HMCS Yukon (Wreck)

The wreck of the Ruby E is part of San Diego’s famous ’Wreck Alley.’ Sitting just offshore from Mission Bay, the Ruby E is accessible only by boat and sits in deeper water, therefore is recommended for advanced divers only.

Mission Bay is not the most desirable dive spot but is a great back-up location, especially for open water classes, for when the ocean swell is too high for diving. The bay is protected so the water is always calm but visibility is not great and there is not too much to see.

Just around the corner from one of Southern California’s most popular dive sites La Jolla Shores, sits La Jolla Cove, the playground for a resident group of sea lions. This site is rockier and has kelp so it’s much different than it’s La Jolla Shores neighbor.

La Jolla Shores is the most popular dive site in San Diego county. Accessible from Kellogg Park, “The Shores“ is an easy beach entry unless the surf is high, then only those experienced in high surf entries should dive.

One of the very best dives in Laguna Beach. Easy entry, however you must enter and exit north or south of the houses you see to your left as you go down the stairs. Failure to do so can cause you to end up on a shallow reef.

Diver’s Cove is an easy entry shore dive great for beginning divers. You can access the beach by either the stairs located on the north side of the parking lot on Beverly & Myrtle Streets on Cliff Drive or the ramp on the south side of the parking lot. Be careful of sand as it makes the stairs and ramp slippery.

Shaws Cove is one of the most popular dive sites in Orange County, California. It’s an excellent shore diving site, easily accessible from Fairview Street and Cliff Drive. The stairway off of Cliff Drive is the easiest way to access the beach but use the handrails, the sand on the stairs can get very slippery.

Located in the heart of Southern California, Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach is one of the most popular dive sites in this area. It can be accessed from Circle Way via a set of stairs or near Cliff Drive via a paved ramp. The stairway is between private homes so please be mindful of the neighbors.

Corona del Mar State Beach is a great local beginner dive. Enter and exit at lifeguard tower 5 only. This is a City of Newport Beach requirement. Kick out to the first buoy in front of tower 5. This will be about 100m out. Descend and follow the reef towards the east.

San Clemente Island is Southern California’s best-kept secret. Most divers opt for the more popular Catalina Island or go south to the Coronados, but San Clemente is a great place to go on a short liveaboard trip from San Diego.