Santa Clara, San Francisco, Bay Area, June 17-22

[sanso]

Hi everyone,

looks like I'll be in Santa Clara, CA from June 17th through 22nd and would like to know if I should bring my suit and fins along.

If any of You feel up to taking me to their favourite spot[s], I'd be happy to tag along. Likely I won't have a car, though, and will only have time after 18:00h (for americans, that would be 6pm )

Diving anyone?

[sanso]

Update: Looks like I'll have a car.
So what are the spots and who are the people in the area?

[kale]

Sanso,
I hope someone more local to that area will chime in with more info for you since I don't know of any dive spots real close to there. But if you are willing to drive an hour or two you can get to some great diving in Monterey to the south , or you could get some abalone to the north. Bummer you can't dive til after 6, but night diving is great too. Good luck.
Kale

[maytag]

Originally Posted by sanso

Update: Looks like I'll have a car.
So what are the spots and who are the people in the area?

Hey, Sanso,
Welcome to our country!!!!
You could always use the car to drive to the airport and fly to the Great Lakes, Southern Cal, Florida...

Didn't someone in Redwood City join DB not too long ago...? He might have a better idea of that area...

Any info here? Bay Area Scuba Dive Center,Blue Water Aquatics,Sunnyvale,Santa Clara,Padi & Andi scuba instruction for Diving Monterey (dive maps)

or here LAdiver.com: Northern California Diving Resources?

Safe travels! That is one long flight from Germany to the Bay Area...

Cheers!

[Metridium]

Sanso,

I am traveling most of that week and would not be able to show you around. But the Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel area has some of the best diving around and would be worth the effort. Much of the rest of the coast in closer proximity to Santa Clara is exposed, rough, limited access, low visibility, or just sand. You would have to drive a long way to beat Monterey area. Bring a good fitting 7mm suit if you dive more than an hour. There are rental shops too for scuba.

David
Santa Cruz

[sanso]

Originally Posted by Metridium

Sanso,

I am traveling most of that week and would not be able to show you around. But the Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel area has some of the best diving around and would be worth the effort. Much of the rest of the coast in closer proximity to Santa Clara is exposed, rough, limited access, low visibility, or just sand. You would have to drive a long way to beat Monterey area. Bring a good fitting 7mm suit if you dive more than an hour. There are rental shops too for scuba.

David
Santa Cruz

Okay, sounds good, I see that I can get to Santa Cruz in ~45 minutes, an hour more to monterey, with the limited time until sunset, I guess I'll want to look at the spots on the north end of the bay. Is there any place You can recommend?

I have a 5mm elios that keeps me warm for an hour in 4˚C - I assume that's sufficient.
The only thing is that I'd rather not want to carry 4kg of lead on the airplane, ...
But, hey, I could wear the weight belt as an accessory

[sanso]

Originally Posted by maytag

Hey, Sanso,
Welcome to our country!!!!
You could always use the car to drive to the airport and fly to the Great Lakes, Southern Cal, Florida...
...
Safe travels! That is one long flight from Germany to the Bay Area......

Maytag, You're priceless

Thanks for the welcome. I fear I won't make it to the great lakes (this time?) and thanks for the links. Can hardly wait...

[Metridium]

Sanso,

If you don't wish to dive at dusk or at night, then a spot to try in Santa Cruz is the kelp bed just south of the light house and the surf spot called Steamer Lane. Because of the energetic swell wrapping the lighthouse point, the reef rocks are kept reasonably clear of being drowned by sand. Stay south of the surfers so you don't get banged into.

But I still recommend Monterey and offer geology 101 as explanation of why:

The north end of Monterey Bay around Santa Cruz is usually very murky; like 3 to 6 feet viz (1-2m). This remains true as you move further north because the geologic materials of the shoreline are soft mudstone/sandstone and all the coastal sediment travels south and dumps into the depths of the Bay. The shoreline of the Bay is all sand. Because the Bay swallows the sediment, the south end stays clearer; like 6 to 40 feet viz. Also the bedrock of Monterey Peninsula is granite and decomposes into very course sand that does not become suspended by the surf. Because of the clear water and good light the kelp forests in Monterey are spectacular and attract lots of sea life. The Monterey/Carmel peninsula offers protection from the rough surf on at least one side at any given time, so there is almost always a good condition nearby. There are many recommendable sites here. Butterfly House is one of my favorites, but a bit hidden near the Carmel State Beach river mouth. Warning: avoid Monestery Beach in Carmel unless you want to donate your equipment, or your life, or are very experienced with the location.

I will be home the evenings of the 20th and 21st, then off to Kona. Maybe I could squeeze some time in then if you want to dive Santa Cruz. I could also lend you some lead if you like.

David

[rbsub]

Could not resist!
I think you will spend a long time in the water!

Google Maps

Look to point 36

[sanso]

Originally Posted by Metridium

Sanso,
If you don't wish to dive at dusk or at night, then a spot to try in Santa Cruz is the kelp bed just south of the light house and the surf spot called Steamer Lane. Because of the energetic swell wrapping the lighthouse point, the reef rocks are kept reasonably clear of being drowned by sand. Stay south of the surfers so you don't get banged into.

But I still recommend Monterey and offer geology 101 as explanation of why:
[...geology 101...]
I will be home the evenings of the 20th and 21st, then off to Kona. Maybe I could squeeze some time in then if you want to dive Santa Cruz. I could also lend you some lead if you like.
...

Night diving won't work, because I don't have a divelight, as for dusk, that I don't have issues with.
I'll see how much lead I can fit in my luggage. I should be able to fit some into the 20kgs I'm allowed on board.
So You're heading to kona, poor fella..
I'd be happy to have a buddy over there as I'm not familiar with the location, but I don't want You to have to squeeze too hard to find a spot in Your calendar. - 20th or 21st sound great to me, so if You feel like it, I'll happily tag along
Cheers for the tips!

[Metridium]

Sanso, I've got many dive lights if you change your mind about that.

A quick dive in Santa Cruz after work would be good, as long as you're willing to bet on the unpredictable viz and swell. Bottom line is I'm eager but can't guarantee the amount of time I'll have. Maybe I would just start the first hour with you and let you stay as long as you wish. That way you don't get too lost and waste the little time you have.

If you find another buddy I'll understand. Otherwise, hope to make the dive together. Let me know the week before you leave and if there is any other local information I can help you with in the meantime.

David

[sanso]

Very cool, Metridium!
Night diving is something I'd love to try.
I'm not spoiled with visibility, had about three meters yesterday and it's a good day when the lake gives us more than seven.
I guess I can handle some swell, too - so we're all set for the after work dive.
Will post again as soon as I have any more questions.

Cheers!!

[sanso]

Metridium, so far nothing seems to be in the way.
How about a Monday afternoon-dive on the 18th?

[Metridium]

Hi Sanso,

The only possible evenings I have available are either the 20th or 21st.

David

[sanso]

Originally Posted by Metridium

...The only possible evenings I have available are either the 20th or 21st. ...

Then how about meeting on the 20th? I'd probably be able to get out around 5pm.