Wait 72 hours after a rain storm When it rains, pollutants that have been accumulating on the streets and in the catch basins get whisked through the storm drain system to the ocean dramatically increasing bacteria levels in the Bay. Heal the Bay recommends avoiding all ocean water contact during a storm and waiting at least 72 hours (3 days) after it has stopped raining before going into the ocean. This provides time for bacteria levels to return to safe levels. And remember, over 95% of the time beaches along the Santa Monica Bay are safe in dry weather.
Urban runoff flows to the Bay at Santa Monica Canyon. Photo: Heal the Bay		Avoid flowing storm drains Swim at least 100 yards away from where the storm drain flow enters the surf. You are twice as likely to get sick if you swim in front of a flowing storm drain due to increased bacteria concentrations from urban runoff. This fact was proven conclusively the 1995 groundbreaking epidemiological study that determined how exposure to ocean water bacteria is related to human illness.
A puddle of urban runoff from the Pico-Kenter storm drain. Photo: Heal the Bay		Do not play in storm drain puddles Shallow puddles of water on the sand between a storm drain and the surf may appear safe, warm and inviting for children, but this water is urban runoff, filled with bacteria that can cause illness. Although there may not always be warning signs surrounding puddles of urban runoff, this water is never safe for swimming.
		Check the Beach Report Card Weekly Beach Report Card grades are based on bacteria levels at over 460 California beaches. This will assist you in finding out what beaches are safe for you and your family to go to.
Harborside Cabrillo Beach is a typical enclosed beach. Photo: Kenneth Adelman, californiacoastline.org		Avoid enclosed beaches Many beaches named "Mother's Beach" (e.g. in Marina del Rey, Los Angeles County) or "Baby Beach" (in Dana Point, Orange County) are enclosed with poor tidal circulation. Bacteria levels are usually much higher and tend to sruvive longer in duration at enclosed beaches than those exposed to the open ocean due to the lack of water circulation. Heal the Bay's annual Beach Report Cards consistently show this to be the case. Although enclosed beaches appear safe and inviting to children, parents should research water quality conditions carefully before allowing their children to swim at these beaches. Enclosed beaches in California that are monitored by the Beach Report Card include: Sonoma County (map) •  Campbell Cove State Park Beach Ventura County (map) •  Channel Island Harbor - Hobie & Kiddie Beaches Los Angeles County - north/central (map) •  Marina del Rey - Mothers' Beach •  Cabrillo Beach - harborside Catalina Island (map) •  Avalon Beach (all beaches) Long Beach (map) •  Alamitos Bay - Shore float •  Alamitos Bay - Mothers' Beach •  Alamitos Bay - 2nd St. & Bayshore •  Colorado Lagoon - north •  Colorado Lagoon - center •  Colorado Lagoon - south Orange County - north (map) •  Huntington Harbor - all beaches •  Newport Bay - all beaches Orange County - south (map) •  Dana Point Harbor - Baby Beach •  Dana Point Harbor - Guest Dock •  Dana Point Harbor - Youth Dock San Diego County - south (map) •  La Jolla - Children's Pool •  Pacific Beach Point •  Mission Bay - all beaches •  San Diego Bay - all beaches