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

Malibu - Big Rock

What a beautiful dive site!  With a nice beach and facilities for the non-divers, you will find a technically challenging adventure at Morro Rock.  The entry can be difficult and the swim can be long, so talk to the local dive shop before attempting this one.

Found in Morro Bay just 12 miles North of San Louis Obispo on Highway 1.  Take the Morro Bay Blvd exit to the West; turn right on Main Street; Left on Harbor Street; right on Front Street to parallel the bay; merge onto Embarcadero; then merge onto Coleman Drive, and continue around the bay.  If you get lost, just drive toward the big rock-- you can't miss it!

Morro Rock North

A good bug spot is the King Harbor break wall in Redondo Beach. Heading south, there is Redondo Canyon, which is a great dive in the Winter when the squid are mating.



LA - King Harbor

Mesa Lane is a well-kept secret with the locals of Santa Barbara.  You won't find any facilities here, just a nice stretch of beach with good access.

In Santa Barbara off Highway 101, take Las Positas Road exit (Highway 225) to the South for 1.7 miles.  Turn left (East)  on Cliff Drive;  in 1/2 mile turn right onto Mesa Lane and go to the end.

Mesa Lane

Laguana Beach, Dead Man's reef. I did a day dive there for the first time on the 4th.. It was Awesome! It was a nite dive.. My first, and let me tell u it was freaky! NO moon, no stars and fog! It was last week at 8pm.. The surf was nothing, small swells no biggie, but the surge was a pain.  Back and forth back and forth.. Lol  We had a 54 minute dive.(alum.100). Caught 1 legal Lobster- Had a blast, glad I did it.. Scared and all!! Vis was around 25 feet  Which is great for there..temp 64----not bad at all..A long swim to the reef but well worth it. Night life was amazing!



North Crescent Bay

The Newport Pier offers an interesting dive for the adventurer.  You can dive to 100 feet or more if you want to go beyond the pier; you can traverse the bottom looking for the creatures-of-the-sand; or you can explore under the pier for piling creatures or artifacts from the fishermen above!

Head down to New Port Beach.  Off the Pacific Coast Highway, turn South on West Balboa Blvd.  After 1.2 miles, you should run into the Pier!

Newport Pier

This beach is a nice destination for the day-- plenty to see for a two-tank dive.  The underwater scenery is quite rocky, especially around the point where fish, abalone and crab abound.

If coming from Highway 101, take the Los Osos Valley Road exit to the North (3 miles South of San Luis Obispo).  If coming from Morro Bay, take the Bay Blvd exit South from Highway 1, and turn right on Los Osos Valley Road.  Los Osos will merge into Pecho Road.  After the merge, drive for 3.8 miles to the park entrance.

Montana de Oro 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

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

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

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.



Malibu - Big Rock

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Malibu - Big Rock