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The dive site at Van Damme is directly across the street from the State Park entrance.  The park has 74 campsites with all the amenities, and a riverside foot trail.  Check out the park's visitor center while off-gassing.

The entrance to Van Damme is 3 miles South of Mendocino on Highway 1.  The road curves right around the beach.  For more information on California parks, call 1-800-444-7275 or go to their website <a target="_new" href="http://cal-parks.ca.gov">here</a>.

Van Damme State Park

Breakwater Cove is another popular dive site.  Parking can be limited, so get there early.  This is a wonderful place to get a glimpse of sea lions, octopus, and other marine creatures.  The best diving is on the outer side of breakwater.  Beware of kelp and boats!

In Monterey, heading West on Del Monte, bear right onto Lighthouse Ave, then bear right onto Foam St.  Make a right onto Cannery Row.

Breakwater Cove

The access path leads down  the cliff to a rocky staging area just above the dive site.  The dive site is a tricky rocky entry for intermediate to advanced divers only.  This is an OCEAN EXPOSED dive site, so, conditions can change rapidly.  Be prepared for anything, and, don't get in on a questionable day. However, once you're in the water, this dive site is well worth the effort.  Rocky reefs, deep shore diving (60-90 feet) and a rich giant kelp forest are all within easy reach once you are in the water at this site.  Bring two or three tanks, and, take your time getting your gear down to the staging area in multiple trips before suiting up to avoid injuries.

See http://www.saintbrendan.com/cdnsept00/mont9.html for additional information.  This site is located just south of Carmel Proper, on Scenic Drive just north of Stewart Way.  Proceed South on HWY 1 to Carpenter.  Turn right on Carpenter to the For Way Stop at Ocean Avenue.  Turn right on Ocean Ave. and follow it all the way down to Scenic.  If you miss the left turn onto Scenic, one of two things will happen.  Either your car will become hopelessly trapped in the sand, or you will need a regulator to exit your car. (In other words, if you go too far on Ocean, you will be in the ocean).  Follow Scenic around until you can see a house that has a roofline that looks like a giant butterfly.  That is the dive site.  The access path is about 100 feet back towards Carmel.

Butterfly House

Cannery Park (also called San Carlos Beach) is just West of the Breakwater dive site.  This is a nice place for a second dive, and to get away from the crowd at Breakwater.  The dive area is mainly sandy, so expect to see the occasional Halibut.

In Monterey, heading West on Del Monte, bear right onto Lighthouse Ave, then bear right onto Foam St.  Make a right onto Cannery Row.

Cannery Park

Here are two of my favorite dive spots, in between Christmas Tree Cove and White Point.
As you head south on Palos Verdes Drive West from Lunada Bay (where Christmas Tree cove) is located, right after the Coast Guard's Pt. Vincente lighthouse, you will come to a tall hill, and "Palos Verdes Drive West" becomes "Palos Verdes Drive South". On the Southside of that hill is a parking lot, with restrooms, marking the "Pt. Vincente Fish Access", known to the locals as "Cardiac Hill" There is a steep, but wide, trail to the bottom of the cliff, and a good dive once you get to the beach. Similar to Christmas Tree, but it gets more people-pressure because of the easier access.
And further East along Palos Verdes Drive South is the entrance to Old Marineland. A truly wonderful dive spot, with some well-populated rock reefs. There is a gradual, dirt road down to an easy-entry beach on the East end, or for the more advanced/experienced (and depending on the swells), a rock entry on the West end. Developers have their eye on this property, so I don't know how much longer it will stay open, but we should enjoy it while it is.



Cardiac Hill

Carmel Point can be a difficult dive if the conditions are not perfect.  For the best diving, you will need to swim for the point where current and swells could greet you.  Plan your dive with someone experienced.

Carmel Point is located at the Southern end of the Carmel Beach City Park, which lines the whole city front.  From Highway 1, take Ocean Ave. West to sea.  Turn left on Scenic Road, and continue to the end of the beach.

Carmel Point

This is the Northern most dive site of the Carmel River State Beach, and is slightly protected from the Northern swells.  Watch the current as your round the rocky point.

Carmel Point is located at the Southern end of the Carmel.  From Highway 1, take Ocean Ave or 13th Ave toward the sea.  Turn left on Scenic Road, and continue to the Southern intersection of Ocean View Ave.  You will overlook the beach to your right.

Carmel River North

60' - 100' Viz! ~800' depth. Giant granite walls and lots of fish. 6,223' above sea level.  40-50 degF, so bring your dry suit!

Lake Tahoe.  Contacts: Sierra Diving Center 775-825-2147 (Reno) or Adventure Scuba 775-826-5333 (in Reno) or Tropical Penguins 775-828-3483 (Reno) or Strictly Scuba 775-884-3483 (Carson City)

Carnelian Bay, Tahoe

Caspar Bay is an easy dive on all levels.  If you're looking for Abalone, try the Southern side of the bay.

About 5 miles South of Fort Bragg on Highway 1, head West on Point Cabrillo Drive (located on the South side of the Cabrillio River Bridge)

Caspar Bay

Coral Street can be a technical dive if the conditions aren't just right.  The kelp growth in August and September can be daunting, and the currents can catch you by surprise.  Plan this dive with a dive shop, and take a buddy with you who has been here before.  Do take your camera, as the macro life is spectacular! Entry can be tricky at low tide, with exposed shallow rocks and abundance of kelp and sea grasses. Once in deeper water you will find a large kelp forest fringing sand channels and walls and pinnacles. Look for remnants of John Denver's airplane.

In Monterey, heading West on Del Monte, bear right onto Lighthouse Ave, then bear right onto Foam St.  Make a right onto David Ave, then a left onto Ocean View Blvd.  Continue past Lover's Point Park, and about 1/2 mile beyond, you'll find the Ocean View and  Coral Street intersection.

Coral Street Beach

This is the Northern most site at Fort Ross.  It is technically more challenging than the Southern site due to the hike and the rocky entry.<br><br>Notes from Paul Schmitt to a boater's question: There is a boat launch at Timber Cove a few miles north of Fort Ross State Park. I do not suggest taking a 14 foot aluminum boat as the wind usually blows from the north to the south and picks up late in the morning and really starts blowing hard in the afternoon. An Avon rubber boat is much safer. They will launch the boat for you at Timber cove. I haven't been to Fort Ross for a few years and it seems to me they have stopped all traffic down to the beach. Another outstanding state park with a boat launch is just north of Timber Cove at Salt Point. Timber Cove and Salt Point are usually populated with  experienced divers on the week end. Take some time and talk to the divers down on the beach for current conditions and advice. Please note the seas and weather off the north coast of  California can be very dangerous, especially if you are not familiar with the area. While diving from shore at the park may be a pain, it is much safer than attempting it in a small boat.

For a scenic ride, take Highway 116 off 101 to the town Jenner.  Head North for about 13 miles, and turn left into the Fort Ross State Historic Park.  You'll see this site before you get to the Fort.

Fort Ross North

Easy entry. Extremely long swim out and to the right for anything interesting. Primarily a area to take a zodiac out and then free dive for abalone. The large bay makes it nice for scuba novice. Great California State Park for camping.

Van Damme State Park

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Van Damme State Park