The Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, CA. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
You may want to think twice before taking that Memorial Day dip — especially if your beach plans includes a stroll near the Santa Monica Pier.
A new report released today suggests that the stretch of ocean hugging our most photographed landmark might not be the best place to test your immune system. Santa Monica once again ranks near the top of Heal the Bay’s annual “Beach Report Card,” marking its fifth straight year as one of California’s dirtiest coastal spots, thanks largely to stubborn bacteria levels and ongoing pollution issues.
In fact, we’re only slightly less grimy than this year’s overall winner, Playa Blanca near the Mexico border — a distinction that feels less like a silver medal and more like a warning label.
“No one should get sick from a weekend in our waters,” Heal the Bay CEO Tracy Quinn said in a statement. “These findings are a reminder that water quality isn’t just a report—it’s a public health issue that affects every beachgoer and river user across California.”
Heal the Bay evaluated 490 beaches statewide over the past year. Six of the most polluted turned up in San Mateo County, while Santa Monica—despite recent efforts like installing bird-deterring netting near storm drains—managed to stand alone as Los Angeles County’s only entry in the top 10.
This year’s report card was unveiled at a live media event held exactly where you’d expect: the Santa Monica Pier.
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