Aquarius Dive Shop
2040 Del Monte Ave., Monterey, (831) 375‑1933, aquariusdivers.com
It’s sometimes easy for locals to take the majesty of our coast for granted – we live here. But in Monterey Bay, which is part of a national marine sanctuary named after it, is a world‑class destination for marine life. Ed Ricketts, a pioneering marine scientist who was one of John Steinbeck’s best friends, understood that. His seminal 1939 book, Between Pacific Tides, created waves that continue to resonate through the field today. But there is much amazing marine life you can’t see on the shore; you must submerge. To that end, Aquarius Dive Shop has you covered at every angle – they’ve got dive courses to get certified, all the equipment one needs, whether to rent or buy, and they lead guided dives through to the good stuff.