Where to find urchins near SF?

I'e picked a few before by rockpicking.  They are much more plentiful just a few feet below the surface when out on rockpicking tides though, just like abalone.

No idea about specific spots down south.

How else were you planning on getting them if you didn't dive for them?

I guess you could rock pick for them on a minus tide but you would still need a wetsuit and mask. Don't know never rock picked????

Yea, that was my thinking. Figured maybe at a dead low tide there might be some accessible on rocks/reefs. I'm just guessing here, though. Haven't done it myself yet.

There's tons of them along the coast if you can dive down and get them.

Gave all away after first bite... haha. Not a fan of uni. I know some of my dive buddies are crazy about it.

If you fail to find them,let me know I can pick some.

Anyone else have any suggestions that might be a little closer to SF proper? e.g. anywhere in SF proper or San Mateo County?

Thanks a lot!

 I suggest you need more than 7 posts before asking for spots ...

-Allen

Yeah get out there and explore for yourself. It's more fun that way. The high quality urchins mostly come from Mendo.

A lot of high quality stuff comes from the Mendo Coast area 

A lot of high quality stuff comes from the Mendo Coast area 

Some things seem to get better the further north you go...

Not to hijack but I enjoy urchin however have never grabbed any while ab diving.  I see tons of them but have not felt comfortable preparing and eating without guidance of someone who has.  Do you just cut open the top and dig in?  I've searched for topics on this here but no luck.

I haven't done it myself (yet), but this video makes it seem pretty simple:

Nice!  Thanks for the video, I'm in. Next time I dive I'm bringing scissors.

Totally. Send me a PM when you're headed out and I'll try to join you. I'll bring some kitchen shears.

  If you don't mind some smaller ones, try Van Damn State Beach, Mendocino.  Go south slightly from the beach.  Out side of the 2nd set of rocks there is a big area of rocks that needs a kayak to get to.  There are plenty while rock picking in the low tide.  Eating is easy.  Wasabi, and soy sauce.  I like them plain.  Better yet, eat them while rock picking.  Just need a little bit of fresh water to water out the salt water.  Can't get any fresher than that.  The do need to be fresh though.

Sweet! Thanks for the tip, Ling A Ding. That sounds like pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. I'll try to check that out when I get a free weekend.