Millions of people visit Santa Monica beaches each year, but if you swim near the pier area, be warned that the water is the most polluted in the state, according to Heal the Bay’s research.

An annual report released by the environmental advocacy group on Thursday, May 22, gives beaches grades for water quality, specifically for bacteria levels that can sicken beachgoers. Santa Monica Pier was the worst offender, a popular place that for years has struggled and again landed on Heal the Bay’s “Beach Bummer” list.

“We can’t stand here on this beach that will be crowded with happy families this holiday weekend and not acknowledge our deep concern with the lack of progress in improving the water quality here,” Tracy Quinn, who serves as president and CEO of Heal the Bay, said during a press conference with the famed pier in the backdrop. “This is the fourth year in a row that Santa Monica Pier has made our Beach Bummer list — this year as California’s most polluted beach. This iconic location, visited by millions each year, continues to struggle with high levels of bacterial pollution.”

But several other beaches across Southern California earned high marks for stellar water quality, earning “Honor Roll” status on the annual Heal the Bay Beach Report Card.

Heal the Bay monitors 500 beaches along the California coastline, with 62 of them earning a spot on the group’s honor roll. That’s a significant improvement from just 12 beaches last year and only two during the 2022-23 season, when a heavy rainy season washed more pollution to the shore.

In Orange County, 34 beaches landed on the honor roll and many throughout Los Angeles and San Diego earned similar A+ marks, except for Santa Monica Pier and, in south San Diego County, four beaches polluted by sewage flowing down the Tijuana River.

The higher honor roll counts are similar to what was reported five years ago – likely attributable to less overall rainfall leading to substantially improved overall coastal water quality.

The report card, which has been released for the past 35 years, covers the period from April 2024 through March 2025.

Orange County’s 34 beaches landing on the honor roll is a jump from 10 last year. San Diego County’s 12 beaches this year are up from just two in the previous testing period.

Los Angeles County had seven beaches on this year’s honor roll, including Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, a big improvement from last year, when there were no beaches that made the cut. Most of the top-performing beaches are located along the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Malibu.

The dry summer and winter is likely the reason for the noticeable improvement in coastal water quality, with 9% less rainfall this recent season compared to the historical 10-year average. Less rain means fewer pollutants, such as bacteria, trash and chemicals, were washed from streets into storm drains and eventually into the ocean.

In contrast, from October 2022 to March 2023, there were 19 atmospheric river events, more than triple the typical number. And the Heal the Bay report card recorded the fewest honor roll beaches ever, its authors noted. “These heavy storms overwhelmed stormwater and sewage systems, pushing large volumes of pollutants into the ocean and leading to a sharp drop in wet weather grades during that grading period.”

This winter season’s first big rain didn’t happen until late January in Los Angeles and only a few storms followed, limiting pollution events throughout the year. And that means less contact for beachgoers with bacteria-laden ocean water that can cause serious and chronic illnesses.

Water samples are tested for three key fecal indicator bacteria: total coliform, fecal coliform (E. coli), and Enterococcus species.

“High concentrations of these bacteria indicate the presence of pathogens that could be harmful to beachgoers,” Heal the Bay officials said.

To earn a spot on the honor roll, a beach must be monitored weekly throughout the year and receive an A+ grade in all conditions — Summer Dry, Winter Dry, and Wet Weather.

Santa Monica Pier landed second on the “Beach Bummer” list due to ongoing persistent water quality issues, despite upgrades like stormwater capture systems and bird deterrent netting. While Heal the Bay acknowledges efforts made by the city and Los Angeles County, more needs to be done, the group encourages.

“We are calling for a more targeted approach – increased water-quality monitoring, bacteria source identification, and a dedicated task force to chart a path forward,” Quinn said.

Cleaning up the waters near the Santa Monica Pier needs to happen soon, with the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics nearing and likely to bring even more visitors to the region, she noted.

San Diego County beaches landing on the dreaded “Beach Bummer” list include Tijuana Slough at Tijuana River Mouth, Border Field State Park and Imperial Beach in San Diego County. They have been regulars on the list due to ongoing sewage contamination in the Tijuana River.

Another beach just on the other side of the border, Playa Blanca in Mexico, is also on the list due to the contamination.

Efforts to address the issue are underway, including U.S. EPA-funded upgrades to the Punta Bandera treatment plant and improvements to Tijuana’s wastewater systems, according to the report, including a $250 million in federal funding to fully repair and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant.