Santa Monica Pier ranks among California's most polluted beaches for 10th year

Santa Monica Pier has ranked second on California's annual list of most polluted beaches for the 10th consecutive year, according to Heal the Bay's 2025-26 Beach Report Card released Tuesday ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

The report, which grades beaches statewide from A+ to F based on bacterial contamination, shows that while most California shores pass muster during dry weather, chronic pollution at coastal hotspots and along the Los Angeles River watershed — which drains toward Orange County communities — continues to pose public health risks for millions of Southern California residents.

Heal the Bay monitors water quality at beaches and river sites across the state each year, assigning letter grades based on bacterial contamination levels. Playa Blanca, located near Tijuana, claimed the top spot on the organization's "Beach Bummer" list as California's single most polluted beach, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

During summer dry-weather conditions, 91% of California beaches received A or B grades — a broadly positive picture. But the wet-weather numbers tell a different story: the share of beaches earning A or B grades in rainy conditions fell from 67% to 61%, a slide the report attributes to stormwater runoff and aging drainage infrastructure washing pollutants into coastal waters.

The Honor Roll — awarded only to beaches that maintain A+ grades all year — shrank sharply, from 62 qualifying sites the prior year to just 21 statewide, reflecting the heightened impact of rainfall during this monitoring cycle.

Inland waterways fared worst. The Los Angeles River below Rio Hondo Confluence and near Hollydale Park received the report's lowest river grades, a finding that carries downstream implications for communities across the greater Los Angeles and Orange County region.

"No one should get sick from a weekend in our waters," said Tracy Quinn, CEO of Heal the Bay, in a statement accompanying the report. "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."

Health officials advise avoiding the ocean for 72 hours after any rainfall, as runoff can spike bacterial counts even at beaches that typically earn top grades. With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start of beach season, Heal the Bay's report serves as a timely checklist for Southern Californians before they head to the shore.