Summer Warning: Not All Beaches Are Safe
As beach season begins, Heal the Bay has released its 2025 Beach Report Card, rating the cleanliness of over 700 beaches from Washington to Mexico. The annual review scores beaches on water quality, offering a vital heads-up for beachgoers concerned about pollution.
The 10 Most Polluted Beaches
The report’s “Beach Bummers” list highlights the most contaminated coastlines, including some shockers:
1. Playa Blanca (Baja California, Mexico)
2. Santa Monica Pier (Los Angeles County)
3. Tijuana Slough at Tijuana River Mouth (San Diego County)
4. Chicken Ranch Beach at Channel (Marin County)
5. Linda Mar Beach at San Pedro Creek (San Mateo County)
6. Erckenbrack Park, Foster City (San Mateo County)
7. Tijuana Slough, North of Tijuana River (San Diego County)
8. Border Field State Park at Monument Road (San Diego County)
9. Imperial Beach at Seacoast Drive (San Diego County)
10. Pillar Point Harbor Beach (San Mateo County)
Notably, beaches in San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, and even popular tourist spots like Santa Monica made the list due to high pollution levels.
California’s Clean Beach Honor Roll
Fortunately, not all the news is bad. A significant improvement in water quality has placed 62 California beaches on the “Honor Roll,” receiving top marks of A+. Leading the pack:
Top Counties on the Clean Beach Honor Roll:
Orange County – 34 beaches
San Diego County – 12 beaches
Los Angeles County – 7 beaches
Ventura County – 5 beaches
San Mateo County – 2 beaches
Santa Barbara & San Francisco Counties – 1 beach each
Heal the Bay credited the improvement to reduced rainfall this past winter, which helped limit urban runoff—a major contributor to beach pollution.
Why This Matters
Clean beach water is essential for safe swimming and surfing. Polluted waters can carry harmful bacteria and viruses, posing serious health risks. With popular beaches like Santa Monica Pier scoring poorly, it’s more important than ever to check local water quality reports before heading out.
You can view the full Beach Report Card on Heal the Bay’s official website.