Los Angeles County beachgoers, think twice before you plunge into the ocean. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has just warned the public about several popular spots along the coast due to high bacterial levels in the water.

Swimmers, surfers, and anyone looking to enjoy the surf from Santa Monica to Marina Del Rey should heed warnings for areas including Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Canyon Creek by Will Rogers State Beach, Marine Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach, Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach, and Mothers Beach. Health officials advise staying clear of these waters, within a 100-yard radius in most cases, as the bacteria levels have shot up past the safe standards upon last inspection, according to a bulletin from the Department of Public Health.

However, it's not all bad news for local beach enthusiasts. Water quality tests have shown that the waters near Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain at Carbon Canyon Beach, Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach, and Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro are now considered safe for the public, as they meet the state's rigorous health standards.

County officials are keeping a close eye on the situation, regularly testing the water and providing updates to the public. For those who can't live without their daily dose of sea and sand, the County's beach closure hotline offers 24-hour, recorded information on current beach conditions. It's also worth checking the interactive map of impacted locations for real-time updates, available on the Public Health website.