Santa Monica Pier area among the dirtiest beaches for 10th year in a row in Beach Report Card
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As Memorial Day weekend approaches, forecasts of plentiful sunshine may persuade many Southern Californians to strip down to their bathing suits — but researchers are warning of unsanitary waters at some local beaches.For the 10th consecutive year, the area around the Santa Monica Pier was named one of California’s dirtiest beaches by researchers with the environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay.
The annual Beach Report Card examines the amount of fecal pollution measured along the West Coast from Baja California all the way up to the state of Washington.Researchers test for fecal pollution because “even a single exposure can result in illness.” Ailments include rashes, ear and upper respiratory infections and gastrointestinal illness, according to the report.
“No one should get sick from a weekend in our waters,” Heal the Bay Chief Executive Tracy Quinn said in a prepared 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.”Of the 490 beaches that Heal the Bay monitored between 2025 and 2026, the top 10 dirtiest also included six in San Mateo County, one in San Diego County and another in Humboldt County.
The Santa Monica Pier, specially north of Pico and south of Wilshire boulevards, remains the only Los Angeles County beach to make Heal the Bay’s list despite the city’s recent infrastructure improvements.The city of Santa Monica upgraded stormwater capture systems and installed bird-deterring netting in an effort to reduce pollution, according to the report.“While many of these upgrades have aligned with temporary improvements to water quality, bacteria levels have increased,” the report states.
The current bird netting has fallen into disrepair.“These persistent problems highlight the need for sustained investment and maintenance...