Posted by Eric S on August 07, 2000 at 08:22:25:
In Reply to: diving in the bay area posted by Benedict Chua on August 07, 2000 at 01:05:00:
Probably, your best bet would be to go to Monterey and get on one of the dive boats there. A dive shop anywhere in the bay area could set you up with a trip. If you like to Abalone dive you would need to go to the North Coast. Keep in mind that you can only free dive for them (no scuba) and there is a whole list of strict rules for this activity. Get a rule book and a fishing licence with an Abalone stamp at any tackle shop. You also could get advice and rent all the gear you need at any bay area dive shop. The North Coast would be anything from Jenner up. Jenner is about an hour drive west from Santa Rosa. Then there's cleaning, pounding, and cooking them. If you have a place to do this you have it made. As far as scuba on the north coast, there is only one dive operation in Albion (Mendocino County) which is about two or more hours drive from Santa Rosa. The shore diving on the north coast is a lot rougher that in monterey or southern california and generally the visibility is not as good.