San Diego's idyllic coastline continues to face an unwelcome visitor: pollution. Recent tests have prompted health officials to wave the red flag, informing beachgoers of heightened bacteria levels. While surfers and swimmers look for respite amidst the waves, it's crucial to steer clear of areas where advisories and closures are firmly in place.
Since June 6, an advisory has been planted at Ocean Beach's Dog Beach, marking the San Diego River outlet to 300' south with warnings of health standard-breaching bacteria levels. Think again if you want to play fetch or dip your toes at this spot. Since May 30, a similar advisory has loomed over Mission Bay’s North Cove, particularly around the southern drain, as reported by NBC San Diego.
It's not all sunshine and clean waters in La Jolla, where the staple tourist destination, Children's Pool, has been under a chronic advisory since 1997. However, the real concern is at Coronado, near the Coronado Lifeguard Tower, where an advisory has been alerting the public to potential health risks since June 16. It's a stark reminder of the ever-present tension between the natural allure of our coastlines and the ongoing struggle against pollution.
The situation turns from concerning to downright prohibitive when we look southward. Tijuana Slough Shoreline has been closed to water contact since December 8, 2021, due to cross-border flows from the U.S./Mexico border, affecting Border Field State Park and the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge. And that's not the only closure. Silver Strand and Imperial Beach shorelines have remained off-limits since early May and December last year, respectively, preventing any water contact along significant stretches of beach.
