Despite frequent closures due to high bacteria levels, Coronado Beach in Southern California continues to earn accolades as one of the nation’s top beaches.
Renowned for its sparkling sands and the iconic red-roofed Hotel Del Coronado, the beach secured the fifth spot on USA Today’s list of California’s top 10 beaches for 2024. It also garnered recognition from Dr. Beach, who included it among the top 10 beaches in the United States, hailing it as “the toast of Southern California.” These rankings were unveiled in May.
According to data from San Diego County’s Beach and Bay Program, water contact closures were in effect at Coronado beaches for 169 days from June 3, 2023, to June 3, 2024. The latest closure was announced by the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality on Tuesday, citing high bacteria levels.
Such closures occur when ocean waters are impacted by sewage or chemical spills, prompting health authorities to advise against water contact activities in the affected areas.
The recurring closure of Coronado’s waters is attributed largely to the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, originating from Tijuana’s defective sewer system. NBC 7’s Joe Little delved into this issue in the news special “Toxic Tide: The sewage crisis at the border,” highlighting how polluted water flows northward, ultimately reaching Coronado Beach.
Responding to the ongoing sewage crisis, Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey and several other San Diego County mayors penned a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom, urging him to declare a state of emergency.
Despite water quality concerns, it’s important to note that beach closures do not extend to the sandy stretches along Coronado’s shoreline, allowing locals and visitors to continue enjoying the beach.
USA Today’s selection process involves nominations by a panel of experts followed by reader votes. Describing Coronado Beach as a “coastal paradise,” the publication emphasizes its array of outdoor recreation opportunities and breathtaking Pacific Ocean sunsets.
You Might Be Interested In:
