Okay, I have pulled together snorkel diving gear, including wetsuit and hard soled booties to deal with California's cold water and rocky beach entries. I have a fishing license which in California allows limited harvest of fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and kelp, plus a lobster report card - just submitted my first abalone report card [2 trips, 2 abalone]. I have driven north and south along the coast, and begun collecting books and maps. Looking for classes or guided foraging that is not too expensive [free would be fine!]