As Memorial Day weekend approaches, forecast Abundant sunshine may tempt many Southern Californians to take off their bathing suits — but researchers are warning of murky waters at some local beaches.
For the 10th consecutive year, the area around the Santa Monica Pier was named one of the dirtiest beaches in California by researchers at environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay.
The annual Beach Report Card examines the amount of fecal pollution on the West Coast from Baja California to Washington State.
Researchers test fecal pollution because “even a single exposure to it can cause disease.” According to the report, the illnesses include rashes, ear and upper respiratory infections and gastrointestinal illness.
“Nobody should be getting sick over the weekend in our watershed,” fix the bay Chief Executive Tracy Quinn said in a prepared statement. “These findings are a reminder that water quality is not just a report, it is a public health issue that affects every beach goer and river user across California.”
An aerial view of 1000 Steps Beach in Laguna Beach, which made the Honor Roll in Heal the Bay’s annual report.
(Alan J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Of the 490 beaches monitored by Heal the Bay between 2025 and 2026, the top 10 dirtiest include six in San Mateo County, one in San Diego County and another in Humboldt County.
The Santa Monica Pier, specifically north of Pico and south of Wilshire Boulevard, remains the only Los Angeles County beach to make Heal the Bay’s list despite the city’s recent infrastructure improvements.
According to the report, the city of Santa Monica upgraded storm water collection systems and installed bird-deterrent nets in an effort to reduce pollution.
Trash and eggshells fell from the net beneath the Santa Monica Pier.
(Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times)
“Although many of these upgrades correspond to temporary improvements in water quality, bacteria levels have increased,” the report said.
The present bird net is dilapidated.
“These persistent problems highlight the need for continued investment and maintenance to improve the environmental health of the area,” the report said.
The Times contacted the City of Santa Monica for comment but did not receive a response prior to publication.
Heal the Bay said it has partnered with the city to create a task force dedicated to determining the cause of the reported pollution and informing future solutions to reduce the problem.
The task force, made up of government agencies, scientists, businesses and community members, has begun analyzing bacteria data over the past 20 years at the pier. The task force hopes to uncover trends and better understand why water in the region remains contaminated.
The report notes that water quality at the pier has historically varied within and between years.
Tourists hang out at the Santa Monica Pier. The waters below the pier made Heal the Bay’s Beach Bummer list.
(Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times)
“However, bacteria levels have been increasing since 2020, with monthly bacteria counts reaching 20 times the average safety limit in recent years,” according to the report.
“These levels are much higher than those seen before 2020, suggesting that a structural or environmental change has occurred that has caused these increases in pollution.”
in partnership with Southern California Coastal Water Research ProjectHeal the Bay researchers will conduct microbial source testing to determine where exactly this pollution originated. Through this specific bacteria test, researchers can look at the DNA structure to see if the bacteria can be linked to specific sources such as humans, birds, or dogs.
Fix the Gulf’s 10 dirtiest beaches
- Playa Blanca (Tijuana, Mexico)
- Santa Monica Pier (Los Angeles County)
- Erkenbrack Park (San Mateo County)
- Linda Mar Beach on San Pedro Creek (San Mateo County)
- Parkside Aquatic Park (San Mateo County)
- Pillar Point Harbor, Capistrano Road Beach (San Mateo County)
- Pillar Point Harbor, Harbor Beach (San Mateo County)
- Marlin Park (San Mateo County)
- Tijuana Slough (San Diego County) at the mouth of the Tijuana River
- Clam Beach County Park on Strawberry Creek (Humboldt County)
Of the state’s 490 monitored beaches, 21 earned a spot on Heal the Bay’s “Honor Roll,” a notable decrease from the 62 beaches on last year’s list.
Researchers say the low number is likely due to above-average seasonal rainfall in Southern California, a region that has historically dominated the “Honor Roll” list.
It should be noted that most of the beaches on the list are in Southern California and that’s because Northern and Central California counties do not monitor water quality year-round.
California’s Top 10 ‘Honor Roll’ Beaches
- Bluff Cove, Palos Verdes Estates (Los Angeles County)
- Capistrano County Beach, South Capistrano Bay (Orange County)
- Dana Point Harbor, guest dock (Orange County)
- Huntington City Beach and Beach Boulevard (Orange County)
- Huntington Harbor, Coral Beach (Orange County)
- Huntington Harbor Admiralty Drive Beach (Orange County)
- Laguna Beach, 1,000 Steps Beach at 9th Street (Orange County)
- Laguna Beach, Three Arch Bay (Orange County)
- Sunset Beach on Broadway (Orange County)
- Cardiff State Beach, Seaside State Park (San Diego County)
The 21-coast honor roll includes 11 in San Diego County, eight in Orange County and one each in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties.
