10 Things You Need to Know About Abalone Diving in Mendocino, CA

The cliffs of Mendocino

My Mendocino abalone diving adventure started with a drive from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Mendocino—which was one of the most stunning drives I have ever experienced. I lucked out on the weather and drove out of the city through sun-kissed hills that rose off the bay and up onto the swerving roads encompassed by trees that dappled my path with playful shadows. The road eventually led out to the graceful landscape of golden fields and layers of vineyards as I came into Sonoma wine country. My surroundings were so stunning that I decided that the next time I make the four-hour journey, I will set aside a full day and stay overnight at one of the many inns along the way and perhaps take in some wine-tasting before hitting the coastline. The end of my journey was enshrouded by Sequoias. The road took on a fairytale feeling of towering majesty and pine that swept open to the expansive coastline and sheer cliffs of the Pacific.
The Little River Inn (built in 1857) is set directly on North Highway One, a few miles outside of the charming town of Mendocino and just around the bend from Van Damme State Park. Pulling up felt familiar, almost as though I was visiting a dear friend or family member, and that set the warm and inviting precedent for the entire experience. The inn is ingrained in local history and is still run by the family that started it five generations ago. It’s beautifully managed. Every room features a view of the ocean and modern amenities and is kept with care and thoughtfulness. The place features a chef-run restaurant, a fantastic bar that has changed little since 1939 (you can whale-watch from the bar; they provide binoculars), a spa, a golf course, and even a cottage that sells yarn of every type called the Mendocino Yarn Shop (they teach knitting and crocheting as well).
The diving camp takes place over two days. The first day is a practice run and includes some “classroom” time with the experts from TritonX—licensed guides Josh Russo, Greg Fonts and Greg Shimaura. Many may wonder why a guide is needed when there’s freediving just off the coastline. If it’s your first time freediving, instruction is a must. It’s a whole new ballgame from diving with tanks, as you are relying on specific breathing technique and body control—and the waters can be unforgiving. This is not a hardcore-adventure-travel-type of thing to take on, but it’s definitely not for wimps. I grew up diving, to include freediving, but I was very grateful to have some of the world’s best freedivers guiding me through every procedure, safety and the laws of hunting abalone (yes, they are stringent and the coastline is heavily watched by wildlife officers).
Once you’re back from Van Damme Beach you have the option to learn how to clean and prep what you caught for the day. Having chef Marc Dym on site was a treat, as we also learned the different ways to prep abalone steak and enjoyed a beautiful meal created from our catch. The accompanying wine from Mendocino was a big bonus, and no matter where we were on the property there never seemed to be a lack of stunning views. In a short space of time it was easy to create friendships, and I have every intention of returning.
Here are ten things to know before you go:

Abalone catch in Mendocino, CA

1. You need a license
You must have a State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing license for the days you are hunting abalone. This is to include a Report Card that lists what the details of what was caught, where, when, etc. You can obtain a license from the CVS in Ft. Bragg, a short drive from prime abalone hunting off of Van Damme Beach. You can order them in advance through the CDFW site, but keep in mind delivery may take up to two weeks.

A room with a view at Little River Inn

2. The Little River Inn
There are several places to stay, but I highly recommend Little River Inn. It’s been family-owned for five generations, and every room has a knockout view of the ocean, and you are treated like welcome family.

Freediving equipment provided by TritonX

3. Wet suits should be 7 mm thick
If you bring your own wet suit, it should be at least 7 mm thick. The water is cold, even in the summer months. It should also include a hood, booties and gloves.

Tag your abalone

4. Know the rules of how many abalone you are permitted to pull
This season on the California North Coast the annual limit is 18, but only a total of nine can be taken from Sonoma and Marin Counties. It may not be obvious, but you are being monitored and it’s not unusual for the wildlife rangers to do a license spot check.

Whale-watching from Ole’s Bar

5. Whale watch at Ole’s Whale Watch Bar
If you haven’t had enough wildlife after your dive, the best place to get a drink and whale watch at the same time is Ole’s Whale Watch Bar, which is conveniently in the Little River Inn. They even provide the binoculars and the bartenders are excellent.

Rolling hills of Anderson Valley, CA

6. If you fly in to San Francisco, rent a car and make a day of the drive
The scenery coming out of the city into Marin County and then through the vineyards of Anderson Valley is stunning. You end up on a road winding through striking redwood forest that opens up to a coastline like no other.

Van Damme Beach in Mendocino

7. Forget something? You can pick it up in Ft. Bragg
If you forget anything Ft. Bragg is a short drive away from the primary diving spot of Van Damme Beach and is full of modern conveniences.

The town of Mendocino, CA

8. Take some time to visit the town of Mendocino
It’s quintessentially California quaint, with Victorian houses and lovely cafes set on the wild coastline of the Pacific.

Josh Russo of TritonX preps divers

9. Go with professional divers…
…especially if you are remotely new to free diving. This is not a sport to be taken lightly, and even in shallow depths there is opportunity for bad things to happen. Being taught the right way to dive and harvest abalone is imperative not only to personal safety, but also to the future of the abalone population.

