Dove many times straight out from Vallecitos. The first time we followed the shallow slope until it suddenly turned steep. We kept following and ended up at 100 ft. It was amazing and mesmerizing. It was as if we were being drawn in to keep going deeper. The assent was nice and peaceful too. It was gradual and slow enough that we didn't have to stop.
I do this dive quite a bit but we start from Vallecitos point and just head down the wall South. You need to drop south of the point and make pretty good time (and have good air consumption) but in a 70 - 80 min dive you can take the whole route there and back. Just follow the wall all the way south. There are more than one of those amphitheaters along the way as well. On the way back go up the wall until you hit 40 feet or so then you can just keep going East / North East when the wall turns and it'll get you back to La Jolla shores park.
@@SDScuba Ya I have done it many times on a single 100CF tank. Been using doubles lately but not necessary if your SAC rate is good. Also handy to have a depth sounder so you don't waste time dropping too late or too early.
I did this years ago. I agree, it's a long swim out. I wqs definitely sucking wind by the time we finally descended. Really makes me miss it. We saw some gnarly looking crabs down there! Super massive, body the size of a softball maybe? Long ass legs. Nice guide!
@@Lildoc911 They don't really expire as far a so know but they'd recommend a refresher if its been a while. Most shops can set you up with one but im not a dive pro so consider checking in with San Diego Divers as they're are a NAUI shop. If you Google "naui certification verification" you should be able to look yourself up.
@@Lildoc911they never expire. I learned to dive in the early 1970’s and the last dive I made was in 1975 on the Kona Coast. I decided to start diving again in the summer of 2021 and contacted NAUI to get a new card which they sent me. I learned at a Junior College so the course was over a semester. I took the advanced class the next semester which NAUI had no record of, only my open water cert. I bought new equipment, watched some you tube videos and practiced in my pool. I went to Turks and Caicos in September of 2021 and stayed at The Beaches resort. Since I had not dove since 1975, I had to take their refresher course before I could go out off their boat. I made three dives that September all about 35 to 45 feet deep. I just wanted to see if I was still comfortable in the water at that depth, which I was. I found it was like riding a bike, like I had never stopped diving, except the equipment seemed a lot heavier than when I was a lot younger! The bad thing about getting old! The people at their dive center asked if I wanted to take their advanced course so I could dive below 60 feet. I passed since I just wanted to do some easy dives. I don’t remember having any restrictions back in the 1970’s about how deep you could go as long as you were certified, don’t know when that changed. I was thinking about taking an advanced class when I got back at La Jolla but the cold water and low visibility stopped me. I went back to Turks and stayed at Beaches again and took their 5 dive advanced class in 80 degree water with 200 feet of visibility! I am now spoiled! I have been to Turks and Caicos in September 2021, May 2022, May 2023, Barbados December 2023 and will go back to Turks May 2924. Beaches is an all inclusive resort but the include diving as long as you are certified. If you go in the morning you can make 2 dives. The afternoon session you can only do one dive. Most resorts do not include scuba diving in their all inclusive and will charge about $150.00 per trip. I love the Beaches Resort at Turks and Caicos and how can you beat 80 degree water with 200 foot visibility! I’m 75 and plan on diving until I am no longer able to!
I love the map overlay you have! And the way you have the data presented. Is there a way I could acquire it. I scuba La Jolla a lot and that’s the coolest thing I’ve seen 1:16
What a great, educational and gorgeous video ! I am not a diver, but I have been an avid body surfer all my life. May I ask how the entry into the ocean is in terms of slope, specially in front of the La Jolla Shores Hotel, The Park and thereabouts ? I am in my mid-60's now therefore having a steep drop off is not my thing :-) Something nice and gradual so I can tire myself out with a good few hours of body surfing vs. tire myself out coming back in LOL ! Again, many thanks and cheers to you ! Marcia
The entry all along the shore at La Jolla Shores is basically flat and very gradually gets deeper. You don't really get any drop-offs until you're at least 150 yards off shore but usually farther. From the perspective of a bodysurfer you wouldn't experience any drop-offs other than the occasion holes that come and go with various surf conditions. You do have to keep an eye on the tides if you enter at the Marine Room. At high tide it could be difficult to enter through the path because the waves will be smashing up against the stairs. You'll also have more lifeguards (in summer) if you enter at Kellog Park instead of the Marine room During the summar time the area in front of the Marine room is a great spot to snorkel for Leppard sharks as well.
