High surf in Southern California

A winter storm off the coast of Australia and New Zealand brought unusually high surf to the Southern California beaches.

A large wave crashes behind a surfer at the Wedge in Newport Beach, Calif. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. High tide and a winter storm off New Zealand are combining to bring high waves to the Southern California coast. The National Weather Service said waves of 8 feet to 11 feet or more could hit beaches from San Luis Obispo to San Diego counties through the afternoon and peak Thursday night or early Friday. (AP Photo/Orange County Register, Mark Rightmire)