In Reply to: How much swell would you consider *too much* - Diving around PV (Haggerty's, Flat Rock) posted by Pauline on January 19, 2011 at 11:57:43:

You've gotten some good advice. It depends on how rough and ready you are -- some of my friends want to rest when they're dead, others like an easier day on the water. Personally I wouldn't go out if the Santa Monica Bay buoy is running higher than 4'. If it's around 3-4, I look closely at the period as Max says.

Wind is also worth a look. There are some spots around Redondo and north PV where there is something interesting to dive on a compacted (flat, hard) bottom. It's easy to get a dragging anchor in circumstances like this (don't ask me know I know this :-) ).