Posted by Clinton Bauder on May 15, 2000 at 15:54:50:
In Reply to: question re diving off the beaches of Santa Cruz and Monterey posted by diver karl on May 15, 2000 at 14:55:09:
Abalone hunting is illegal south of San Francisco (and possibly further north than that - not being a hunter I'm not sure where the line is).
Santa Cruz doesn't offer much in the way of diving what with low vis, lots of sandy bottom and worst off all the White Sharks that prowl Ano Nuevo.
Monterey and Carmel, OTOH, offer terrific diving. If you are shore diving, especially during the week, the best place is probably Point Lobos State Reserve. You need reservations which are highly coveted on weekends but easy on weekdays. Other good spots include Coral Street and the Coast Guard Breakwater in Monterey and Monestary Beach in Carmel. If you dive Monestary you should arrange for a guide from one of the local shops - it's a really tricky entry and exit and could easily get you into serious trouble if you aren't familiar with the beach. Boat diving is available as well and is the best way to see the really good stuff which is to say the offshore pinnacles. This website has a list of operators. I'm partial to Cypress Charters but all of them have good reputations.
Clinton