It was a great time. Since it was a small group I got a lot of individual instruction (I only dive a couple of times a year).

Our entire family got our PADI open water certification with Michael. Three teen kids and mom + dad. We found the experience to be intriguing and fun. Michael cares about safety more than anything else. The kids loved his sense of humor, and my wife and I loved his dedication and professionalism. In short, safety first; everything else excellent! read more

Dive California - Making family memories. Thank you Michael. You were incredible. - Scuba Diving Near Me

Did a 2 tank dive with Julian - great experience. He's passionate about diving and living a good life. 100% dive california and Julian next time I'm in the area! read more

Dive California - Scuba Diving Near Me

Julian provided an excellent dive. Provided great experience -made sure I saw lots of interesting things during a cold morning dive. Equipment was in great condition. Will absolutely dive with them again. read more

Michael Timm is not only eminently qualified, experienced and credentialed, he brings excitement, passion and care for his fellow human that goes beyond any expectation you might have. This is a man that enjoys what he does, and I found myself laughing and sitting on the edge of my chair the whole time. As a relatively novice swimmer, he made sure I felt comfortable and safe, while pushing me to achieve things I didn't think possible. He is generous with his time, energy, even his gear and his support and leadership goes beyond the weekend workshop. I'm inspired and see the ocean differently now. I see myself differently now. Danke Michael! read more

Dive California - Scuba Diving Near Me

Michael was awesome!! Highly professional, knowledgeable, on time, well equipped, and friendly. Booked for my friends last minute and everything went off without a hitch. We paid online and emailed the required paperwork prior to arrival, then pure fun the morning of! Both guys are dying to return. Thanks, Michael, for helping to make their visit in November a success! Can't wait to recommend you to others!!! read more

Dive California - Scuba Diving Near Me

Michael was a fantastic instructor, knowledgeable, quick, and funny as hell! We spent the pool next to a SCUBA class and they were all jealous we were laughing the whole time! Really excited to have the PADI freediver cert - thanks Michael! read more

I had a great experience diving with Michael! He was very responsive to my email inquiry and I really enjoyed diving with him. We met up at La Jolla Cove at 7:00 am and he reminded me how to set up my gear (I was a little rusty!). He briefed me on the dive site and on the wildlife we would likely encounter and we headed out. He brought his camera with him so he captured all the cool things we saw as well as the playful sea lion pups who came to check us out. He was also a delight to chat with on our surface interval. I would absolutely dive with Michael again and would recommend him to anyone! read more

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I was nervous about taking my first freediver course but Michael was very encouraging and helped me face my anxieties about freediving. I loved the whole experience and can't wait to continue this passion. Thank you Michael for this wonderful experience! read more

Dive California - Scuba Diving Near Me

Michael is a great diver, teacher and awesome person. I've worked with him on freediving courses, breath hold technique and a bunch of underwater work. I highly recommend him for any diving needs as he is extremely accommodating. read more

Dive California - Scuba Diving Near Me

Michael is a great instructor. I had so much fun diving with him that I can't wait to get back for round 2. I used to hate pool training, now I love it thanks to Michael. Highly recommend. read more

Dive California - Swimming out to training spot. - Scuba Diving Near Me

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I talk with a handful of my Dive Buddy's here in San Diego, all answer's we're, if you want to do a Free Diving Course, Dive California with Michael is the only place. It's a 2.5 day course. At the beginning of the course Michael went over all thoughts and concerns leading towards our Sunday ocean dive. During class time Michael was there making sure all 4 students understood, the fun & the responsibility of free diving. Prepping us for the written test. In the Dive California pool He went over all activities carefully to gain confidence in the ocean. Luckily the ocean was calm, Michael with his two buoys explained each procedure, then did an example as well. My daughter was one of the 4 students, we both learn a lot and never thought we could hold our breathe that long. All technique, thanks Michael & Dive California. I recommend Dive California, quality training, quality equipment good people. read more

