Trouble in paradise could be the byline as the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued ocean water use warnings for several popular beaches, giving beachgoers in Southern California more than just the sun to worry about this weekend. The health department is advising residents to avoid a dip in these waters due to higher-than-normal bacterial levels that could pose some real risks to one's health.
The map of poignantly marked areas includes hot spots such as Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey, the entirety of the swim areas at both Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach and Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove, and a 100-yard stretch on either side of Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach. The list keeps on with hazard zones at Ramirez Creek near Paradise Cove Pier, the entire swim area at Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, and similar advisory perimeters at Topanga Canyon Beach and the Santa Monica Pier, where the surf meets safety concerns.
According to the official alert from the Department of Public Health, these warnings are in effect due to the recent assessment showing bacterial levels have surged past what's considered safe, probably because of contaminants that have no business mixing with your leisure time or the local marine life.
For those who prefer the sound of the waves from a safe distance, the county keeps a beach closure hotline open 24 hours at 1-800-525-5662; this way beach lovers can stay updated without the nasty surprise, but for beachgoers who perhaps rely more on modern tech, detailed maps and further specifics are ready for review online at the Public Health's dedicated beach advisory webpage.
