Santa Monica Pier Ranks Among California’s Most Polluted Beaches in 2024 Report

The Santa Monica Pier beach has been named one of California's most polluted beaches for the fourth consecutive year, ranking as the second or most polluted beach in various reports by Heal the Bay based on 2024 water quality data. Despite ongoing efforts by the City of Santa Monica, including stormwater diversion, bird-deterrent netting, and sand replacement, the pier area continues to suffer from high levels of fecal-indicator bacteria, particularly during the dry summer season, posing health risks to visitors. Heal the Bay's CEO, Tracy Quinn, emphasized the need for increased water-quality monitoring, bacteria source identification, and a dedicated task force to address this persistent pollution issue. While the pier area fails in water quality, the majority of Santa Monica’s coastline, including nearby beaches at Wilshire and Pico boulevards, received high grades, with 62 California beaches making the Honor Roll this year, a significant improvement attributed mainly to lower rainfall reducing urban runoff. The reports highlight that pollutant levels are based on bacteria measures and do not account for other contaminants such as those from recent wildfires. Heal the Bay calls on local authorities to prioritize remediation efforts to restore public confidence in the iconic beach, especially with upcoming major events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.