One of the best abalone diving areas in California is Smuggler’s Cove, located just across the street from the inn. Strictly regulated by the state, abalone divers can’t use any scuba equipment and the maximum limit is 3 per day. Last fall, my daughter, Taylor, came up to visit. One of our guests went out diving and brought back his limit. He was kind enough to give one of them to us and our chef prepared it. It was the first seafood Taylor had ever eaten and she liked it. I hated to be the one to tell her that abalone was a rare treat and quite expensive in restaurants.