The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is waving a yellow flag on some popular coastal spots. Health officials have sounded the alarm over heightened bacterial levels, and beachgoers are advised to exercise caution at several Los Angeles County beaches. Visitors should avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters at hotspots such as Avalon Beach on Catalina Island and all the way down to Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu, according to the County of Los Angeles.
The advisory, which points to potential health risks from the exceeded bacterial-level benchmarks, specifically mentions a 100-foot stretch west of Avalon's pier and the entire swim area at Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey. Also on the list are the waters near Santa Monica Pier, the entirety of Inner Cabrillo Beach's swim zone in San Pedro, and a high-contamination zone 100 yards around Leo Carrillo's public restrooms.
As reported by the County of Los Angeles, warnings have been lifted for Redondo Beach Pier, Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove, and Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu – all of which now meet the State's rigorous water quality standards. Staying informed is easy: the County's 24-hour beach closure hotline provides recorded updates, and the Department of Public Health website offers a map of affected areas and more details. For specific questions, residents can call (626) 430-5360.
