Coming down to La Jolla for a weekend, need some advice

[spatman]

Hello, SoCal divers!

I'l be down in La Jolla for a weekend wedding mid-October. I have one day that I can devote to diving and I was hoping to get some advice from you all.

• What is the OMG-you-have-to-dive-this site that i shouldn't miss while I'm down there?

• Who do you recommend as reputable shops and charters?

• What's the water temp in mid-october? Should I bring my drysuit or rent a 7mm wetsuit while there?

• Can you recommend a decent inexpensive place to stay that's not too far from everything?

Thanks for all of your help!

[Glycerin]

Hello, SoCal divers!

• What is the OMG-you-have-to-dive-this site that i shouldn't miss while I'm down there?

I'd personally say you have to dive the Yukon. Other then that I would say point loma kelp beds. If you want to save charter money you can dive the cove or the shores.

• Who do you recommend as reputable shops and charters?

http://marissadivecharters.com/ I feel is one of the best SoCal charters.

http://sduadivers.com/ is hands down the best shop in San Diego.

• What's the water temp in mid-october? Should i bring my drysuit or rent a 7mm wetsuit while there?

You'll be better off bringing your drysuit. The temps will probably be in the low-mid 50's.

[David P]

I'd personally say you have to dive the Yukon. Other then that I would say point loma kelp beds. If you want to save charter money you can dive the cove or the shores.
some people dont like diving the 100' deep 52 segree waters to look at a purpose sunk boat, I personally enjoy it though. Agree San Diego has some beautiful kelp dives, what kind of diving do you like?



http://marissadivecharters.com/ I feel is one of the best SoCal charters.
It looks like a nice boat, I haven't been on it yet. Looks like they stock up with AL80 and no compressor, but I may be wrong.

http://sduadivers.com/ is hands down the best shop in San Diego.
agree, but I go for the drysuit,HID, and doubles setup...



You'll be better off bringing your drysuit. The temps will probably be in the low-mid 50's.

+1

[Glycerin]

You can have a nice dive on the Yukon between 65 and 80 feet.
San Diego has a lot to offer and it really depends on what you are looking for and experience level, kelp, wrecks, sand, reef, and the Coronado’s.

The Marissa does have a compressor. The AL80’s are there for mainly there for classes.

SDUA is a tech heavy shop; I too go for the DS, HID, and doubles.

[jackstown reef]

I agree about the Marissa, I recently was in SD and had one day for diving. The Marissa fit my schedule, and we did 3 dives. Yukon Ruby E and Kelp beds. Very nice boat, staff, plenty of room, no rushing, and plenty of food.
YMMV but I would say drysuit!!!!

[spatman]

thank you all for your replies.

i'm not a huge fan of wrecks in general, but if the yukon is really that impressive i'll consider it. the kelp beds definitely sound like my style, since i love watching animals and have yet to dive kelp.

is the viz seasonal down there like it is up here in the puget sound? is october generally a decent time of year for visibility?

[Pasley]

Viz is seasonal, and one day it is good, the next.... not so much. October high season for diving here with some of the best visability. The high season being roughly October through December for diving with best visibilty.

[nannymouse]

For diving a wreck you will need training in Overhead Environments and (hopefully) a buddy who has been on that wreck before.

There is definitely more to see in SD than the Yukon, but it is impressive.

[spatman]

October high season for diving here with some of the best visability. The high season being roughly October through December for diving with best visibilty.

that's fantastic, i'm really glad to hear that!

thanks again for everyone's input. i'll be firming up some plans in the next month or so, if anyone's interested in joining me.

[Glycerin]

You only need to be overhead 'trained' if you plan on going inside the wreck. You can have a great dive on the outside. Most of the life is outside anyways.

When you get your trip set up let me know, I may be able to join and show you around.

[nannymouse]

You only need to be overhead 'trained' if you plan on going inside the wreck. You can have a great dive on the outside. Most of the life is outside anyways.

I stand corrected.
Sometimes I sit corrected, too.

[I_AM]

thank you all for your replies.

i'm not a huge fan of wrecks in general, but if the yukon is really that impressive i'll consider it. the kelp beds definitely sound like my style, since i love watching animals and have yet to dive kelp.

is the viz seasonal down there like it is up here in the puget sound? is october generally a decent time of year for visibility?

Hi Spatman,
you can eDive the HMCS Yukon right now - from your home - using our eDiving service --> http://www.ediving.us/siteInfo/USACA...ction=Overview

It is free to divers

Regards,

I_AM

[Celt5494]

Hello, SoCal divers!

I'l be down in La Jolla for a weekend wedding mid-October. I have one day that I can devote to diving and I was hoping to get some advice from you all.

• What is the OMG-you-have-to-dive-this site that i shouldn't miss while I'm down there?

• Who do you recommend as reputable shops and charters?

• What's the water temp in mid-october? Should I bring my drysuit or rent a 7mm wetsuit while there?

• Can you recommend a decent inexpensive place to stay that's not too far from everything?

Thanks for all of your help!

I would definately recommend SDUA as they will be close to just about anywhere you dive here and they can readily supply you with any gas you could need. Definately go the dry suit route over wet if possible. While the waters aren't frigid and I do still dive wet sometimes, dry will give you a much nicer experience. The Marissa is a really good boat to go out on and they will take anyone from basic open water all the way to some very advanced dives if you have the certs for it and are a RB friendly boat. If you want a smaller boat I can drop you a line on a really great 6-pack that will also take you anywhere and can meet you just about anywhere there is a launch. As to the dive sites, I'm pretty biased and mainly just like the wrecks we have around here which are more than most people can imagine. The kelp beds are really nice and would probably offer you the chance to see more sea life than other places. Often times the local boats will do the Yukon then the kelp beds. You just need call and make your interests known so they can accomodate you.
Make sure you don't leave your dive gear visible in your vehicle overnight where you stay or on any of the side streets around the dive locations as unfortunately as nice as our city is here there are thieves that will gladly relieve you of your hard earned dive computers and BC's. If you park at the shores during the day and/or Vallecitos point there are generally no problems. Hope some of this helps and I would love to be a personal underwater tourguide while you will be here but Uncle Sam has requested my presence to go and do his bidding in a land other than my realm.

Good diving...........

[breals]

I would dive:

• La Jolla Cove
• Yukon
• Pt Loma Kelp Beds
• Ruby E
• Scripps Canyon
• La Jolla Shores

The Yukon is a reef at this point.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/billrea...7602905402324/

If you have a drysuit, bring it it's usually 50 to 55 degrees down here. As far as a place to stay, it depends on what you want to do. There are a ton of hotels in Mission Valley which is central to everything and a short drive from the dive boats and La Jolla. Or stay in La Jolla and you will get more culture, restaurants, shops and are very close to La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores but it will be at a higher cost.

The Lois Ann and Marissa are both excellent dive boats in San Diego.

[Celt5494]

I would dive:

• La Jolla Cove
• Yukon
• Pt Loma Kelp Beds
• Ruby E
• Scripps Canyon
• La Jolla Shores

The Yukon is a reef at this point.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/billrea...7602905402324/

If you have a drysuit, bring it it's usually 50 to 55 degrees down here. As far as a place to stay, it depends on what you want to do. There are a ton of hotels in Mission Valley which is central to everything and a short drive from the dive boats and La Jolla. Or stay in La Jolla and you will get more culture, restaurants, shops and are very close to La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores but it will be at a higher cost.

The Lois Ann and Marissa are both excellent dive boats in San Diego.

Let's not forget the Avenger or the B-36.......