Los Angeles County residents looking to escape this week’s sweltering temperatures at the beach were being warned Monday to stay out of the ocean at seven locations where elevated bacteria levels have been detected.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health advised people to avoid swimming, surfing and playing in the water at the affected locations because recent samples showed bacteria levels exceeding state health standards, potentially increasing the risk of illness.
The warnings are in effect at:
— Avalon Beach on Catalina Island, throughout the swimming area west of Green Pleasure Pier;
— East Wilshire Boulevard storm drain at Santa Monica Beach, near Santa Monica North Tower 12, 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain;
— Wilshire Boulevard storm drain at Santa Monica Beach, near Santa Monica North Tower 12, 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain;
— Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove, 100 yards up and down the coast from Paradise Cove Pier;
— Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach, throughout the entire swim area;
— Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, throughout the entire swim area; and
— Santa Monica Pier, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.
Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county’s beach hotline at 800-525-5662. A map of affected locations and additional information are available at PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach.