10 Most (and Least) Polluted Beaches in California

Starting with the worst, the “Beach Bummers,” here’s the top 10 most polluted beaches:

• Playa Blanca (Baja California, Mexico)
• Santa Monica Pier (Los Angeles County)
• Tijuana Slough at Tijuana River Mouth (San Diego County)
• Chicken Ranch Beach at Channel (Marin County)
• Linda Mar Beach at San Pedro Creek (San Mateo County)
• Erckenbrack Park, Foster City (San Mateo County)
• Tijuana Slough, North of Tijuana River (San Diego County)
• Border Field State Park at Monument Road (San Diego County)
• Imperial Beach at Seacoast Drive (San Diego County)
• Pillar Point Harbor Beach (San Mateo County)

Looking at the list of worst beaches, a few zones can be identified: San Diego County (and just across the border), norther California (near San Francisco), and one outlier in Los Angeles County.

As for the “Honor Roll” – or the best beaches in terms of water quality – in California, a handful of counties topped the list with multiple beaches earning an A+. Those include:

• Orange County (34 beaches)
• San Diego County (12)
• Los Angeles County (7)
• Ventura County (5)
• San Mateo County (2)
• Santa Barbara County (1)
• San Francisco County (1)

Speaking to the Honor Roll, Heal the Bay noted:

“This year, 62 out of over 500 monitored beaches in California earned a spot on the Honor Roll, a significant improvement from just 12 beaches last year and only two in 2022–2023. This return to a higher Honor Roll count reflects levels more consistent with the reporting five years ago. The increase in beaches on the Honor Roll this year is likely attributed to less overall rainfall during the 2024–2025 winter season, leading to substantially improved overall coastal water quality.”

Read the full report here.