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

Mono 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

Its 7900 ft elevation with late summer surface temps in the 60's with extreme thermoclines at varying depths. Access to the rocky shores by car are possible if scouted alittle. Visibility after 30ft deep is quite low. Sometimes the surface vis is gin clear. Trout, crawdads are part of the aquatic life. There is a winter closure. 

Dive access to June Lake can be from Hwy 395 to Hwy 158 going west on June Lake Loop. Go into the campground area for beach entry or the Marina for Dock entry or boat use. Diving is all around the Lake. 

June Lake

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! A freshwater, high altitude dive with not much marine life but unbelievable visibility.

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)

Zephyr Cove, Tahoe

An interesting fresh water altitude dive with excellent visability, there is not much marine life, though the underwater forest is great to see.



Emerald bay is also known as Lake Tahoe.

Emerald bay

This is an interesting fresh water altitude dive with not much marine life, just the occasional lake trout. The things to be careful of here is the depth, the cliff runs from above the water line to an amazing 1500+ feet..



Rubicon Point is also known as Lake Tahoe.

Rubicon Point

Nice dive sight. Large boulders. Smooth sand bottom. Good area for students.

$8.00 fee to park.

Sand Harbor is also known as Diver's Cove.

Sand Harbor

Sparks Marina

Folsom Lake is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, California which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Folsom Lake

Monterey State Beach (also called Del Monte, named after the adjacent road) is a perfect place for new divers.  Restrooms, showers, and picnic areas make this a great place to spend the day.  You may want to dive this site on a weekday, or arrive very early on a weekend.  The parking can be almost impossible otherwise.  Be prepared to spot octopus and flounder!

From Highway 1 in Monterey, take the Camino Aguajito exit North.  You'll see the Park at the intersection of Del Monte Ave.

Monterey State Beach

In many areas the rock blocks are covered with a lush carpet of strawberry anemones, which make interesting subjects for macro photography. Numerous fish eating anemones with their bright red bases, as well as the large green anemones are common near the end of the breakwater, along with some mighty big sea stars. One of the most beautiful creatures found here are the nudibranchs. Members of the dorid family are very common and can be seen grazing on sponges. This group of nudibranchs includes the bright yellow lemon nudibranch, the white-and-black ringed dorid, and the orange-spots-on-white clown nudibranch. The generally more colorful and ostentatious group, the aeolids, are also quite common here including the thick-horned aeolid.

One of the biggest attractions that the Breakwater has to offer is its large colony of California sea lions. The last half of the breakwater is not accessible to people and is a favorite haul-out of these large and noisy mammals. Their barking can be heard for some distance both above and below the water. Divers can get a close up look of the herd as the sea lions sun themselves and an even closer look underwater. While normally shy when on land, the sea lions are at home in the water and lose much of their fear of people. The sea lions will normally dive down and investigate divers. They sometimes charge a diver at full speed, only to veer off at the moment before contact. They also seem to have great fun barking underwater, leaving a belch of bubbles in their wake.

At the base of the breakwater stretches a sand bottom. The sand is dotted with sea pens and white, orange and purple tube-dwelling anemones as well as aggregating anemones. Living among the tube-dwelling anemones can be found the largest California nudibranch—the rainbow nudibranch. These dendronotids are excellent swimmers and feed on, and lay eggs, on the tube-dwelling anemones. 

Keep a keen eye for octopuses among the anemones as well. These are most easily found at night, but may be found during daylight by looking under drifting kelp fronds. No matter if the seas are big or flat, you can almost always have a fun dive at the Breakwater.

Dive along the outside of the Coast Guard pier in Monterey.

Breakwater is also known as Coast Guard Pier.

Breakwater

McAbee is a 1.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, California, Monterrey which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

McAbee

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.

June Lake

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at June Lake