Officials Warn Against Swimming At These South Bay Beaches

REDONDO BEACH, CA — Los Angeles County officials are warning people to avoid swimming at these two South Bay beaches for the next few days.

High bacteria levels at several beaches along the Los Angeles County coastline have prompted an advisory from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Monday, warning people to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters.

SEE ALSO: These South Bay Beaches Received An A+ From Heal The Bay

The following areas should be avoided in the South Bay:

• Redondo Beach — 100 yards up and down the coast from the Redondo Beach Pier
• Cabrillo Beach — The entire inner San Pedro beach area

Here are other LA County beaches the Department of Public Health has told people to avoid:

• Topanga Canyon Beach (Malibu) — 100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon.
• Ramirez Creek (Paradise Cove) — 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier
• Santa Monica — 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier
• Castlerock Storm Drain (Topanga County Beach) — 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain
• Mothers Beach (Marina Del Rey) — Entire swim area
• Bel Air Bay Club (Will Rogers State Beach) — 100 yards up and down the coast of the club border fence

County officials did not say what prompted the high levels of bacteria.

However, Marissa Wu, the senior director at the Roundhouse Aquarium in Manhattan Beach, previously told Patch that bacteria can build up in ocean waters when it hasn't rained in a while.

"Typically, within three days, it's okay to go back in," Wu said. Still, Wu recommends that anyone planning to visit the beach check whether any advisories are still in place, consult with their local lifeguards to ensure it's safe to swim, or look up the beach's grade on the Heal the Bay report card.