LOS ANGELES — As Southern California residents and tourists head to the beaches this holiday weekend, a growing health hazard lurks in the water: bacteria. This concerning reality has disappointed many beachgoers.

Several areas across Los Angeles County are now under an "ocean water use warning" due to excessive bacterial levels.

Affected areas include Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach, Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach, the Santa Monica Pier, Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey and Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro.

Spectrum News spoke with a frustrated Canadian family visiting Santa Monica, an area plagued with persistent contamination issues.