Dive California - Scuba Diving Near Me

So I simply HATE having to rate this place one star, but in the 15 years I have been diving and dealing with dive shops, this is the worse experience I have had! I had gone in and met Michael Timm, the manager, and a very nice fellow actually. I told him that I had a piece of gear for sale, I told him my selling price was firm, and he agreed to meet with me on a certain day at a certain time and buy it. I drove a long ways to come back, and he wasn't there. The girl running the shop told me he went off jogging, but that she was instructed to give me $30 less than the price we agreed on. Wow.... I told her no way, expressed my disgust, and my time and money spent in gas to come to the shop (I had to go pick the item up in Temecula). Then she took my number and said she would call me later, and she never did. Diving is a safe sport, if followed by the book in detail. If this is how these people deal with their customers outside the training class and pool, I hate to see how they run their open water classes. I mean, the guy went jogging instead of meeting me at our agreed time! I guess when students do their pool skills he is off doing the back-stroke or yoga! They are nice people, don't get me wrong, but they are slackers. San Diego has better dive shops run by real professionals than this palce and its staff, so don't risk it with people who don't care enough about their customers to even show up for a simple appointment DURING BUSINESS HOURS. I wonder if the shop's owner knows that his store manager pursues personal leisure activities when he should be available to keep appointments with clients in the middle of the day! BOO! read more

I went to Dive California after a really bad experience with another local dive shop (House of Scuba) and can I just say, WHAT A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE!! I am new to diving but everyone who I spoke to was so friendly and helpful. As soon as I walked into their doors I was greeted with a warm welcome. I had about a zillion questions about gear and which would be best for me. The woman who helped me was knowledgeable and wasn't pushy. The manager of the shop Mike even came over at one point when he overheard I was new to diving and I asked him about some of the best local dive spots. I can tell that they are genuinely passionate about their jobs and weren't hesitant to share their experiences with me. It really makes me excited about going diving!!!!! YAY!! I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this dive shop and will be back for more classes and gear. Bonus: They have a pool onsite. :) read more

I have tried for 2 decades to get my wife to share my love of the ocean. Dive California offered an Amazon Local 2 for 1 deal on a guided snorkeling tour. It was a great value, and my wife entered the ocean for the first time in her life. Our tour guide was outstanding, and very understanding of my wife's ocean phobia. After a shaky start, we were both enjoying the beauty that lies beneath the water at La Jolla Cove. The owner of the shop even showed up to make sure we were all having fun. I highly recommend this business, and will return if I can ever convince my wife to become dive certified. read more

I took the freediving course with Michael and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Michael is easy going and really knows his stuff. I recommend Dive California if you want to learn how to freedive. There is no other place you can go and get such a great experience!!! read more

Dive California - Scuba Diving Near Me

Looking for a dive computer. Came in here for the first time. Very friendly service, but not huge selection. Prices were a little high, but had some reasonably priced items, too. read more

Dive California - Dive CA - Scuba Diving Near Me

I got certified here and bought some gear. They were very accommodating when it came to setting up a class for my brother and I (we opted for a private class because we didn't have time to wait for a scheduled one). The instructor was very good, she covered all the material in depth and moved at a good pace for us. The open water dives were a ton of fun, and we definitely became very comfortable being underwater. They get 3 stars for that experience. I'd give them 5 stars except for two things: 1) in addition to the relatively high cost of the class, which I didn't mind because you get what you pay for, they do nickle and dime you on the gear rental, and use it to pressure you to make gear purchases. It would be really nice if the cost of the class were all inclusive. 2) They really botched ordering a wetsuit for me. I wanted a 7mm w/ hood for ~$400, and they could only come up with one option that would meet my requirements, but they had to order it, and it turned out it was back ordered, and they didn't bother to let me know until I called them to see why it wasn't in yet. I wound up going over to House of Scuba, getting a much better deal, and walking out with my wetsuit on the same day. I think the staff at Dive California may be more knowledgeable, but they can't beat House of Scuba on selection, inventory, and price. read more

Recently took the open water diving course, what a blast!! It was such a great experience and the employees are extremely friendly and patient. My instructor was daniell dunn, she had to be the raddest lady I could have learned from. She has a great sense of humor and puts you at ease of you are nervous. I look forward to diving more with her. Thank you!!!! read more

