Franko’s Map of La Jolla Shores & Fish Identification Card

Side 1 shows Franko’s Map of La Jolla Shores, which accurately charts the coast from La Jolla’s Children’s Pool, up to Black’s Beach just North of Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Franko’s source for NOAA charts and tons of oceanic data). This was the first published Franko’s Fish Card, and was the original idea of Chris at OEX Dive Shop in La Jolla Shores. He also provided technical help and information contained on the map. Further information, such as the underwater contours, were provided by the nautical charts contained in the technical library at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The steep and deep La Jolla and Scripps Canyons are seen in darker and darker blue hues as they plunge into the depths. The favorite diving, snorkeling, swimming, surfing and kayaking spots of this fabulous, favorite area are shown. An inset shows the line of sea caves that dominate the La Jolla scenery as viewed from La Jolla Shores. This photo was taken from three photos, using an underwater camera while aboard a kayak near the half-mile buoy, with dozens of beautiful leopard sharks swimming about in the clear waters below. All of the main roads are shown to help the viewer get right to the water. Of course, that does not solve the parking problems! A funny side note about the day the La Jolla Cave photos were take: It was a cool Spring Day with almost no one around, except a young Japanese Couple, who were entering the water in a kayak they had rented from OEX Dive Shop. They got into two feet of water, about 50 feet from where I was simultaneously launching, and spotted their first leopard shark. This beautiful little beast, however, scared them right out of the water! In a panic, they ran all the way back to OEX, paddles in hand and life vests still on, and asked for a refund because these waters were shark infested!

Side 2 shows Franko’s La Jolla Kelp Forest Creatures, which is based os personal observation of what one might see in the La Jolla shores area. There always seems to be something big or something spectacular for the diver to witness. Anything from swarming leopard sharks in the Marine Room shallows, to giant sea bass, or endless schools of fish. The upwelling nutrient rich waters that come up from the canyons nourish this area and create such an extraordinary underwater, that making a fish card of it was a must. Some people believe this area represents San Diego’s best diving.