Sometimes off of Blacks Beach at Torrey Pines in San Diego you can watch the shark schools swim casually along the first wave break. The funny thing is when people enter the water near them, they scatter away from the "apex predator".
Far to the north of you, we spent the weekend at Bandon, OR. The beach there is safe because no one will swim there without a wet suit. However, on occasion during a Winter storm the surf will push a log up on the beach and squash an unlucky beachcomber. The water is very cold and the seas are rough with bad currents and undertow. This weekend there was also a cold 20/30 mph wind. Typical Oregon Coast Spring/Summer weather.
Why go? It is beautiful and fascinating to watch the rugged coast and water. Bottom fishing with a charter will fill your freezer. After the wife overdoses on shopping in overpriced shops we can get superb seafood and then look out the window of our motel, enjoy an adult beverage and watch a beautiful sunset.