Point Lobos Marine Reserve

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful dive sites on Earth featuring crystal-clear water, towering kelp forests, stel...

Northern California cuisine combines fresh Pacific seafood with the wine country's farm-to-table tradition. Monterey's Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf serve fresh cioppino and clam chowder. San Francisco's diverse dining scene includes sourdough bread bowls with chowder, Dungeness crab, and innovative California cuisine. Mendocino features organic farm dining. The wine country influence extends to seafood preparations with local vintners creating perfect pairings. Artisan bread bakeries and farm-to-table cheese makers complement the extraordinary coastal dining scene.

Monterey Plaza Hotel

Fairmont San Francisco

Carmel Mission Inn

Little River Inn

Northern California encompasses some of the finest cold-water diving in North America, from the world-renowned kelp forests of Monterey Bay to the purple hydrocoral of Farnsworth Bank near San Francisco. Monterey Bay's Monastery Beach offers advanced shore diving through massive kelp with seals and whales, while Lover's Point provides easy entry with sea otters, octopus, and harbor seals. Point Lobos Marine Reserve is considered one of the most beautiful dive sites on Earth with crystal-clear water, stellar sea lions, and extraordinary kelp forest biodiversity. The Metridium Fields feature a massive white plumose anemone field creating an ethereal underwater landscape. San Francisco's Breakwater Cove provides excellent macro shore diving while Farnsworth Bank offers advanced boat diving with purple hydrocoral and giant sea bass. Fort Bragg and Mendocino add kelp forests with abalone and sea urchins.

California – Northern

Optimal conditions with excellent visibility.

Reduced visibility or challenging conditions.

Fly into the nearest regional airport and arrange ground transport. Local dive operators provide boat access to offshore sites.

Dive Sites in California – Northern

Point Lobos Marine Reserve