Best spot to view Mavericks?

[kayadogg]

Heading up to Santa Cruz next weekend for a few days and we plan on driving up to Pillar Point  since we've never been there. I know that Mavericks wont show much if there is no swell but if there are waves, what's the best/easiest place to watch? Any local info would be greatly appreciated.

[supthecreek]

Johnny.... PM beasho... go surfing with him at his left around the corner.... watch the action from water level .... yeah!
Bring your Pee Wee  Herman bicycle so you can get to the beach.

[kayadogg]

Haha! Good thinking Rick 

[southwesterly]

There really isn't a good place to watch Mavericks except from the water. The top of the cliff (if you can get on top behind the fence) is the best, but even that is really far away. From the beach or the side of the cliff, it's really hard to make out what is really happening out there.

Getting on a boat is your best bet. Or just paddle out. But I have to tell you, if Mav's is really breaking even the "channel" is super gnarly.

Maybe Beasho will chime in and spill some secrets.

[supdiscobay]

Swell doesn't look good for Sat/Sun, but it might break at low tide on Thurs/Fri (it'd be small though) and the weather looks favorable too. Really hard to tell.
If it breaks, even if its small, paddle out.  You might even be enticed to try it.
Watching from the beach is impossible and climbing up the ridge to the fence isn't the best either. 
First time I went to watch, I swore I wouldn't come back unless I had a boat, ski or paddled out.
SW is right about the channel, even when its mid size, it can be gnarly, but it is doable and once outside it is fine.
I should say, I have yet to paddle out with the intent to catch a wave, but it was awesome watching. A really good work out too!