Today, surfers make their runs at Maverick's, a spot just on the other side of Pillar Point where the waves consistently reach 30 feet.

Unlike in the 1980's, when the camps were virtual prisons, Pillar Point is open, and residents are encouraged to find jobs outside.

Historically this area has simply been called Pillar Point.

He kept hearing about the danger of Pillar Point and wanted to see it.

I have no feeling that I should have talked him out of going to Pillar Point.

And, as a peculiar result, Pillar Point is today a tourist attraction that draws at least 2,000 gawking people every afternoon.

"No, west of there near Pillar Point."

Any day now, the killer waves will come raging out of the gurgling surf off Pillar Point.

Not that big, but a good one," he said, changing from his wet suit in the mud parking lot about a mile from Pillar Point.

There is really no beach at Pillar Point, just rocks and cliffs.