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

Kelp and reef fish Girabaldi. Rays in the sand. Abalone and some lobsters in rocky areas

West of Long Point

Avalon

Little Gibraltar

Sandy cove with night time lobsters marching by. Halibut and rays in the sand

West of Long Point

Goat Harbor

Kelp and associated fish. Can have good current. Sand has rays.

North of Long Point

Twin Rocks

Barracuda and an occasional White Sea Bass. Garibaldi and Calico Bass

North of Long Point

Seal Point

Beautiful Cove for lunch off gassing between dives with kelp and a lot of small fish

North west of Avalon on catalina

Paradise Cove

Kelp forrests make home for many beautiful fish.

West of Long Point

Rippers Cove

This dive site is a large boulder-strewn area surrounded by sand. Great for Lobstering. Home to a large population of Giant Sea Bass.

West of Long Point, in the front side of Catalina Island.

Italian Gardens

Horn sharks, Garaboldi and Halibut in the sand

Just South of Long Point

Pirate's Cove is also known as Pirates Cove.

Pirate's Cove

Multi-level dive site including several type of dive: Cave, Wall, etc. Snorkeling area is to the East.

Frontside of Catalina Island

Long Point

White Seabass, Barracuda. Kerlp with Calico Bass

North of Long Point

Yellowtail Point

Dive Hen Rockock with its rock formations and kelp forest. Great lobster hunting in season.

SE of Long Point on the front side of Catalina Island

Little Gibraltar

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Little Gibraltar