Leo Carrillo

Entry and exit are from the beach. The shoreline can have moderate surf, so timing your entry and exit with wave sets is important. The beach has a gradual slope, making entries easier than at more steep locations.

Beach access is straightforward via a short path from the parking lot. The beach is wide and sandy, making it relatively easy to transport gear to the water's edge.

The site supports rich marine biodiversity including bright orange garibaldi, kelp bass, sheephead, and various rockfish. Lobsters and octopuses hide in the rocky crevices, while colorful nudibranchs can be spotted throughout the reef. Giant kelp forests provide habitat for many juvenile fish species.

The underwater landscape features extensive rocky reefs with numerous small caves, crevices, and swim-throughs. Large boulders create interesting formations and shelter for marine life. The reef gradually slopes to deeper water with sandy patches interspersed between rock formations. Dense kelp forests provide vertical structure throughout the dive site.

Paid parking is available in the Leo Carrillo State Beach lot. The lot is quite large but can fill up on summer weekends and holidays. Arrive early to secure a spot closer to the beach access point.

Leo Carrillo State Beach offers restrooms, outdoor showers, and picnic areas. There's also a small camp store nearby for basic supplies and refreshments.

Moderate to high during summer weekends but relatively uncrowded on weekdays and during off-season. The dive site is large enough that underwater congestion is rarely an issue once you're away from the entry point.

Be cautious of changing surf conditions, as swells can increase rapidly, making exit difficult. Strong surge can develop in the shallow reef areas even on days with modest swell, creating challenging conditions in swim-throughs. Kelp can become entangled with dive gear, so proper buoyancy control is essential. Check for sea urchins when wading through shallow areas, and watch for boat traffic when surfacing further from shore.