California Diving

Description

LOS ANGELES COUNTY AREA Los Angeles County has more to offer the traveler than Hollywood, amusement parks and the big city. The mild climate makes diving in Southern California a year around affair for travelers and locals alike. Several full service dive stores and charter boats are in the area. 1) LEO CARILLO STATE PARK Leo Carillo Beach is the favorite spot of many local divers. There are excellent facilities including campgrounds and restrooms. There are several areas dive. There is the northern parking. This area is a long stretch of beach with a large kelp bed that stretches it's length. When the surf is down this is a great site but when surf is up it is definitely a beach break. The bottom is primarily sand out to the kelp then it changes to reef systems. Dolphin and other larger marine animals are frequently sited here as well as the smaller "macro" varieties. The other area is best approached from a parking spot on HWY 1 on the ocean side of the street. The area is usually crowded with surfers and a broken ankle from the uneven bottom in the entry area is not unheard of, but the diving is great and lobster are found here during season. 2) EL MATADOR, EL PESCADOR AND LA PIEDRA BEACHES These three beaches are found a mile or so apart just south of Leo Carillo. They all offer great views, restrooms and a heck of a walk to the water. This long walk with dive gear discourages many divers and makes these dive spots uncrowded and pristine. Suiting up at the car and then walking down the hill can be very tiring but the rewards are well worth it. The kelp beds are full and healthy. Game fish abound and lobsters may be taken during season. The reefs that support the kelp beds are varied and interesting. Each park is labeled with a sign on the highway and parking is on a paid honor system. 3) POINT DUME (FREE ZUMA) Arriving early is a good idea at Point Dume. The parking is only free until the attendant shows up. Leaving Hwy 1 onto Westward Ave. and follow it to it's end. At the end you will find a vacant parking gate and another parking area. Pull into this area past the lifeguard tower(used in Bay Watch)to the end where there are restrooms and showers. At the southern most tip of this area you will see a sheer cliff face with climbers repelling on it. Enter the water in front of this rock and swim to the exposed pinnacles you see a hundred yards or so off the point. There are two pinnacles that break the surface. The rise, one for 40 feet the other from 70 feet. They are often used as haulouts by sealions. This area is on the brink of a submarine canyon where the depths can become quite deep. Currents are also a concern, making this an advanced only dive spot. It is one of the few spots with consistently good visibility due to the up welling from the deep waters and the strong currents. There is much to see here. You can see pismo clam beds, sand dollar beds BIG game fish and lobster. 4) PARADISE COVE, ESCONDITO CREEK AND LATIGO CANYON Paradise Cove is a good dive site in that it is an easy entry and exit. Many instructors use this spot for training dives.

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