Van Damme Beach in Mendocino

10. Sign up for Abalone Camp
Make your experience streamlined and sign up for Abalone Camp or another of Little River Inn’s abalone diving options that include accommodation, gear, meals, and world-class freediving guides. The Abalone Camp package starts at $393. It’s a fun and social way to enjoy learning how to catch, clean and cook abalone—all while under the care of professionals who love what they do. There is also an Abalone Adventure at the Albion Schoolhouse package available August 1 – November 30, 2016. The package starts at $4,000 for six people. Reservations are based upon availability and require a 14-day notice. 

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10 Reasons To Visit Los Angeles

Hit the pavement and tour Los Angeles, California, where you’ll find an intoxicating mix of showbiz, art, culture and a vibrant night life, all rolled into one of the world’s largest, most unique cityscapes.

1. Disneyland

From 1955 onwards, the landmarks of Disneyland – the Matterhorn, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and New Orleans Square – have been as familiar and as “real” as the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building. A second theme park, Disney’s California Adventure, has been added adjacent to the original. Downtown Disney, a further addition, is an outdoor entertainment, restaurant and retail district. Together with the two parks and three Disney hotels, Downtown Disney forms the enormous complex called Disneyland Resort.

2. Catalina Island

This island may be only 22 miles across the sea, but it’s a world away from the urban velocity of L.A. Ferries dock in Mediterranean-flavoured Avalon, the island’s commercial hub. Most of the interior is protected nature preserve that may only be explored on foot or bicycle (permit required), or by taking an organized tour. These are excellent ways to learn about the island’s colourful history as a destination for sea otter poachers, smugglers, Union soldiers, mining speculators, and finally, tourists.

 

 

 

3. Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The largest encyclopedic art museum in the western US, LACMA was founded in 1910 and moved to its present Miracle Mile home in 1965. Its treasure trove includes paintings by Durer, Monet and Picasso; American and Latin American art; and works from the Middle East and Asia. A lively schedule of concerts, lectures and film screenings makes LACMA a community destination. The Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) opened in 2008; public spaces, gardens, and a building to house special exhibitions have subsequently been added.


 

4. The Grammy Museum

If you love music you won’t want to miss The Grammy Museum. Opened in 2008 (the Grammy’s 50th anniversary), the museum chronicles decades of popular music from all genres, and features four floors of interactive exhibits, rare collections of historical music artifacts, recording booths and a 200 seat theatre. Past exhibits have focused on legendary musicians like The Beatles, Bob Marley, Barbra Streisand and, of course, Michael Jackson. The pièce de résistance? Live performances from popular musicians, including John Legend, Ben Harper and Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav.


 

5. Griffith Park

Griffith Park is a 4,000-acre natural playground of rugged hills and gentle valleys, draped with native oak trees, manzanita, and sage and crisscrossed by hiking and horseback trails. The country’s largest urban park owes its existence to the Welsh Griffith Jenkins Griffith (1850-1919). In 1896, Griffith donated a large portion of his estate to the city with the proviso that it become “a place of recreation and rest for the masses.” Today, the park is filled with picnic areas, golf courses and tennis courts.

 

 

6. Sunset Strip

Sunset Strip has been a haven of hedonism since Prohibition days. Wedged between Hollywood and Beverly Hills, this 2.7-km of the Sunset Boulevard is crammed with hot nightclubs, hip rock venues, and fashionable boutiques. During Hollywood’s Glamour Age (1930-50), the stars trysted at the Chateau Marmont, partied at Trocadero, and talked shop at Schwab’s Pharmacy. Today’s hot spots rub shoulders with some historical landmarks.

 

 

 

7. Universal Studios Hollywood

The world’s largest movie and television studio sprang from the imagination of cinema pioneer Carl Laemmle. In 1915 he bought a former chicken ranch, brought in cameras, lights and actors and started making silent films. The theme park began taking shape in 1964. Today, Universal Studios Hollywood gets more visitors (about five million a year) than any other attraction in LA County. Among the studio’s greatest hits are Jaws (1975), Jurassic Park (1993) and Shrek (2001).

 

 

 

8. The Getty Center

An exquisite art collection, superb architecture, and lovely gardens combine with a hilltop location to create on of LA’s finest cultural destinations. Designed by Richard Meier, the Getty Center opened in December 1997 after 14 years of planning and construction. It unites the entities of the Getty Trust created by oil tycoon J. Paul Getty (1892-1976), including research and conservation institutes. At its core, however, is the museum with exquisite European art from illuminated manuscripts to Impressionistic paintings, contemporary sculpture, and photography.

 

 

 

9. Huntington Library, Art Collection and Botanical Gardens

The Huntington is one of those rare places that manages to please the eye, stimulate the mind and nourish the soul all at the same time. The former estate of railroad and real estate baron Henry E. Huntington (1850-1927), it consists of a trio of treasures: the art collections include fine examples of British, French and American art; the Huntington Library has about seven million rare manuscripts and books, including a Gutenberg Bible; and the Botanical Gardens are a fantastic feast of flora in a pleasing parklike setting.

10. Historic Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood Boulevard, home of the Walk of Fame, has always been synonymous with the glamour of moviemaking, especially during its heydays in the 1920s and 1930s. But like an aging diva, it eventually fell out of favour, teeming with runaways, drug addicts and prostitutes. Now the heart of Tinseltown is finally cleaning up its act – the old movie palaces have received facelifts, the mega-entertainment complex of Hollywood and Highland is a major draw, and even “Oscar” has found a permanent home here.

 

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