Greetings Chip;
I can not help you with the West Coast as I reside in CT but yesterday I just finished reading "Deep Trouble"; a paper back from Sea Kayaker Magizine. If you have not read it pick up a copy. Many of the stories are located in the area you are refering to. Not to get you nervous but it will reinforce your respect for Mother Nature and the force of water. One of the main reasons for trouble that keep reappearing throughout was people not getting the latest weather updates which as you know can change quickly.
I like a quote that Derek Hutchinson used in the front of his book;

"A MAN WHO IS NOT AFRAID OF THE SEA WILL SOON BE DROWNED, HE SAID, FOR HE WILL BE GOING OUT ON A DAY HE SHOULDN'T.
BUT WE DO BE AFRAID OF THE SEA, AND WE ONLY BE DROWNED NOW AND AGAIN"
John Millington Synge

Pretty much says it all; Have a great trip, wish I could join you;
Timothy Mulherin