Hi Rad
Saltwater is not as good as alkohol 
As far I remember
there is a big sign on that beach
telling all swimmer
what to do
when they are in trouble.
Glad you read it before going in.

It's next to  the parking lot  (after you paid your $5
entrance fee )
Just in front of the restrooms.

...when you cannot make it to the beach
   in the spot you are swimming in
   swimm parallel  to coastline
   to get to a easier spot ....

or something like that.

the restrooms are now now porta-potties.

i parked up at the state park lot north of there & walked down. it's only $3 now, and no one is ever there to collect the money. only on weekends during the summer, when locals know not to go.

but that is the correct course of action to take if you get caught in a rip: swim parallel to the shore.

But the whole tide was talking me north anyway, and i knew the sets wouldn't last forever.

There are actually 3 entrances to Crystal Cove .. off PCH. The north one is at Newport Coast Rd. The south entrance is at (I forget the name now). The one you're prolly talking about is in the center, between the other two .. the on that leads to the cottages. I never use that one cuz the assholes gave me a parking ticket there once. Totally bullshit, too. I contested the thing but they didn't see it my way.

You're correct, but daily tickets are only $3 now, and the guy is only there on the weekends. I bought an annual pass for $35 last year but never had to show it cuz the ranger was never there.

I went in right where the cottages are. I wouldn't call it a 'dip', tho.  

The storm is petering out now. But it's always surprising how much bigger the waves look when you're in the water, with your little head sticking out like a bobber on a fishing line, and the waves starts building in front of you. Before it breaks, you're looking straight up at it. Don't tell anybody, but I was pretty scared.