California beaches ranked in annual Heal the Bay Report Card

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- How does your favorite beach rate? Heal the Bay released its annual Beach Report Card on Wednesday, ranking hundreds of beach locations in California.

The organization said California's beaches are doing better overall, but there's bad news for Los Angeles County. There are three consistent trouble spots - including the Santa Monica Pier.

"Santa Monica Pier has also experienced persistent water quality problems. The city of Santa Monica has proactively tried to address these issues through the installation of bird netting, pollution reduction measures and checking the various pipes from the commercial facilities on the pier. However, beach water quality here continues to suffer," said Sarah Sikich, vice president of Heal the Bay.

The problem is runoff, and Santa Monica has a history of problems.

The worst three Los Angeles County beaches are all repeat offenders: Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey, Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro and Santa Monica Pier.

The silver lining - the state's ongoing drought has reduced the runoff problem as well as the pollution problem.

To get the entire report, visit www.healthebay.org/beach-report-card.