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Although I do not classify myself as a Tech diver (at least by the standards of this group), I'm at least familiar with the local 'dive scene' here in the San Franciso Bay area: Phil Straw wrote: > I was recently offered a job in the US, in Santa Clara California. The > offer is sound and my current job stinks...so I guess it comes down to > the diving, please can people tell me what the diving is like there. Welcome to 'Silicon Valley'. > How many wrecks ? Nearby diving in this part of the world mainly occurs in the Monterey-Carmel area. The primary U/W characteristic of this environment are rocky offshore reefs that support growth of the Giant Kelp, Macrocystis. We have a very narrow continental shelf, so water gets to depths well beyond the divable range (thousand plus meters) even relatively close to shore. Wrecks that have occured tend to sink too deep or get broken up completely on rocky inaccessible shores. Although there are some wrecks, this is not the focus for most diving here (unlike the northeastern U.S. or U.K.). Most divers are into sightseeing, U/W hunting or U/W photography. Although there are undoubtly many wrecks within San Fransico Bay, a muddy bottom, large boat traffic, dredging and pollution concerns have made this option unattractive to non-commercial diving. > What kind of Wrecks ? Nothing world-class (Andrea Doria, Scapa Flow, etc.) that I'm aware of folks diving here. More options in Southern California. > Local Ocean Charateristics ? Cool waters ranging between 8 and 15 degrees C., temperatures dictated more by upwelling events rather than seasonality. Most spots (others than those directly off Monterey / Pacific Grove) subject to direct ocean swells making site selection difficult at times. The kelp forest is an amazing ecosystem, as rich in life as any tropical coral reef. Large amount of invertebrate life present. Great offshore pinacles. Typical visibility in inshore areas 4-5 m, increasing to 20+ meters offshore when conditions are good. Most dive depths 10-30 m, however the opportunity for deeper sites. 'Tech Diving' is rather primitive here, with only one center (Ocean Odessey, run by Wings Stock in Santa Cruz) specializing. The Nitrox craze has only caught on in this area within the last couple of years. > Cave systems ? Excepts for some very small caverns, none. People who have the Cave Diving orientation typically fly down to Mexico, Yucatan. > Dives within the expedition distance ? Good diving down in Southern California, 300 - 500 miles distant. More accesible wrecks in that part of the world. Have dove wreck in the Channel Islands and San Diego. Any S. California divers want to comment? > Anyone dived California and in the UK and can compare ? Never dove U.K., but have dove N.E. coast of U.S. which is primarily wreck-orientated. Probably closer to your current environment. > How about the great whites, are they a problem ? Considering the number of divers in this region, statistically insignificant. But they are out there. > This is very important !! > Thanks in advance, oh yes and what are the Californian ladies like ? Great, but I've already proposed to the best one that was still available 8-). Good diving, Mike -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send list subscription requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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