Hi Mapo.
Diving, especially freediving, in Northern CA is centered around abalone. Spearfishing is a hit or miss, er... thing as the viz here tends to be crap.
The freediving community is growing, but it's till a calling up your buddies thing. SCUBA stuff is happening both North and South, up here the newbies and sporties go out of Gerstle cove in Salt Point, and it's awful tough to beat the Carmel side of the Monterey Peneninsula when it's not going off.
First and foremost is to get with a club of like minded divers- it will save you the time spent going into pl;aces where there's nothing and with the wrong gear. Depending on exactly where you're at, there are about 7 clubs that I'm in good, well OK standing with and 3-4 that I'm not, but now that I have daughters, it's all clear why.
Let me or us know in better terms of youir location and I can hook you up with the right people and a shop.
PS...it's hitting the beach at 19' and blowing 45. Happy New Year.