I'm glad we chose Dive California and earned our certification through the SSI program (and not PADI). Dive California is one of the only shops that offers SSI. My 12 year old son and I needed a quick scuba certification (1 week) since we were both heading off to Boy Scout Camp in Emerald Bay, Catalina. Danielle, our divemaster was awesome! She gave us the confidence and skills needed to earn our open water certification in a short time without cutting corners. Plus she was very patient, which relaxed my son greatly. Danielle is extremely knowledgable, has 20+ dive years experience, and was fun to work with. We now have the confidence to dive on our own. Although pricey, it seems the world of Scuba is just expensive, especially initial costs. I checked prices for equipment online and it appears Dive California prices are fair. Therefore I have no concerns buying future equipment through this dive shop. Finally, Tim the manager / owner(?) was great! He helped us make sure we had the right fitting equipment. Definitely would recommend SSI Certification, Danielle, and Dive California. read more

I just heard Dive California - the shop - is closing. Michael Timm will still be teaching. read more

I booked a guided 2-dive at La Jolla--Michael & Chrissy were amazingly helpful; Michael got all the forms to me ASAP (tricky because I was in from out of town & wouldn't be in an area with cell service), and Chrissy was awesome during the dives, especially with surge & BCD issues. Would definitely look these guys up again next time I'm in SD. read more

My fiancée and I had an amazing experience during our referral-out certification process. This was hands down one of the best things we've spent money on. We are spending our honeymoon in Kauai and we wanted to get certified prior to our trip. We emailed Michael about the process and received a prompt response. After exploring our options, we decided to complete coursework and confined dives with Michael and finish our open water dives in Hawaii. We met up with Michael early on a Saturday and reviewed the PADI course. After the important stuff was other with, he explained all of the gear and how it was assembled, then had us break it down and put it back together several times. Next we hopped in the pool and ran though skills. Although the water was a little chilly (even though we had wetsuits, we were in the water for a few hours) we had an absolute blast. We were so stoked to be able to finish in one day, albeit a long one. Though we still have our final dives ahead of us, we are stoked to have learned how to dive the RIGHT WAY with a fantastic, experienced instructor. Long story short: Small focused class size. Very thorough and straight forward in explaining all aspects of the dive from start to finish. Quality equipment. Awesome experience. read more

Michael was an outstanding freedive instructor and helped me reach depths I never thought possible! Also learned so much about the physiology of freediving and the art of relaxation and breathing. Can't wait to take the next course and learn to dive deeper and longer! read more

I went to dive California to get my regulator and dive computer serviced. The dude behind the counter was rude and was basically as wise guy. I asked if they rented tanks out he told me we are a dive shop. Anyway I asked for a full over haul of my gear I was told 11-14 days they would either give me a call. Tell me it's been over a month and still no call. I tried to call but no one amswered. Long story short I paid $100 and that's just the overhaul not even including parts. He tried to say my 1st stage was seized and I opened it with ease. Stay away rude and horrible service. read more

I have been diving since 2009 and I have gone and shopped at pretty much every dive shop and chain. However, Dive California stands out above the rest! I was on the market to buy new gear (BCD, wet suit) and I had given myself a budget to work with. Michael Timm who is the owner worked with me and even let me use his pool to try out the new gear. On top of that he was able to work within my budget and already had product ideas for me and was ready. The entire staff provided excellent customer service, kindness, and patience (putting on that wet suit is hard work). Everyone here is enthusiastic and loves to help you out! The prices are reasonable and not like the other scuba shops around here. They are helpful and always smiling :) I highly recommend Dive California to anyone. Check out their swim school too if you have little ones! Thanks again Michael! read more

Michael was an amazing instructor! The class was great and the whole process was smooth and very helpful! I recommend anyone that wants to get certified to take the course with Michael. I'm glad I did because now I feel more confident to free dive and experience the ocean in a whole different view! read more

I did a lot of research and decided on Dive California because of their small classes and thorough instruction. My 13 was getting certified and it was important to me that he was taught how to dive safely. The entire staff was helpful from start to finish. They went out of their way to accommodate our schedule. I would highly recommend Dive California. read more

The staff here is dedicated to providing a wonderful customer experience. The shop has a wide variety of fairly priced equipment to choose from. I highly recommend this business. Thanks Nick! read more

This place hooked me up with classes I need, the knowledge and the gear all for a fair price. They even talked me out of the more expensive stuff for the better fitting and cheaper mask!! Stoked overall! read more

