Drive & dive 2010 suggestions

[dieseldude]

Especially interested in hearing from my oregon/california brothers & sisters on this. I am taking my eldest daughter on a road trip for her Senior/graduation present. She has decided that it will likely be the last chance to do something special with her Dad since she is all grown up now. I told her I would do it but I must get some diving in. For Oregon, I will only do 1 dive site & we are driving down HWY 101. So tell me what the absolute best spot to dive is. I'm willing to go to 130' solo or 150' with a buddy if anyone cared to escort me & willing to go to a wreck but not penetrate(dont want to make it too complicated as this is just me sneaking in a dive)Day or night is ok. I will time the drive accordingly.
As for California, I tenatively want to do monterey bay,Catalina Island, & LaJolla cove. If anyone thinks there are better opportunities, let me know.
We will be making several stops for her personal interests along the way & will likely do this spring time or early summer. I am just beginning the planning stages & look forward to hearing suggestions.
MJ

[Bric Martin]

Great spots in Oregon are somewhat limited. The best spot that I have dove in Oregon is Clear Lake. Its beautiful with crystal clear water, its the only place that I have dove that I could say "unlimited visibilty". Clear Lake is a long ways from 101, and it has some altitude issues.

You might give Eugene Skin Divers Supply a call. They might have some information on Coos/Winchester Bay or other spots along the southern coast.

Good Luck!

[nwbobber]

If I were picking a spot near Monterey, I would go to Point Lobos. One of my best dives ever.
This is a map of the area. You need reservations to dive.
http://www.pointlobos.org/DiveSpots.html

[oregondiver]

or work on your monastery crawl here...make sure to buy the shirt that said you did it afterwards. (although I was still getting sand out of my inflators for 6 months afterwards)
http://www.scubamonterey.com/infokmonastery.html

[oregondiver]

A great dive if you ARE NOT taking 101 down through Oregon....
Get on I-5 and drive to Portland, and go dive the Clackamas River
70 Minutes 20 feet max 18 feet average Shore dive
Description:
Clackamas Cove on the Clackamas River - Oregon City, OR.
River Day dive 12 feet visibility Current: Slow
Water temp: 46 F in March Air temp: 67 F Lead: 30 lbs. Tank: AL 80

Ok, nothing to see but garbage underwater but cool dive nonethless.

Then 1.5 hours south of Oregon/Wa border is Salem and then 45 minute drive over for Big Cliff Drift Dive (but I don't know if it is IN during your timeframe)
Big Cliff at Detroit, OR - between the two dams: Drift dive. One of the most unique dives in the country. Water is let out of the dam creating a great ride! Like flying along in a Wile E. Coyote cartoon! Great topography and rock formations. Life includes sculpin, trout, crawdads, lost human items, white fish, and Giant Pacific Salamanders. This is especially great at night when more life emerges. Water comes from the bottom of the dam, so expect cold, clear waters until Sept. & Oct. (which is the ultimate drift season). Avg depth is 30' with a 76' hole near the end. Dive ends at Big Cliff boat ramp (which is also a good & easy shore dive). ETA from Salem: 45 minutes

Then of course you have Clear Lake (about 2 hours from I-5). Fabulous dive everyone should do once or twice at least!

Then continue south on I-5 and head for the coast/101 at Grants Pass (in Oregon), you will drive right by the Oregon Lava Caves and then drop into the California Redwood Forest (45 min from Grants pass to the beach in Northern Cali if my memory serves me right). STUNNING drive through the redwoods on 101.

Then drive down 101 to Ft Bragg and go divign there (abalone season in? If so that is a very popular spot for abalone and good camping).

Then hit Monterey (Pt Lobos absolutely!) and continue further south to Catalina/LaJolla etc.

Post your final plans as you set it up. Would like to read/hear about it!