LOS ANGELES — Citing high bacteria levels, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is warning visitors Tuesday to avoid swimming, surfing and playing in ocean waters at a dozen area beaches.

The department's warning covers 12 beaches:

  • Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach (entire swim area)
  • Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove (entire swim area)
  • Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach (entire swim area)
  • Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach (100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps)
  • Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach (entire swim area)
  • Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove (100 yards up and down the coast from the Paradise Cove Pier)
  • Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro (entire swim area)
  • Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach (entire swim area)
  • Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu (100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon)
  • Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach (100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms)
  • Santa Monica Pier (100 yards up and down the coast from the pier)
  • Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey (entire swim area)

The department said those 12 locations were found to have bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.

Meanwhile, a warning was lifted for Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain at Carbon Canyon Beach.

Information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county's beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662. A map of impacted locations and more information is available here.