Wednesday through Friday we're Epically beautiful conditions/surf there. Friday was the most beautiful big surf I've ever seen in San Diego, and I've been here all my life.
Those look like Kelly Slater type waves. Pacific Beach had some 15-20' waves during a winter storm back around Jan. 2011. I gauged them off the crystal pier. Guys were surfing right next to the pier..crazy.
For beach breaks, IMO, Blacks is the most consistent and rideable by far. I'm partial to Blacks because I lived in SD for years and surfed it more than any other break in my life; but I've surfed El Porto, Hollywood Beach in Oxnard, and Huntington Cliffs just as heavy. Hammerland and Silverstrand get even nastier than Blacks in how hard they come over from what I've seen. Never surfed either. Too many pros/semi pros and hassle when they're on to be worth it for me.
I know it used to be in the 60s through 80s. Ive never seen more then 25 30 people there as it was a dangerous journey from parking to the water. 20in tall steps made of wood barely long enough for a small foot front to back. I grew up and then was stationed close to there. Have not seen it since 1983 WOW Its a regular beach now it looks like. No more hiding from the law near the steep cliffs for the nudest. I bet they charge now to get there as well.
I definitely don't have an EXTREME sticker on my car. I wasn't disrespecting in any way. I just don't think it is as heavy wave. That really sounds like you had a shitty night! I honestly would be shitting a cactus if that happened to me. I got sucked out at Rincon point about a mile or so and had to paddle back in at low tide. I saw my first white shark that day and most definitely wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. It's a fucked up feeling.
HA heaviest in so cal? try surfing 10th street newport on a big south west. You'll get your ass handed to you like no other. This wave is definitely heavy but nothing like north county shore break. If you go out at 10th on a day bigger than 5ft you'll see me there riding everyday of that swell.