Los Angeles is in the midst of a summer heat wave this week, but Angelenos are being advised to steer clear of a handful of local beaches if they want to escape the heat right now. According to a release from the L.A. County’s Public Health Department, 10 beaches in the Santa Monica Bay were placed under Beach Water Quality Advisories after testing for elevated bacteria levels. The Tuesday announcement advised members of the public specifically to “avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters” as the city also navigates an Extreme Heat Warning.
“There is a high risk for dangerous heat illness for anyone, especially for the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors,” a warning to the public reads, mostly addressing residents of inland areas. Logically, however, those heat waves drive inland residents to the beach, where the Department of Public Health regularly tests water samples at popular beaches throughout the city. Some of the beaches on a recent water quality warning typically have surfers out looking for waves.
The area north and south of the lagoon at Topanga was one notable location on the list. Down in the South Bay, the storm drain near Bruce’s Beach was also deemed unsafe for swimming and surfing 100 yards in either direction.
The full list from the Department of Public Health includes:
-Temescal Canyon storm drain at Will Rogers State Beach
100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.
-East Temescal Canyon storm drain at Will Rogers State Beach
100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.
-East Montana Storm Drain at Santa Monica Beach
100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.
-Wilshire Blvd. storm drain at Santa Monica Beach
100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.
-South 28th Street storm drain at Manhattan County Beach
100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.
-Mother’s Beach in Marina Del Rey
Entire swim area.
-Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro
Entire swim area.
-Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach
100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.
-Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu
100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon.
-Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica
100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.
