Page 89 - California Diving and Surfing

WESTWARD BEACH 20’-65’+ A sandy PARADISE COVE 15’-50’ Sandy beach with the way to Latigo Point. Limited roadside
beach entry through a surf zone leads to rocks is inaccessible due to private prop- parking.
a submarine canyon, which drops off deep erty, but this is a good kayak dive site (or
quickly to the southwest. There are sand a long swim). The reef is full of all kinds of THE SLOT Numerous dives between and
dollars, sea pens, spider crabs, sand stars, kelp forest creatures and some nice gorgo- including Corral Beach and Paradise Cove
bat rays, and halibut. This is a good kayak nians. are generally called “The Slot”. Accessibil-
dive. Free parking at Zuma Beach and West- ity and ease of use makes Corral Beach the
ward Beach. Amenities available. POINT DUME 20-100’+ Sandy beach entry most popular.
right off the point. It gets deep fast and
EL MATADOR, EL PESCADOR & LA PIEDRA longshore currents can be strong. This is LAS TUNAS STATE BEACH 10’-40’ A sandy
BEACHES 20’-40’ Stairs and paths to three the place to see squid spawning grounds, beach entry leads to kelp forests 150’ to
sandy and rocky beaches. Some reefs break plus a horde of bat rays, and an occasional 600’ offshore. Colorful strawberry anemo-
the surface. The kelp bed 300’ out has gari- electric ray. Offshore there rocky pinnacles nes, golden gorgonians, nudibranchs,
baldi, bluebanded gobi, señoritas, rockfish, with a steep drop-off. Barracudas school sheep crabs, opaleye, señoritas, lobsters
cabezon, lobsters and halibut. Good area to here, and there are sometimes black sea and scallops make this a great dive. Beware
find shells. Uncrowded. bass. The shore is a sea lion haul-out spot of rusted metal groynes in water. Fee park-
Caution: Currents and a sometimes pound- ing lot.
LEO CARILLO STATE BEACH 5’-45’ A sandy ing shore break.
and rocky beach entry leads to a huge BIG ROCK 15’-40’ Sand and rock beach en-
kelp forest and a rocky reef. Features CORRAL BEACH 15’-40’ This sandy beach try at 20000 PCH, or a kayak dive beginning
gorgonians, colorful anemones, starfish, entry is commonly used by dive classes as from Las Tunas. Big kelp beds and reefs
nudibranchs,cowries, sheephead, kelp bass, a check-out dive for new scuba divers. Just 200’+ out, where divers find lobsters, moray
and halibut. Good spot for all levels of 100’ out there is kelp with a few lobsters, eels, and golden gorgonians, plus the usual
snorkeling. gorgonians, strawberry anemones, rockfish, kelp forest creatures.
horn sharks, leopard sharks, and the ever-
present garibaldi There is good diving all