The North Coast of California

Never turn your back on the ocean.

You can not know when a giant "sleeper wave" will reach further up onto shore than you expect. You could be swept back into the ocean suddenly. Very cold water, strong cross currents, powerful undertow and jagged rocks are all very real possibilities. This ocean is very beautiful and very powerful. It deserves our respect.

Walking in the surf line along the beach can be fun, but here again one should be careful.
The outgoing waves can pull you out into the ocean if you are not careful.