CLIFFS VS. KELP: WHAT OFFERS MORE PROTECTION FROM THE WIND?

A friend has a theory that wind has to go over cliffs so there is a void close to shore causing cleaner conditions than a line-up where there is not a cliff lining the beach. I disagree. My buddy was comparing Pipes to the Cardiff beachbreak. My contention is that condition differences are a function of the kelp offshore San Elijo and not the presence of the cliffs lining the beach. Is there any validity to his theory? -Tom