July 3, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Beach Gets Poor Ratings:

As residents prepare to flock to the coast for Memorial Day weekend, the environmental group Heal the Bay announced today that water quality improved dramatically over the past year at Los Angeles County beaches – a side benefit from the drought plaguing the state.

But despite the improvement brought on by the lack of polluted rain runoff, the county still leads the state in the number of beaches suffering from overall poor water quality, according to the group’s 24th annual Beach Report Card, which assigns letter grades to beaches across the state.

One in 10 Los Angeles County beaches received grades of C or worse for pollution during the 2013-14 summer period, which stretched from April through October of last year, according to the report. Three Los Angeles County beaches – Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey, Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro and the beach at the Santa Monica Pier – earned spots on Heal the Bay’s “Beach Bummer List” of the most polluted beaches in the state.

Heal the Bay looked into the cause of the bad grades at the Santa Monica Pier and found that netting had deteriorated, allowing birds to roost there, according to Kirsten James, science and policy director for water quality for Heal the Bay.

“Now that is patched up, we’re hopeful the grades will improve,” James said.

In contrast to the bummer list, eight Los Angeles County beaches landed on the group’s Honor Roll, which recognizes beaches that scored perfect A-plus grades for the report’s three time periods. Twelve beaches in Orange County were listed on the Honor Roll.

“We’ve seen marked improvements in California’s beach water quality this year due to the historically dry conditions,” James said. “However, the rains will return, and when they do, we need to capture this valuable resource to maximize our local water supplies and keep polluted water out of our ocean.”

To make sure to keep Southern California on track for improved water quality, Heal the Bay is working with municipalities to install storm water infiltration projects.

Heal the Bay officials noted that Avalon Beach, which has traditionally been ranked among one of the most polluted beaches in the state, dropped off of the Beach Bummer List this year, thanks to a series of efforts to improve water quality, including nearly $6 million in sewer system improvements. Poche Beach in Orange County also fell off the list.

According to Heal the Bay, 90 percent of Los Angeles County beaches received A or B grades during the April-October 2013 summer period, up from 6 percent over the previous year.

“This is good news for beachgoers in Los Angeles at most of our local beaches,” James said.

in News
<>Related Posts

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...

(Video) ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Champion Pulls Big Blue Bus for 30 feet

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

World-class strongman Martins Licis pulled a 34,680‑pound, 35-feet long, battery electric bus through the Pier to set off Pier 360...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

Santa Monica Favorite Esters Rebrands as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

New Concept Launches With French-Spanish Flair and Free Bubbles Esters Wine Shop, the fave Parisian-style wine bar in downtown Santa...

Letter to the Editor: Santa Monica’s Great Park: It’s Time to Deliver on 100 Years of Promise

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Santa Monica stands at the edge of history. For nearly a century, residents have consistently supported turning the airport land...

Why Nordstrom Says It’s Closing Its Santa Monica Place Location

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

A Nordstrom spokesperson explained the closure as a strategic realignment Nordstrom confirmed its decision to close its Santa Monica store...

Three-Bed Palisades Highlands Townhouse Hits Market for $1.7M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The Mediterranean-style property, located at 1529 Michael Lane, is part of a 71-unit community A remodeled 1,919-square-foot townhouse in the...