As the New Year rolls in, San Diego County health officials have dropped a damper on beach festivities by issuing a general rain advisory and water contact closures spanning the entire coast, impacting everything from San Onofre State Beach down to Border Field, reported Times of San Diego. This widespread advisory, announced on Sunday and kicking off immediately, warns locals and tourists to avoid entering the surf for at least three days post-rain due to potential bacterial spikes linked to urban runoff.

A multitude of beloved beachfront, among them Coronado and Silver Strand Shoreline, now bear closure signs, a situation compounded by the holiday rush and elevated bacteria levels—officials are urging public caution for typical water activities, the scenario stretched further with the Tijuana Slough Shoreline shuttering amidst cross-border pollution flows, San Diego County Beach Info communicated a list of the affected areas also includes Imperial Beach shorelines and parts of La Jolla, all grappling with the long shadow of pollution challenges. The scoop from Hoodline underscores an environmental quandary that's become the new norm, stressing a knowing pause before plunging into the Pacific.

The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality was behind the advisory, which advises against swimming, surfing, and diving following rainfall, with an emphasis on the risks near storm drains and rivers, the stated lift date is Wednesday at 9 a.m., and this could shift according to the whims of weather, official updates and additional information are available on their website as stated on SD Beach Info.

While temporary signs may not always pop up to announce these advisories, many locales now feature permanent metal warning markers, hammering home the persisting issue of ocean-water contamination stretching back decades and not isolated to holiday seasons, an advisory at La Jolla's Children's Pool area echoes a narrative that's familiar to residents since 1997 and presented as a chronic reminder of the public health stakes at play. As city stewards and environmental entities double down on the pollution puzzle, they maintain a clarion call for the public to exercise caution and abide by these directives to avoid any unwanted holiday souvenirs in the form of health complications. The community keeps its eye on the SDBeachH2O X feed for rapid reports on coastal updates.

Beach Status Change, Effective December 31, 2023 at 9:00am-A General Rain Advisory has been issued for all coastal waters of San Diego County. More info at https://t.co/fvWGWvCAfb

— SD County Beach Info (@SDBeachH2O) December 31, 2023