Swimming at most local beaches is a clean, healthy activity — usually.
But that changes during and after big storms, when millions of gallons of polluted rainwater flow off city streets and out of sewers into the ocean and local rivers and creeks.
Heal the Bay, a Santa Monica-based nonprofit, issued its 34th annual Beach Report Card this week, offering school-grade-style guidance about which beaches are and aren’t healthy.
Related story: Heal the Bay’s 2024 ‘Beach Report Card’ highlights link between rain, ocean health
While full lists are available at beachreportcard.org and healthebay.org/riverreportcard, here’s what they said about some of the most popular beaches in your area:
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
BEACH SUMMER DRY WINTER DRY WINTER WETAlamitos Bay B F CLong Beach, Mothers A F C Belmont Pier (west side) B C DMalibu Pier (east side) A NA ASanta Monica, Strand Street A NA AVenice Fishing Pier A+ NA BDockweiler, Grand Avenue A+ NA ARedondo, Topaz Avenue A+ NA A+Zuma, Zuma Creek B NA A+Will Rogers, Pulga Canyon A B BVenice, Rose Avenue A C BManhattan Beach Pier A C DRedondo Beach Pier A F B
Grades reflect bacteria levels recorded by health officials on dry summer days, dry winter days and rainy winter days. In recent years, big winter storms have generated ocean pollution during and after rainy periods. A, B and C grades mean you can swim, though with more caution as the grades worsen; D and F grades mean swimming isn’t recommended. An “NA” indicates testing wasn’t issued during the conditions in question. For a complete list, see healthebay.orgSource: Heal the Bay
ORANGE COUNTYBEACH SUMMER DRY WINTER DRY WINTER WETDOHENY, CAMPGROUND A C AMAIN BEACH, LAGUNA A NA BEL MORRO A+ A+ A+LITTLE CORONA C B BSAN CLEMENTE PIER A+ NA A+DIVER’S COVE A A A+NEWPORT, 19th STREET A A A+NEWPORT, 33rd STREET A A+ BHUNTINGTON HARBOR A+ A+ A+(SEAGATE LAGOON)DANA POINT, BABY BEACH B B C
Grades reflect bacteria levels recorded by health officials on dry summer days, dry winter days and rainy winter days. In recent years, big winter storms have generated ocean pollution during and after rainy periods. A, B and C grades mean you can swim, though with more caution as the grades worsen; D and F grades mean swimming isn’t recommended. An “NA” indicates testing wasn’t issued during the conditions in question. For a complete list, see healthebay.orgSource: Heal the Bay
2024 HONOR ROLL BEACHESHeal the Bay issues grades for more than 500 beaches in California, from the Mexican to the Oregon borders. Winter testing isn’t conducted at most beaches north of Ventura County, so those regions typically aren’t eligible to make Heal the Bay’s highest grades. This year’s Honor Roll reflects less storm runoff in suburban areas of Orange County.
DANA POINT HARBOR, FUEL DOCK – ORANGE COUNTYHUNTINGTON HARBOR, SEAGATE LAGOON – ORANGE COUNTYHUNTINGTON HARBOR, TRINIDAD LANE BEACH – ORANGE COUNTYNEWPORT BAY, PROMONTORY POINT – ORANGE COUNTYSOUTH CAPISTRANO BAY COMMUNITY BEACH – ORANGE COUNTYSAN CLEMENTE, RIVIERA BEACH – ORANGE COUNTYEMERALD BAY – ORANGE COUNTYMARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE BEACH – ORANGE COUNTYSALT CREEK – ORANGE COUNTYPOINT LOMA, LIGHTHOUSE – SAN DIEGO COUNTYMOONLIGHT BEACH, ENCINITAS – SAN DIEGO COUNTYCOUNTY LINE BEACH – VENTURA COUNTYSOURCE: Heal the Bay
2024 BEACH BUMMERSHeal the Bay issued “bummer” ratings for several beaches in the Southern California area that consistently post high bacteria counts even during dry, summer days. The southern San Diego County region is affected by storm drain issues near the Tijuana River. Officials from the United States and Mexico are in discussions to fix that long-standing problem. Los Angeles County has similar storm drain problems in Santa Monica and the South Bay.
Beach CountyTIJUANA SLOUGH/RIVER MOUTH SAN DIEGOSANTA MONICA PIER LOS ANGELESTIJUANA SLOUGH/NORTH OF RIVER SAN DIEGOIMPERIAL BEACH, SEACOAST DRIVE SAN DIEGOBORDER FIELD STATE PARK SAN DIEGOMARINA DEL REY, MOTHER’S BEACH LOS ANGELESSource: Heal the Bay
FRESH WATER SPOTSHeal the Bay scientists test bacteria levels in several popular fresh water swimming and wading areas in Los Angeles County. Some spots rate well while others aren’t considered healthy enough for swimming.
HONOR ROLL SPOTSSite Water sourceHANSEN DAM LAKE LOS ANGELES RIVERHIDDEN SPRINGS LOS ANGELES RIVERBIG TUJUNGA CREEK LOS ANGELES RIVER(VOGEL FLATS)BIG TUJUNGA CREEK LOS ANGELES RIVER(DELTA FLATS)SAN GABRIEL RIVER SAN GABRIEL RIVER(UPPER WEST FORK)SAN GABRIEL RIVER SAN GABRIEL RIVER(UPPER EAST FORK)SAN GABRIEL RIVER SAN GABRIEL RIVER(EAST CATTLE CANYON)SAN GABRIEL RIVER SAN GABRIEL RIVER(UPPER CATTLE CANYON)ROCK POOL MALIBU CREEK
FRESH WATER FAILSSite Water sourceCOMPTON CREEK LOS ANGELES RIVESOUTH COMPTON CREEK LOS ANGELES RIVERBULL CREEK LOS ANGELES RIVERTUJUNGA WASH LOS ANGELES RIVER(HANSEN DAM)WILLOW STREET LOS ANGELES RIVERRIO HONDO CONFLUENCE LOS ANGELES RIVERSource: Heal the Bay