Study Finds Santa Barbara County Has One of The Cleanest Beaches in California

A beach in Santa Barbara County has been recognized as one of the cleanest beaches in California in a recent study.

Guadalupe Dunes has earned a spot on Heal the Bay’s Honor Roll in its latest annual Beach Report Card.

Part of the Rancho Guadalupe Dunes, the beach is located along the Central Coast and spans 18 miles of coastal dunes. The refuge beach closes every year, from early March through late September, to protect federally threatened western snowy plover habitat.

Heal the Bay’s Honor Roll identifies beaches that have received an A+ grade during summer dry, winter dry, and wet weather conditions while being monitored throughout the year, according to Heal the Bay.

These beaches consistently maintained excellent water quality despite ongoing challenges throughout the state.

This year, only 21 beaches secured a position on the Honor Roll, a sharp decline from last year’s 62 beaches, according to Heal the Bay. This reflects the deteriorating water quality in the state’s beaches.

Southern California beaches dominated this year’s Honor Roll, especially those in Orange and San Diego counties.

The top five California beaches mentioned in the Honor Roll include:

• Bluff Cove, Palos Verdes Estates, in Los Angeles County
• Capistrano County Beach, South Capistrano Bay in Orange County
• Dana Point Harbor, guest dock in Orange County
• Huntington City Beach at Beach Boulevard in Orange County
• Huntington Harbour, Coral Cay Beach in Orange County

In addition to the cleanest beaches, Heal the Bay also recognized several freshwater recreation areas that reported consistently excellent water quality and bacteria levels that were much below public health thresholds.

Most of these freshwater sites are located in upper watershed areas, surrounded by natural landscapes and lower levels of urban development, according to Heal the Bay.

The top five cleanest rivers in the Honor Roll include:

• Malibu Creek at Rock Pool, Malibu Creek Watershed
• San Gabriel River East Fork at Cattle Canyon, Upper San Gabriel River Watershed
• San Gabriel River East Fork at Graveyard Canyon, Upper San Gabriel River Watershed
• San Gabriel River Cattle Canyon, Upper San Gabriel River Watershed
• San Gabriel River East Fork, Upper San Gabriel River Watershed

The water quality across California was strong in 2025, according to the environmental nonprofit.

However, wet conditions and urban runoff resulted in slightly poorer conditions.

Around 91% of California’s beaches earned A or B grades during the summer dry weather, while wet-weather grades declined across the state during storms.

Dirtiest Beaches

Heal the Bay also highlighted California beaches with the poorest water quality in its annual Beach Bummer list. These beaches secured the lowest summer dry grades.

Rankings identified the beaches that were impacted by storm drains, enclosed circulation patterns, and chronic issues with wastewater discharges and urban runoff.

The top five dirtiest beaches in California were:

• Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles County
• Erckenbrack Park, San Mateo County
• Linda Mar Beach at San Pedro Creek, San Mateo County
• Parkside Aquatic Park, San Mateo County
• Pillar Point Harbor, Capistrano Road Beach, San Mateo County

The worst beach near California, in terms of water quality, was Playa Blanca and the Tijuana Slough at the Tijuana River Mouth near Tijuana in Mexico. The water here is heavily contaminated by the wastewater pollution originating from Baja California, according to Heal the Bay.

How the Report Was Compiled

Heal the Bay analyzed water quality from over 700 beaches along the Pacific Coast and 35 freshwater sites in Los Angeles as part of the report.

Each location was allotted an annual grade, ranging from A to F, based on the fecal indicator bacteria found in the water during each testing season.

Freshwater sites, however, have a different monitoring system. Heal the Bay’s scientists collaborate with the Stream Team, other local groups, and municipalities to collect and test samples throughout the summer.nb