Snorkeling with young kids

Van Damn State park in Mendocino has a very calm cove. I've taken a lot of my first timers or not strong swimmers there for  spear fishing and abalone diving.

Thank you!  Keep 'em coming.  My kid actually asks me if there is more tip from daddy's friends on where to go 

Van Damme is very protected and is a great place to learn how to ab dive for beginners when the season is open. I took my son there when he was 9 for his first introduction to the cold Pacific waters.

But form the South Bay you are talking a four hour drive.

Monterey will be your best bet. The vis is a lot better on most days. It is much closer and the sea life is more abundant for beginning shore diving.

I dove Van Damme with Silent Hunter last September specifically targeting green lings for JDOTY.
We spent around 6 hours in the water and it was pretty barren compared to previous years. It was actually pretty sad looking and I've dove there many times.

He did end up with a nice green ling so mission was accomplished.

If you are in the Mendo area you should check out Van Damme but like I said Monterey is your best bet locally and is only 80 mins away.