Where are the biggest waves in nantucket?

Where did the storm waves that hit the California coast in December originate from?

• I have heard reports of 18 foot waves at Rincon Beach from observers I trust. I also heard that these waves came from the Gulf of Alaska. These waves were hitting the south facing part of the California coastline in the channel between the mainland and the Channel Islands. Was this an example of wave refraction?

• Answer:

  most southern facing beaches receive their high surf from storm off of Baja. I doubt there would have been enough bounce from the Alaska storms.