24-05-2025
See the Southern California beaches you'll want to avoid swimming in for Memorial Day weekend
Southern California beaches are certain to get busy with Memorial Day just days away and the start to summer near, but not all beaches boast ocean water you'll want to take a dip in.
In fact, the annual Clean Water Report named three California beaches as some of the country's dirtiest.
So, ahead of the holiday weekend, the Desert Sun is checking which beaches you'll want to avoid swimming at across Southern California. All information regarding beach advisories and ocean water quality was retrieved on May 23, so be sure to check the beach you're headed to for the latest information.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued beach area warnings on May 22 for the following places due to bacteria levels exceeding health standards:
Santa Monia Pier, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier
Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain
Health officials say visitors should avoid swimming, surfing and playing in the ocean in the areas under the warning.
For the most up to date information about beach warnings and ocean water quality, visit the county's public health website.
Be sure to check Long Beach's recreational water monitoring website to check for any possible beach warnings in the area. As of May 22, all sampling sites at various Long Beach beaches show that bacteria levels are within state standards.
Hobie Beach in the Channel Islands Harbor has failed to meet state standards for bacteria, and people are advised to avoid contact with the ocean water for a minimum of 50 yards on either side of the posted signs, according to Ventura County's Resource Management Agency's update on May 23.
Visit Ventura County's Resource Management website for the most up to date information regarding beach warnings and ocean water quality.
Two Orange County beaches are under advisories, warning that ocean water bacteria levels exceed state health standards and could cause illness.
The beaches are:
75 feet upcoast to 75 feet downcoast of the Salt Creek at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point
75 feet upcoast to 75 feet downcoast of the Poche Creek at Poche Beach in the Dana Point and San Clemente area
Visit for the most up to date information regarding beach warnings and ocean water quality.
Sixteen beaches between Guadalupe Dunes Beach and Carpinteria State Beach are tested. Sample results from the week of Monday, May 19, find that all 16 beaches have water quality that meet state health standards, according to Santa Barbara County environmental health services.
Visit Santa Barbara County's public health website for the most up to date information about beach advisories and ocean water quality.
Five areas are under advisories due to bacteria levels exceeding health standards, according to San Diego County officials:
Avenida Lunar, Coronado
San Diego River outlet to 300 feet south, Ocean Beach Dog Beach
North Cove Vacation Isle, Mission Bay
San Luis Rey River outlet to 300 feet south, Oceanside
Children's Pool, La Jolla
Visitors are urged to avoid contact with water. The following beaches are closed due to bacteria levels, and visitors are similarly urged to avoid contact with water in the closure areas:
Tijuana Slough Shoreline
Silver Stand Shoreline
Imperial Beach Shoreline
Visit for the most up to date information about beach advisories and ocean water quality.
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Don't swim in these SoCal beaches this Memorial Day weekend