When my friend suggested going on a local dive boat trip together, I started searching for charters. It turned out that Dive California was hosting a weekend-long charter trip to Catalina on the dates that we wanted to go. There were only a couple of spots left, and we jumped on the opportunity. The trip was $380, and covered 2 nights accommodations on the Sundiver dive boat, 2 full days of diving (4-5 dives/day), travel to dive sites all over the island, complementary instruction if you wanted the SSI boat diver specialty certification, tanks, weights, air fills, delicious food, and thoroughly excellent company. I can't say anything about the shop (since I've never been in it), but the people associated with the shop and this trip were top-notch! read more

I have to Admit, I was a littler nervous prior to taking this class. I never thought I would be able to hold my breath for a minute, but after one day in the pool, I was holding my breath for 3 minutes! They also have a heated indoor pool which is AWESOME! It was so convenient to go straight from the classroom to the pool. I can honestly say that I will definitely be referring all of my friends! read more

Everyone at Dive California was very helpful and friendly! I highly recommend them. I booked a vacation and realized just a few weeks before the trip that diving would be a must there, so I needed to get my diving certification done quickly. Dive California accommodated my schedule and set me up with Danielle for the training. She was with me from classroom to pool to ocean. She made me feel very comfortable and knew how to put me at ease through the whole process. Not only did she make the learning experience very fun, but she was an excellent teacher and I know that I will be able to dive enjoyably and safely now through my lifetime thanks to her. Thanks to everyone at Dive California and special thanks to my awesome instructor, Danielle! read more

I'm prepping for the Navy Diver program with two classmates and this is by far the best instructor we've hired to help us increase our breath hold and comfort in the water. Just tell them what your goals are and they will tailor lessons to your specific needs with knowledgable staff. Ask for Michael. We got more out of two 3 hr. sessions them you could ever ask for. read more

My wife and I had a tremendous time diving in La Jolla Cove with Michael this Labor Day weekend. We felt totally safe in and out of the water. He gave us an excellent Pre-Dive briefing, explaining the surge and entry/exit conditions, which are challenging with the small cove "packed like a Sardinian beach..." Michael worked really hard to keep us away from the crowds of other divers, triathletes, and snorkelers, so he could show us his little "Stashes" of lobsters, sting rays, and sea lions. The visibility was excellent on our first outing and the rolling emerald sea grass bejeweled with Garibaldi was surprisingly luxurious for such a heavily trafficked area. Clear skies allowed the sun to illuminate the kelp garden in an iconic fashion and we never felt rushed or as if we were on a conveyor belt as one sometimes does with guides. We got a full hour in the water each time and some fun stories and observations on land. Altogether a great experience. read more

Just took a Freediving course with Michael, and it was an amazing experience. The instruction is presented in a clear manner and a fun environment. Nothing is rushed, Michael really cares that you learn something. It is a challenging course at times and Michael is amazing at encouraging you to do more than you ever thought possible but never becoming pushy. There are no annoying sales people in the shop just water enthusiasts who are more than happy to help you find the perfect gear for your personal needs. Check out one of San Diego's true hidden gems. read more

By far the best dive shop in San Diego! Knowledgable staff and great gear selection!

I dove with my four sons, most recently certified, in early July. We arrived to La Jolla bay 10 minutes early and Michael had all the rental gear setup and organized. The equipment was in excellent condition and Michael and his assistant provided a high quality two tank dive. Each dive was over an hour. It was a highlight of our vacation to San Diego. read more

Dive California has been my go-to dive center for about 2 years. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and dive on a regular basis. This group focuses on safety so everyone can relax and enjoy diving. Michael Timm now owns the store and has made very positive improvements in the last few months (e.g., hiring more staff, broadening the variety of brands in stock). So, this business is worth your consideration and reconsideration. The Catalina trip mentioned in another review was an excellent trip (Sundiver provides lots of dives, good food, and an awesome crew). I've been on several trips organized through Dive California and have always had a great time (i.e., Los Coronados, San Clemente, Catalina, Eureka oil rig). read more

I recently moved to San Diego and wanted to get back into diving after five years of not going on a single dive. I did two refresher courses with Chrissy, who really helped me gain the confidence I needed in order to get back into diving. Then I took a Diver Stress and Rescue Course with Danielle, and I must say she helped me tremendously gain comfort being in the Pacific Ocean for the first time while teaching me amazing skills in order to help other people while diving. I definitely want to take more specialty courses through Dive California thanks to Chrissy and Danielle helping me find my passion again! read more