New to SoCal

[RydDragyn]

My new job forced me to relocate - to Southern California:t.

So I'm looking for new places to snorkel/freedive/spearfish. I moved from Virginia, where I mostly swam and fished in rivers instead of oceans, so this is going to be a bit of an adjustment. I do realize that SoCal is one of North America's best places for our sport though, so I'm not expecting to be disappointed.

Places I've explored so far:

-Laguna Beach
-La Jolla
-Avalon, Catalina Island

These places are fun, but I notice that many of them are:

1) Crowded with people. Where are the lesser trafficked but equally beautiful areas?
2) Ecologically protected. Where are places where hunting is permitted? Also are there any groups that regularly go out that I could learn with?

 

[wax63]

Welcome to SoCal, if your job pays you enough to live, it is not a bad place to be forced to move -

If you are looking for a good place to dive that isn't crowded, good luck - there really isn't anwhere in SoCal that isn't crowded. Early morning dives (before 9 am) are the best way to avoid the general beach crowds.

You have hit good spots - you may also want to try to kelp beds off San Clemente Island, as well as off the Malibu coast if you want to go north - you should check out that area anyway, as a full L.A. tour is required if you want to appreciate (or hate) Orange County.

The crowds will also die down tremendously as the summer ends and the weather cools (crowds on the beach and in the water that is, as Laguna and La Jolla and such have plenty of activity year round). The swells do pick up during the winter, but you'll be alright, especially in spots like Laguna where the waves form and break almost immediately on the shore.

And someone please correct me if I am wrong, but for the most part, anywhere you'll be wanting to dive hunting is also allowed.