California is known for its sun, sand... and apparently sewage.
The Golden State's beaches have been ranked from cleanest to dirtiest in new analysis conducted through 2025 by nonprofit group Heal the Bay.
Researchers tested water from 523 sunspots along California's 900-mile coast to create a comprehensive list of 'Beach Report Cards' for the water quality of each.
The study gives A-F grades based on sewage levels, indicated by the concentration of three bacterium: total coliform, fecal coliform (E. coli) and Enterococcus.
'High concentrations of these bacteria indicate the presence of pathogens that could be harmful to beachgoers,' researchers said.
Consuming the bacteria can cause serious gastrointestinal issues, including stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, and headaches.
Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles was exposed as the dirtiest beach in California with an F grade for tidal hygiene, placing it at the top of the 'Beach Bummer' list.
The iconic tourist trap frequently ranks among the most disgusting beaches, as food stalls attract swarms of seagulls which relieve themselves in the tides nearby.
'Despite upgrades like stormwater capture systems and bird deterrent netting, pollution remains a problem, worsened by urban runoff and high levels of activities at the pier,' the report reads.
Researchers said the disposal of fish guts from recreational fishing activities also attracts more seagulls and makes the water even grislier.
Santa Monica Pier was only outdone by Playa Blanca in Baja California, which sits just over the border in Mexico for the dirtiest beach on the list.
Playa Blanca has ranked top of the list for three years over the past decade due to high levels of pollution.
'The beach continues to be impacted by sewage-contaminated runoff from the Tijuana region, where wastewater infrastructure remains inadequate,' the report reads.
Researchers also pinpointed the nearby Punta Bandera treatment plant as a major pollutant, as it releases millions of gallons of partially-treated sewage into the ocean.
For the same reason, Tijuana Slough at Tijuana River Mouth in San Diego County, California, ranks as third on the list.
Located by Imperial Beach, the waterway meets the Pacific Ocean just north of the US-Mexico border, and it has been plagued by pollution in recent years.
The area's stink started after Mexico's government announced it was forced to dump around five million gallons a day of sewage into the river.
Chicken Ranch Beach at Channel made its debut appearance on the dirtiest beach list this year, due to 'consistently high bacteria levels' during all seasons, including wet and dry weather.
Runoff from nearby drainage systems has been contaminating the water along Tomales Bay, researchers have warned.
The other top 10 dirtiest beaches were all located in either San Mateo County or San Diego County, due to urban sewage running into the coastal waterways.
They include the San Mateo County spots of Linda Mar Beach at San Pedro Creek, Erckenbrack Park in Foster City, and Pillar Point at Harbor Beach.
San Diego County beaches Tijuana Slough, Border Field State Park, and Imperial Beach were all also exposed in the state's top 10 filthiest coastal spots.
On the flip side, 62 of the 523 beaches made it to the 'Honor Roll' of sites which received an 'A+' grade, and seven counties earned top water quality marks.
On the flip side, 62 of the 523 beaches made it to the 'Honor Roll' of sites which received an 'A+' grade, and seven counties earned top water quality marks.
Orange County topped the Honor Roll list with 34 beaches making the cut, followed by San Diego County which had 12 beaches on the cleanest list - despite it also featuring several times on the 'Beach Bummers' list for its dirtier sites.
Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Guadalupe Dunes, San Mateo County and San Francisco County also earned top water quality marks.
'The increase in beaches on the Honor Roll this year is likely attribute to less overall rainfall during the 2024-225 winter season, leading to substantially improved overall coastal water quality,' the report reads.
Orange County's Laguna Beach is among the Honor Roll rankings, along with Half Moon Bay in San Diego and Silverstrand in Ventura.
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