Heal the Bay has released its annual Beach Report Card for 2023-2024. This is the 34th such report published by the nonprofit, and we encourage all of you to read it before you hit the beach next weekend.
First, the good news. 90% of California beaches have received A or B scores for water quality.
“Southern California beaches (Santa Barbara to San Diego counties) got 90% A or B grades in the summer. NorCal beaches (Del Norte to Marin counties) also earned 90% A or B summer grades, while Central California beaches (San Francisco to San Luis Obispo counties) notched 84% A or B marks," according to Heal the Bay.
"But surfers and other year-round ocean-goers weren’t as fortunate. During the dry winter season (Nov. 2023-March 2024), only 66% of the 501 beaches monitored in California received overall A or B grades, well below the state’s 10-year winter average.”
Every year, the report lists the 10 most polluted beaches along the West Coast.
The 10 “Beach Bummers” for 2023-2024 are as follows:
1. Tijuana River Mouth (San Diego County)
2. Playa Blanca (Baja, Mexico)
3. Santa Monica Pier (Los Angeles County)
4. Tijuana Slough (San Diego County)
5. Linda Mar Beach (San Mateo County)
6. Lakeshore Park (San Mateo County)
7. Imperial Beach at Seacoast Drive (San Diego County)
8. Border Field State Park (San Diego County)
9. Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach (Los Angeles County)
10. El Faro (Baja, Mexico)
List was compiled by Heal the Bay and does not necessarily represent all beaches.