Everyone has mixed feelings about Beach Cities. I was required to go there to pick up personal gear for diving. They didn't tell you that you also HAD to spend $300/person to get the rentals for the class. So when they found out that I hadn't spent the required $$ per person, I had to buy the remainder in gift card form.
Yes, they have nice gear. You can also find that gear online or at other local joints (Scuba dot C O M is in Irvine and I am a HUGE fan of Sport Chalet).
I also always feel pressured when I go in there. I went in to rent tanks ($10) and they tried to get me to buy a package with all kinds of stuff ($4,000). I was looking to spend $10, not 400x10.
I also think that they take advantage of you if you are new to the sport. Trying to get you to buy all sorts of things that you don't need. Divers will all agree that the snorkel is the most useless piece of dive equipment and yet Beach Cities talked me into a $50 snorkel that now sits in a drawer.
They are definitely looking to make profit and so you feel that they are trying to gouge you at every corner.
Pros: They carry the ""dive shop"" brands that you can't get online
Cons: Things are not priced, they are SUPER expensive
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