Well there certainly is a lot of useful information complied in that guide. I have been diving avidly in southern California for the last six years, and have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to predict what the conditions will be. For beach based dives I personally do not go out if the surf forecast is greater than 2-3'. It just usually is not worth it, the viz will be very poor.
Surface conditions (beautiful day out, no wind, blue sky) does not mean it will be nice underwater though. At other times wind and swell will pump in clear blue water making great viz. Case in point; we left Ventura Harbor to dive Anacapa in Dec '16, the breakers hitting Ventura beaches were 15' high. The skipper had to wait at the harbor entrance for a lull and then race the boat out. It was booming. We went to a spot on the lee side of the island which the skipper remarked, "Oh we never get to dive here its usually to rough (on normal days)." Viz was 45' and beautiful. Dove the oil rigs one day; dive 1 50' viz at 0900, dive 2, 20' viz at 1100. I mean when there are small craft advisories out, the skippers will abort certain destinations and head some place they can make. For your trip to S/Cruz, you'll find out when you get there!
