Posted by Jason on January 09, 2002 at 17:43:43:
In Reply to: One chance to dive in California (North of San Fran) posted by julie on January 08, 2002 at 17:11:59:
I can't agree with the notion that you need to go to Monterey. There are definitely moderately easy spots in Sonoma Co - I've dove several, but you do need to be a competent cold water diver with some knowledge of surf.
Stillwater Cove has an easy entry, as does Gerstle Cove. However, if the surge is going, it may not be very diveable down below. Fort Ross also has a couple diving spots, and I've gone looking in Sea Ranch for a lost weight belt.
All of the north coast spots have more prolific green algaes than monterey, and more bull kelp instead of macro kelp. Because fewer people are there, the ling cod population is better (but not like Seattle/BC), and sunflower stars are everywhere. And then of course are the abalone, which you can look at, but not take, whie on scuba.