Avoid the waters of these 5 L.A. County beaches this holiday weekend, public health officials say

Alex Wigglesworth
·1 min read
1
Marina del Ray, CA - May 25: A man relaxes near a sign warning people to avoid the water due to high bacteria levels at Mother's Beach on Saturday, May 25, 2024 in Marina del Ray, CA. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times)
Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey is among the five sites where beachgoers are urged to avoid bacteria-laden waters this holiday weekend. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles County public health authorities are warning residents to avoid the waters of some beaches this Memorial Day weekend after testing turned up bacterial levels that exceed state standards.

People should avoid swimming, surfing and playing in these waters until further notice, the county public health department said in a warning issued Thursday.

Two people paddling solo near a buoy, a large boat and the shoreline not far behind them
Some took to the water at Mother's Beach on Saturday despite the bacteria warnings. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times)

The beaches are: Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the creek; Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms; Santa Monica Pier, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier; and the entire swim areas at Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey and Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro.

The public health department also lifted previous warnings for the Temescal Canyon storm drain at Will Rogers State Beach and the Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica State Beach after sample results found the water quality levels to be within state standards.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.