Los Angeles County beachgoers got a heads-up from health officials: steer clear of certain waters if you value your wellness. The Department of Public Health is waving the red flag for Topanga Canyon Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Redondo Beach Pier, and Mothers Beach, all thanks to bacterial levels that are through the roof. Swimmers, surfers, and those looking to splash around should think twice before diving in; these spots are just not safe right now, as per an advisory listed on PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach/.

Yet, it's not all doom and gloom for those hankering for some ocean time: health boffins have given the all-clear to water at Santa Monica Canyon Creek by Will Rogers State Beach and the Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach, the bacteria scare seems to have settled down and the waves are calling once again; these zones are within State standards, so swimmers and surf-lovers, rejoice. But hey, don't take our word for it, dial up the county's beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662 any time, day or night, to get the lowdown on the latest conditions.

For the detail-oriented and map-centric out there, the Department’s website is a treasure trove; it's got everything from the locations getting the thumbs-up for water fun to those slapped with a stern warning, all neatly mapped out. The health warning issued pulls no punches—stay out of the water in these hotspots to avoid any kind of nasty encounter with high bacteria levels that just won't do any favors for your health.