Is it possible to swim in LA?

In addition to the Pacific Ocean, there are three rivers that pass through the Los Angeles county: the Santa Clara River, the Los Angeles River, and the San Gabriel River. With over 120 kilometers (75 miles) of coastline and over 100 beaches, Los Angeles is the perfect place to get your toes wet.



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The water temperature in the ocean in Los Angeles varies throughout the year, but generally, it is warm enough to swim from late spring to early fall. The warmest months are typically July, August, and September, when ocean temperatures can reach into the low 70s Fahrenheit (low 20s Celsius).

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But on that same beach, it's not uncommon to see kids shivering as they run out of the water, or a surfer wearing a partial wetsuit as they jog out for a session. California's ocean water is pretty cold, even in the summer, and it often catches visitors off-guard.

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Yes, you can definitely swim at Santa Monica Beach as well as enjoy other water activities like surfing or paddle boarding. Even with 280 days of Santa Monica sunshine, the Pacific Ocean tends to be a little cold, so you may want to consider swimming during warmer months.

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In fact, 95 percent of Santa Monica Beach consistently receives an “A” grade or above for water quality on average. The best beach and water quality is 100 yards to the left and right of the Santa Monica Pier, thanks to the City of Santa Monica's significant investments in pollution reduction.

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These were the dirtiest beaches in California in 2022:
  • Santa Monica Pier (Los Angeles County)
  • Linda Mar Beach (San Mateo County)
  • Marlin Park (San Mateo County)
  • Erckenbrack Park (San Mateo County)
  • Tijuana River Mouth (San Diego County)
  • Pillar Point Harbor at Capistrano Avenue (San Mateo County)


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