I finally found out why this area is called Bolsa Chica. It took a couple of maps and it all made perfect sense.
The little hill with trees on it would be surrounded by water in big rains back in the old rancho days and the cowboys who were familiar with the entire area for hundreds of miles called it "little pocket" The translations never seemed to quite match right in the modern era. There are three rivers in the area. The Los Angeles river, San Gabriel, and Santa Ana. When they all flooded their banks it must have been quite a sight. A birds eye view would have been amazing. Supposedly it happens every 100 years or so. Which means probably next year...Ouch did I really say that? If it does millions of people are going to be swimming.
Views towards the beach