Santa Cruz county is an area with a few streams and river and creeks. When they get contaminated, they create problems down stream in the ocean at the beaches. This can lead to beach closures. To find out where there are Santa Cruz beach closures to be concerned of, follow the link. If you are going to the beach be sure to take spare change for a parking meter or money for a day pass. Also be sure to take water and sun screen. Having a beach house by the water where you walk may be an eventual goal. Follow the links to one of the beach communities and see what is of interest. Give me a call if something is interesting at 831-818-7524.

Currently the Santa Cruz Main Beach by the San Lorenzo river is closed due to high bacteria counts. Most of the county beaches are open in Santa Cruz though. Follow the link for the locations of some beaches. The main beach west of the wharf, by lifeguard tower 2 is also closed.Further south in Capitola where Soquel Creek flows to the ocean and is blocked off, it also has high bacteria counts and is closed. In Rio Del Mar where Aptos Creek flows to the ocean, there are also stagnant pools and these areas are also closed.

Swimming in these locations most often is done by young kids where they can come in contact with disease-causing organisms. Oftentimes this water is settled in by birds, who leave their droppings, which can lead to seriously high levels of bacteria. Another cause of beach closures is due to septic tank and leach field system failures in the San Lorenzo Valley.

This problem is most often times a problem in the winter when there is higher water flow. So more of the problems occur during the warmer times when the creeks and rivers are flowing slowly and the contaminants build up.

Most Santa Cruz County beaches are open, be safe, have fun.