by eroding forces and salvage. Under water there are only traces of metal scattered. Sections of bilge room may still be found. The overall area is excellent diving, thick kelp forests.  

long and I mean real long hike over steep rock cliffs make this an excellent boat dive. Coming from Marina Del Rey it's about 13 miles and from San Pedro it's 13-14 miles. The closest is Redondo Beach's Kings Harbour at 5 miles (it only has a hoist there for private non resident boat entries.)The spot is basically around Rocky Point. 

S.S. Dominator is also known as Rocky Point Palos Verdes.

S.S. Dominator

invertebrates, sheepshead

Short walk from Parking Lot

Abalone Cove

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

Of Palos Verdes.

S.S. Avalon Wreck

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.

Hawthorne Reef

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Hawthorne Reef