Which of California's beaches are the worst? Come get surprised!
The New York Times published a story this morning titled California Today: Surf, Sun and Bacteria which mostly seems like a rude and unnecessary east coast stone throw especially since there was no real new information inside.
Nearly half of California beaches earned grades of C to F during the wet weather, 12 percent more than the five-year average.
Sarah Sikich, Heal the Bay’s chief scientist, said solutions lie in programs known to mitigate runoff pollution such as increased urban green cover and projects to capture, clean and reuse storm water.
“It’s indicative of a water mismanagement issue in California,” she said. “If we were doing a better job of rethinking that runoff we could turn it from a nuisance into a resource.”
Blah blah blah. Am I right?
The fun part, though, comes when it is revealed which of California’s beaches are the worst according to Heal the Bay‘s annual report card. And guess which beaches were bad bad. Like the worst bad. Can you?
Wrong!
The worst worst is in Humboldt County!
Humboldt County’s Clam Beach, which is fed by two creeks, was named California’s most polluted beach by Heal the Bay.
The problem there has vexed local environmentalists who cite a panoply of possible causes: bird poop, campground toilets, old septic systems, livestock and more.
“There’s no shortage of theories,” said Jennifer Kalt, the director of Humboldt Baykeeper, an environmental group.
Bird poop, campground toilets, old septic systems, livestock and more! That’ll keep the crowds down, I bet. Which other beaches are in the bottom 10? Ladies and gentlemen without further ado I give you…
10) Salt Creek!
9) Mother’s in Marina del Rey!
8) Luffenholtz Beach in Humboldt!
7) Capitola!
6) Santa Monica pier!
5) La Jolla Cove!
4) Lakeshore park in San Mateo!
3) Cowell Beach!
2) San Clemente pier!
With Clam Beach, as previously noted, taking the top slot. I will say, it surprised me how many northern California beaches were shitty. Does that surprise you too?
Viva the San Clemente pier!
