Name: Folsom Lake
Rating: 1.0

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

Placer 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

Folsom Lake is a 1.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, California which is accessible from shore based on 5 ratings.

Granite Bay

Folsom Lake

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

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

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

Doran Beach

Horseshoe Cove



2 miles South of the Historic Park

Fort Ross is also known as Red Barn, Fort Ross Reef Campground.

Fort Ross

Stillwater cove is recognized for its relatively undisturbed marine environment.  Due to the sensitivity of this habitat, only 10 divers a day are allowed access.  Sorry, there is no night diving.  The Beach and Tennis Club provides the coastal access from sunrise to sunset, and there is a $10 gate fee to gain access into Pebble Beach.

Located in the heart of Pebble Beach, the drive here is worth the effort, even if you are not going to dive!   Drive South of Carmel on Highway 1 to Ocean Ave.  Take Ocean Ave West and turn right on San Antonio Ave.  Wind your way North until you find yourself on Carmel Way.  You will soon intersect with the famous 17 Mile Drive.  A gate guard will welcome you and relieve you of some money for the privilege of hobnobbing with the Rich and Famous. Travel North West for about 1 mile, and turn left on Palmero Way.  Travel approximately 1/2 mile and then make a left on to Cypress Drive for about 1/8 of a mile which ends at Stillwater Cove.

Stillwater Cove

The main reason people go here is abalone diving. I did see several legal ones, however it seemed slightly inferior to the Stillwater cove less than two miles away. For spear fishing however I found it to be better. While free diving I pulled a ~30 inch ling cod out of only fifteen foot deep water. There are also many more perch, and rockfish than I had observed at Stillwater cove the day before. It is also a very calm site, and would serve as a good beginner dive for anyone wanting to make their first abalone dive.

This site is only a few minutes north of Stillwater beach near salt point. take the highway 1 north until you see the Ocean Cove Store. From there take a left there will be a campground head into the camp ground and take the first right, that will take you to a boat ramp, enter anywhere near the ramp.

Folsom Lake

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Folsom Lake