Monterey Bay Diving

A travel journal to Monterey by LoCho

Monastary Beach Sign Photo - Monastery Beach, Monterey, California

Quote: Monterey is a popular area for Californian SCUBA enthusiasts, but if you're a non-diver you'll find plenty to do in this oceanside city.

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Monterey Bay Diving

Overview

Quote:

Monterey is one of my favorite places in California. This oceanside city is very popular amongst divers because of the diversity of marine life in the bay. Harbor seals,sea lions, and otters are not uncommon swimming partners. Besides diving, Monterey also offers nice hiking trails, campgrounds, bike paths, shopping, fine dining, and kayaking.Quick Tips: Diving in Monterey is best in the fall -- that's when you get the best visibility. You'll need a 6mm wetsuit or drysuit, hood, gloves,and booties -- the water is usually around 50 degrees farenheit -- BRR!Best Way To Get Around: Driving would be my suggestion for getting around Monterey. Parking can sometimes be hard to find...Read More

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Lone Oak Lodge

Hotel | "Lone Oak Motel"

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Clean, comfortable rooms, with TV, air conditioning & heating. I recommend this motel to divers because there is a designated area to wash off your gear after a day in the ocean and hang your stuff out to dry.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on January 23, 2001

Lone Oak Lodge
2221 N. Fremont Street
Monterey, California 93940
(831) 372-4924

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Tilie Gort's Cafe

Restaurant | "Tillie Gort's"

Quote:

I go to Tillie Gort's for lunch almost every time I dive. I was first recommended to this restaurant by my SCUBA instructor, and have been going back ever since.

The food at Tillie Gort's is light and healthy, yet satisfying and tasty. It is a good place for divers because you don't want to feel bloated when its time to gear up again after a surface interval.

We have never had a problem getting a table, although the restaurant is pretty small. The atmosphere is casual, which is nice when you are wearing sweats and your hair is all wet.

Try it out, don't let the silly name turn you away!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 29, 2001

Tilie Gort's Cafe
111 Central Ave
Pacific Grove, California 93950
+1 831 373 0335

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Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

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Attraction | "Point Lobos"

Quote:

Point Lobos is a lovely area to dive -- or just hang out around. There is an easy boat-ramp walk in entry point, which takes you into Whaler's Cove. You have to make reservations (you can do it online) to dive at Point Lobos and there is a small reservation fee. Only 15 dive teams are allowed in at a time, so it doesn't get crowded. The dive sites are varied at Point Lobos, and if you head towards the Pinnacles you have to be careful because the wave action can get rough. But there are plenty of easy sites which don't require long-distance swimming to get to. Ask the person at the gate for a map and you can choose where to go, or talk to some other divers there. ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 23, 2001

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Highway 1 South Of Carmel River
Carmel, California 93923
(831) 624-4909

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Breakwater Cove Marina

Attraction | "Breakwater Cove"

Quote:

Breakwater Cove is a pretty easy dive because navigation is simple... just follow the breakwater out and back in. If you swim out far enough you'll see sea lions if you go at the right time of year. Along the breakwater, you'll see seastars, sea cucumbers, anemones, crabs, and assorted fish. If you head away from the breakwater, there are some kelp beds which are always interesting. Night dives at the breakwater are ok if the visibility is good. You'll see a ton of crabs, and maybe octopi. I like diving at breakwater cove if I'm not feeling very ambitious. There are outdoor showers conveniently located and bathrooms in the parking lot. You have to pay ...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on January 23, 2001

Breakwater Cove Marina
32 Cannery Row
Monterey, California 93940
(831) 373-7875

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Monastery Beach

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Attraction | "Monastary Beach"

Kelly with Monastary in the background Photo - Monastery Beach, Monterey, California

Quote:

We dove at Monastary Beach for our Advanced Certification class. We had to do a crawling entry and exit and then did a deep dive to about 90 feet.

Getting in and out of the water is the most intimidating part of the dive, but once you're in its not so bad because the kelp beds are a very short swim away.

I don't recommend Monastary Beach unless you have your Advanced C-card, and experience in rugged surf zones.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on January 29, 2001

Monastery Beach
in Carmel
Monterey, California

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Eating in Monterey

Story/Tip

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There are a plethora of dining establishments in Monterey because it is rather touristy.

I recommend staying away from the overpriced restaurants on Cannery Row and heading up to Lighthouse Road to find better and cheaper food.

There are bagel shops, pizza places, seafood restaurants, whatever you want. I recommend the Cioppino, because the seafood is fresh. There is a Baskin Robbins near Breakwater Cove -- that's one of my favorite stops between dives when the weather is warm.

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Asilomar Conference Grounds

Story/Tip

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Asilomar is one of the best conference centers I have seen -- much nicer than typical convention centers or hotels. You can stay on the grounds for convenience and the meals provided are decent and filling.

One of the attractions to Asilomar is the way the buildings are situated. To get from room to room, you stroll through woodsy walkways and you can see the ocean across the road. During lunch, I like to sit on the beach and watch the waves roll in -- its very therapeutic!

If you are looking for a place for your business to have a conference that employees will appreciate and enjoy, I highly recommend looking into Asilomar's facilities.