@@SDScuba Excellent !!! Thank you soso much for this great amount of detail. I went to college in SD and absolutely loved the city, people, beaches, vibe, you name it. Are you originally from SD ? Or were you there in the 70's ? I will name a few eateries that I still dream about which unfortunately eventually closed - and not due to lack of business. Off Carmel Valley Rd., technically in Del Mar but much closer to the UCSD campus - Carnegie A440 Pizza. Lord they had the best pies ! Neat atmosphere with musical instruments dangling from the ceiling. Then on El Cajon Blvd. off 805 was Don Jose's. Another GREAT place and the best most authentic Mexican food - Ruth was our server and she was the ultimate. Then there's the Aspen Mine Co. also on El Cajon, Krishna Mulvey's in PB, Bollweaval's Burgers in La Jolla near the cove, Top of the Cove fancy-dancy, and Anthony's Star of the Sea on Harbor Island which had incredible abalone. Just naming a few :-) I can't wait to get back to my body surfing adventures at the shore and also Marine Street - er - maybe that should remain a distant memory at this stage of the game LOL !!! Cheers to you and many tnanks again ! m,
At about 3:30 you mention the visibility. How far is it at that moment? Its hard to see with the wide angle lens distorting our viewpoint so much. 15'?
I'd say closer to 20'. I want to get out and do this again when the swell calms down. Waves at the cove were massive today. Better at the shores but it made for a low vis dive.
@@SDScuba Very few of us realize that the California coast which we think of as slowly sloping beaches with lots of waves has any diving/snorkeling potential. But all you need is a protected bay or cove with no river emptying its muddy contents nearby and it could be surprisingly good. I spent weeks in this area one fall and never had a clue this was there. I missed so much.
It's certainly not like diving in the Caribbean and we learn to appreciate 20'+ days. The Channel Islands are great if you're looking for better visibility and would be my first choice if you have the opportunity to dive here. Where do you normally dive? Favorite places?
Wow, thanks for the guided tour SDScuba! This hands-on video is very informative and of great value to all of us who love La Jolla - divers or not. 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Just moved to SD and dove here today. Great visibility and the lineups are spot on. You weren’t kidding about the swim!
Haha, ya, it's a long one. How was the visibility down there? I might do it later this week too.
@@SDScuba Great! Probably 20-30 foot. Saw three octopus and a shark. Good welcome to SD but a little chilly compared to Florida!
Dove many times straight out from Vallecitos. The first time we followed the shallow slope until it suddenly turned steep. We kept following and ended up at 100 ft. It was amazing and mesmerizing. It was as if we were being drawn in to keep going deeper. The assent was nice and peaceful too. It was gradual and slow enough that we didn't have to stop.
So true about wanting to go deeper but remembering to stay within your limits. One of my favorite dives here.
Thanks for posting this, we dove it yesterday and the lineups were great!
Sweet! Thanks for the feedback. Glad the lineups worked out.
We used to do this dive back in the early 90's. It was referred to as the "Banzai Wall" back then. Really cool dive
I do this dive quite a bit but we start from Vallecitos point and just head down the wall South. You need to drop south of the point and make pretty good time (and have good air consumption) but in a 70 - 80 min dive you can take the whole route there and back. Just follow the wall all the way south. There are more than one of those amphitheaters along the way as well. On the way back go up the wall until you hit 40 feet or so then you can just keep going East / North East when the wall turns and it'll get you back to La Jolla shores park.
That's a good long dive. Do you do it with a 100CF tank? I'll have to give it a shot next time.
@@SDScuba Ya I have done it many times on a single 100CF tank. Been using doubles lately but not necessary if your SAC rate is good. Also handy to have a depth sounder so you don't waste time dropping too late or too early.
I did this years ago. I agree, it's a long swim out. I wqs definitely sucking wind by the time we finally descended. Really makes me miss it. We saw some gnarly looking crabs down there! Super massive, body the size of a softball maybe? Long ass legs. Nice guide!
Yea, Sheep Crabs.
We did this dive last week. It's one of my favorites!
@@SDScuba any idea how long NAUI certs last? Where can I look that stuff up?
@@Lildoc911 They don't really expire as far a so know but they'd recommend a refresher if its been a while. Most shops can set you up with one but im not a dive pro so consider checking in with San Diego Divers as they're are a NAUI shop.
If you Google "naui certification verification" you should be able to look yourself up.
@@SDScuba I love your channel watched several videos today, got a new sub! Be safe out there!
