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

South of Drainpipe is the Gauntlet. This is a line of legal lobster traps stretched along the boundary from Rocky Point to Point Dume. Any trap found North of here should be destroyed and reported to DF&G. As you head around the extensive kelp bed of Rocky Point, you can see wreckage of the Dominator on the beach and, at low tide, what remains of the stern section sticking out of the water.



LA - Gauntlet

Arroyo Burrow is a popular place for both dive classes and experienced divers.  Mostly protected from the Pacific swell (as is most of the Santa Barbara coastline), you'll find this a pleasant dive.  There is a restaurant in the park, as well as all other expected facilities.

In Santa Barbara off Highway 101, take Las Positas Road exit (Highway 225) to the South for 1.7 miles.  Turn right (West)  on Cliff Drive, and you'll find the entrance in 1/4 mile.

Arroyo Burrow Park

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

Looking for a good jetty to dive?  Well, this is the place!  Corona Del Mar State Beach has everything you need to enjoy a full day of diving and sunning.

Drive 2.5 miles South of the Newport Bridge, and turn right on Jasmine Ave.  Head straight to the water.  There are also lots of signs pointing you to the park.  If all else fails, pull out your GPS!

Corona del Mar

Crystal Cove is one of those areas that you could spend years exploring.  This large stretch of beach has several entry points, and depending upon how far you want to hike, you can choose a different entry for every day of the year!

Drive 4.5 miles South of the Newport Bridge.  You'll see the miles of wild beachfront, and the entrance to the park.

Crystal Cove State Park

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

For camping, hiking, fishing and diving, you'll find Gaviota has it all.  A nice beach will all the facilities, this is a great weekend get-away!

27 miles West of Santa Barbara, as Highway 101 starts to bear North, you'll see the entrance seaward.

Gaviota State Beach

A great place for finding creatures-of-the-sand, Hearst Beach offers a protected cove that's perfect for new divers getting their feet wet, or old divers checking out new gear.  It's a full service park with concessions, so plan on staying the day.

Drive 34 miles North on Highway 1 from San Luis Obispo.

Hearst Beach

Jade Cove is an Adventure in all respects!  Plan on making this a full day trek, if not spending the night in the area.  After making an incredibly beautiful drive up (or down) the coast, be prepared for a mild version of Gorilla diving.  The reward?  A souvenir piece of jade to take home to display with your other diving trophies.  There are regulations to be aware of.  A good starting place for web research is <a target="_new" href="http://www.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/Intro/press_releases/980708.html">here</a>. Getting in at times is accomplished by going under the thick bull kelp that's near shore and has a thick canopy. It's shallow and is affected by heavy surge. In August there is a thick krill layer near the bottom (5ft thick) that decreased the viz to 2-5ft. Beautiful reef, fishes, and if you look carefully you will find pieces of jade.

A rememberence from Daniel S. McDermed:  In 1966 my Dad's hobby was scuba diving, and my grandparents' hobby was making jewlery. In the murky water of Jade Cove, Dad's exploration of a small underwater cave produced a large piece of jade that weighed 17 pounds. I remember a young man offered my Dad 35 dollars a pound for it while my Dad stood there in those chilly waters.  Dad said "Thanks but this man has some real plans for this chunk." Much more than the money offered was gained from the retained stone.

Found 70 miles South of Monterey and 70 miles North of San Luis Obispo, between Gorda and Pacific Valley, on Highway 1. The trail head leading to Jade Cove (Main, Central Jade Cove) is .4 miles south of Plaskett Creek Campground entrance on Cabrillo Highway 1. Free parking on the west side of hwy 1. Walk the straight dirt path to the narrowing switch back trail. There is a spring halfway down with water on the path, the very last leg has an anchored rope line for balance! Cross over some large boulders at the bottom to the cove.

Jade Cove

The L.A. break wall is home to every kind of plant and animal you will find on the peninsula, all in a relatively small area. Diving here is from as shallow as one foot to fifty feet. A buddy of mine got an 18 pound lobster in less than two feet of water two years ago, then released it when he noticed it was a female with eggs. The Middle Break Wall can be a great producer of legal size bugs. For the photographer, there are numerous varieties of Nudibranches.



LA - Break Wall

Cabrillo Beach does not offer any good diving, except when the rare chocolate lobsters are in the area.



LA - Gauntlet

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at LA - Gauntlet