The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has some news you’ll want to hear before you hit the surf. Due to concerning levels of bacteria in the water at several L.A. County beaches, they're advising swimmers, surfers, and anyone planning a day of ocean play to steer clear of the water, as per the County of Los Angeles.

The affected areas, which have unfortunately earned this distinction due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards during the last inspection, include popular spots such as Topanga Canyon Beach and Santa Monica Pier. If you were planning to soak up the sun or catch some waves at these locations, it might be wise to reconsider your plans, the full list of warnings can be seen on the County's website.

In positive news, some beaches now meet state water quality standards, including the Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach, as reported by the County of Los Angeles. For real-time updates on safe beaches, call the County’s beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662, available 24/7.