@@Lildoc911they never expire. I learned to dive in the early 1970’s and the last dive I made was in 1975 on the Kona Coast. I decided to start diving again in the summer of 2021 and contacted NAUI to get a new card which they sent me. I learned at a Junior College so the course was over a semester. I took the advanced class the next semester which NAUI had no record of, only my open water cert. I bought new equipment, watched some you tube videos and practiced in my pool. I went to Turks and Caicos in September of 2021 and stayed at The Beaches resort. Since I had not dove since 1975, I had to take their refresher course before I could go out off their boat. I made three dives that September all about 35 to 45 feet deep. I just wanted to see if I was still comfortable in the water at that depth, which I was. I found it was like riding a bike, like I had never stopped diving, except the equipment seemed a lot heavier than when I was a lot younger! The bad thing about getting old! The people at their dive center asked if I wanted to take their advanced course so I could dive below 60 feet. I passed since I just wanted to do some easy dives. I don’t remember having any restrictions back in the 1970’s about how deep you could go as long as you were certified, don’t know when that changed. I was thinking about taking an advanced class when I got back at La Jolla but the cold water and low visibility stopped me. I went back to Turks and stayed at Beaches again and took their 5 dive advanced class in 80 degree water with 200 feet of visibility! I am now spoiled! I have been to Turks and Caicos in September 2021, May 2022, May 2023, Barbados December 2023 and will go back to Turks May 2924. Beaches is an all inclusive resort but the include diving as long as you are certified. If you go in the morning you can make 2 dives. The afternoon session you can only do one dive. Most resorts do not include scuba diving in their all inclusive and will charge about $150.00 per trip. I love the Beaches Resort at Turks and Caicos and how can you beat 80 degree water with 200 foot visibility! I’m 75 and plan on diving until I am no longer able to!
Hey thanks for doing this! Your a rare find :)
You bet!
I love the map overlay you have! And the way you have the data presented. Is there a way I could acquire it. I scuba La Jolla a lot and that’s the coolest thing I’ve seen 1:16
I'm using the "La Jolla Shores Slate Topographic Map Waterproof Map" found in dive shops or Amazon.
What a great, educational and gorgeous video ! I am not a diver, but I have been an avid body surfer all my life. May I ask how the entry into the ocean is in terms of slope, specially in front of the La Jolla Shores Hotel, The Park and thereabouts ? I am in my mid-60's now therefore having a steep drop off is not my thing :-) Something nice and gradual so I can tire myself out with a good few hours of body surfing vs. tire myself out coming back in LOL ! Again, many thanks and cheers to you ! Marcia
The entry all along the shore at La Jolla Shores is basically flat and very gradually gets deeper. You don't really get any drop-offs until you're at least 150 yards off shore but usually farther. From the perspective of a bodysurfer you wouldn't experience any drop-offs other than the occasion holes that come and go with various surf conditions. You do have to keep an eye on the tides if you enter at the Marine Room. At high tide it could be difficult to enter through the path because the waves will be smashing up against the stairs. You'll also have more lifeguards (in summer) if you enter at Kellog Park instead of the Marine room
During the summar time the area in front of the Marine room is a great spot to snorkel for Leppard sharks as well.
@@SDScuba Excellent !!! Thank you soso much for this great amount of detail. I went to college in SD and absolutely loved the city, people, beaches, vibe, you name it. Are you originally from SD ? Or were you there in the 70's ? I will name a few eateries that I still dream about which unfortunately eventually closed - and not due to lack of business. Off Carmel Valley Rd., technically in Del Mar but much closer to the UCSD campus - Carnegie A440 Pizza. Lord they had the best pies ! Neat atmosphere with musical instruments dangling from the ceiling. Then on El Cajon Blvd. off 805 was Don Jose's. Another GREAT place and the best most authentic Mexican food - Ruth was our server and she was the ultimate. Then there's the Aspen Mine Co. also on El Cajon, Krishna Mulvey's in PB, Bollweaval's Burgers in La Jolla near the cove, Top of the Cove fancy-dancy, and Anthony's Star of the Sea on Harbor Island which had incredible abalone. Just naming a few :-) I can't wait to get back to my body surfing adventures at the shore and also Marine Street - er - maybe that should remain a distant memory at this stage of the game LOL !!! Cheers to you and many tnanks again ! m,
Pretty cool, that beach area seems to have allot to explore. Someone should sink a boat there to make it more of an adventure.
There's a few wreck offshore a mile or 2 but I don't think they could sink anything in this area because its a preserve.
At about 3:30 you mention the visibility. How far is it at that moment? Its hard to see with the wide angle lens distorting our viewpoint so much. 15'?
I'd say closer to 20'. I want to get out and do this again when the swell calms down. Waves at the cove were massive today. Better at the shores but it made for a low vis dive.
@@SDScuba Very few of us realize that the California coast which we think of as slowly sloping beaches with lots of waves has any diving/snorkeling potential. But all you need is a protected bay or cove with no river emptying its muddy contents nearby and it could be surprisingly good. I spent weeks in this area one fall and never had a clue this was there. I missed so much.
Thanks for the post. Gotta try one day, rare spot and much information. under water topography Thank you
Its a fun one. One of my favorites.
Got some shitty visibility in Southern California.
It's certainly not like diving in the Caribbean and we learn to appreciate 20'+ days.
The Channel Islands are great if you're looking for better visibility and would be my first choice if you have the opportunity to dive here.
Where do you normally dive? Favorite places?
I was surprised how clear the water could be at Blacks Beach below the Gliderport...