La Jolla Beaches Earn 'A' Grades In Heal The Bay's Annual Report Card

LA JOLLA, CA — Thanks to recent heavy rainfall and millions of gallons of sewage spilled into the ocean, beach pollution grades slipped across Southern California this year, according to Heal the Bay's 33rd annual Beach Report Card.

The nonprofit assigned letter grades to beaches across California based on levels of fecal-indicator bacterial pollution that are reported by local health agencies.

This year, the group's "Honor Roll" — reserved for beaches with immaculate water quality all year — dropped from 51 sites in 2022 to just two beaches. Only one Southern California beach —the beach near Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego County — made the list with perfect water quality year-round. The other honoree was Bean Hollow State Beach in San Mateo County, according to the report.

Here's how Heal the Bay graded La Jolla beaches:

One San Diego area beach made Heal the Bay's "Beach Bummer" list, which covers the state's 10 most polluted beaches. The beach near Tijuana River Mouth ranked as the 6th-most polluted beach, according to Heal the Bay. The beach is affected by sewage-contaminated runoff from the Tijuana area.

Pollution tends to be highest following rainstorms, reflected by the "wet" grades, while dry-weather test results were generally "very good" across the state, according to Heal the Bay.

Heal the Bay said people who come in contact with water with a C grade or lower are at a greater risk of contracting illnesses such as stomach flu, ear infections, upper respiratory infections and rashes.

Los Angeles County is home to the state's most polluted beach, according to the rankings. Santa Monica Pier shares that first-place dishonor with Playa Blanca in Baja California.

Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey also made the list of top 10 most polluted beaches, which Heal the Bay said is due to its poor water circulation.

"As climate change continues to bring weather whiplash, our water woes will swing from scarcity to pollution. This year, record precipitation produced major impacts on water quality across Coastal California," said Heal the Bay CEO Tracy Quinn. "Now more than ever, we must prioritize multi-benefit projects to manage stormwater as both a water quality and supply solution, all while ensuring that the public is kept informed of risks to public health."

View an interactive map of beach grades here.