2 NorCal Beaches On 'Beach Bummers' List: Heal The Bay Grades A-F

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — Water quality at California beaches declined last year, according to a new report. Most beaches scored great across the state last summer in Heal the Bay's 34th annual Beach Report Card, but scores were well below average in the winter due to heavy rainfall and millions of gallons of sewage that spilled into the ocean.

The environmental nonprofit assigned A-to-F grades to about 700 beaches along the Pacific Coast, from Washington state to Baja California, based on levels of bacterial pollution. The organization gave beaches three separate grades for dry conditions in the summer and winter seasons, as well as wet weather conditions.

This year, coastal counties received 31 percent more rainfall than the 10-year average, according to the report.

"Eighty-nine percent of California beaches were safe to swim at during summer 2023, but we are still seeing water quality impacts from record-breaking storms, urban runoff, and sewage spills," said Tracy Quinn, Heal the Bay's CEO and president. "California's 20th century water infrastructure was not designed to address the challenges faced by climate change in the 21st century. We need to upgrade outdated sewage treatment facilities and prioritize public investment in nature-based, multi-benefit stormwater capture infrastructure."

About 90 percent of beaches in Northern and Southern California earned A and B grades during the busy summer season, according to the report.

In Northern California, winter dry grades were below average with only 50 percent of beaches tested earning A and B grades.

"Northern California experienced above-average rainfall last year, though the increase was not as pronounced as in Central and Southern California," the report said.

In Southern California, winter dry grades were far below average, with 70 percent of beaches receiving A and B grades.

"The intense rain events, particularly during the winter, washed more bacteria into the ocean, resulting in lower Winter Dry Grades and fewer Southern California beaches achieving Honor Roll status," the report said.

This year, only 12 of the more than 500 monitored beaches in California made Heal the Bay's Honor Roll. While this was up from just two beaches last year, it remained significantly lower than the typical 30 to 50 beaches that make the list. This year's short Honor Roll list was largely due to the unprecedented rainfall during the winter, which substantially decreased overall water quality, according to Heal the Bay.

To earn a spot on the Honor Roll, a beach must be monitored weekly throughout the year and receive an A+ grade in all weather conditions.

Only beaches in Southern California made the list, and all but three are in Orange County. Notably, the Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego maintained its position on the Honor Roll for three consecutive years.

"Historically, the Honor Roll has been dominated by Southern California beaches, partly because many Northern and Central California counties do not monitor water quality year-round," the report said. "However, this year's severe winter weather affected water quality across all regions."

Heal the Bay's Honor Roll:

• Dana Point Harbor Fuel Dock, Orange County
• Huntington Harbor, Seagate Lagoon, Orange County
• Huntington Harbor, Trinidad Lane Beach, Orange County
• Newport Bay, Promontory Point, Orange County
• Dana Point, South Capistrano Bay Community Beach, Orange County
• Riviera Beach, Orange County
• Emerald Bay Beach, Orange County
• Marine Science Institute Beach (SERRA), Orange County
• Salt Creek Beach, Orange County
• Point Loma, Lighthouse, San Diego County
• Encinitas, Moonlight Beach, Cottonwood Creek, San Diego County
• County Line Beach, Ventura County

On the other end of the spectrum, two beaches in Northern California, six beaches in Southern California, and two beaches in Mexico landed on Heal the Bay's Beach Bummers list, which ranks the 10 most polluted beaches.

Heal the Bay's Beach Bummers:

1. Tijuana River Mouth, San Diego County
2. Playa Blanca, Baja California, 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 at Lifeguard Tower, Los Angeles County
10. El Faro, Baja California, Mexico

Read Heal the Bay's full report or view an interactive map of beach grades here.