{"id":39517,"date":"2026-08-11T23:17:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T18:17:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=39517"},"modified":"2026-08-11T23:17:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T18:17:07","slug":"most-dangerous-southern-california-beaches-revealed-for-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=39517","title":{"rendered":"Most dangerous Southern California beaches revealed for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2026%2F08%2F137003101.jpg?quality%3D90%26strip%3Dall\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>A cocktail of treacherous swells, hurricane surf, and unpredictable sneaker waves battered the Southern California coastline last month, triggering thousands of unprecedented rescues.<\/p>\n<p>From the <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/30\/us-news\/alarming-symptom-10-year-old-boy-told-his-dad-after-california-lifeguards-heroic-rescue\/\">viral Santa Cruz rescue<\/a> where 16-year-old Ryder Williams saved the life of 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai who was close to drowning in powerful waves, to Los Angeles lifeguards <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/08\/01\/us-news\/la-lifeguards-rescue-nearly-2000-swimmers-as-swells-hit-beaches\/\">assisting almost 2000 swimmers<\/a> in one weekend, these rescues were a brutal reminder of the ocean\u2019s unforgiving power.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The California Post has analysed rescue numbers, reports of dangerous incidents and <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/28\/us-news\/hurricane-genevieve-roars-in-the-pacific-as-fausto-weakens-to-a-tropical-storm-near-hawaii\/\">weather conditions <\/a>over the July period to determine which counties have the most dangerous beaches.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Santa Barbara County lifeguards performed 10 water rescues in the month of July. <span class=\"credit\">Visions of America\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>7. <strong>Santa Barbara County lifeguards (Santa Barbara County)<\/strong><\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>Santa Barbara County lifeguards performed 10 water rescues in the month of July between the three county beaches: Goleta Beach, Arroyo Burro Beach and Jalama Beach. <\/p>\n<p>These are some of the least dangerous beaches on the Southern coast. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>During the July heatwave, San Diego lifeguards performed 107 water rescues at Windansea beach in one day. <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>6. <strong>San Diego lifeguards (San Diego County):\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>During the July heatwave, a team of five lifeguards performed 107 water rescues at Windansea beach in one day.<\/p>\n<p>Several more cliff rescues were also executed as daredevil swimmers dismissed cliff jumping rules and were injured in the process.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Solid south swell, warm water, and a heat advisory brought dangerous conditions to San Diego beaches. <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>5. <strong>Oceanside lifeguards (San Diego County):<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Solid south swell, warm water, and a heat advisory brought dangerous conditions to San Diego beaches patrolled by Oceanside lifeguards in the last weekend of July.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>On one Sunday alone, Newport Beach lifeguards conducted 100 rescues.\u00a0 <span class=\"credit\">Pedro Colo for CA Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>4. <strong>Newport Beach lifeguards (Orange County):\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A \u201cdog-leg\u201d rip current along one of the jetties in Newport Beach could have ended tragically on Independence Day if it wasn\u2019t for the efforts of Newport Beach lifeguards.<\/p>\n<p>The team performed a multi-victim rescue of at least a dozen people.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, on one Sunday alone, lifeguards conducted 100 rescues.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"single__inline-module inline-module inline-module--newsletter aligncenter inline-module--nypostbusinessunit aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-newsletter\" data-source-unit=\"Inline Newsletter Module Cali - Morning Report\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__inner\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__title-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__unsubmitted-title-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"inline-module__cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia&#8217;s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>The majority of rescues across the counties were rip extractions.  <span class=\"credit\">Los Angeles Times via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>3. <strong>San Clemente State Beach Lifeguards (Orange County):\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Approximately 96 per cent of ocean rescues involved rip current extractions as wild swells and strong currents caught swimmers off-guard.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The San Clemente State Beach lifeguards also averted almost 8000 incidents thanks to the preventative actions they took to guide beachgoers toward safe swimming zones.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>152 rescues were required in a single day as well as four boat rescues and 14 missing person calls in the City of Huntington. <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>2. <strong>City of Huntington lifeguards (Orange County):\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Over at the City of Huntington, tower staffing was doubled in high-density areas, additional rescue boats and jetskis were deployed and a dedicated offshore rescue swimmer who could be deployed from a police helicopter for incidents beyond the surf zone was assigned to meet operational demand.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But even with these efforts, 152 rescues were required in a single day as well as four boat rescues and 14 missing person calls.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Los Angeles County lifeguards saw an \u201calmost historic number\u201d of rescues in one weekend.  <span class=\"credit\">Jonathan Alcorn for CA Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>1. <strong>Los Angeles County lifeguards\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An \u201calmost historic number\u201d of rescues in one weekend and relentless sneaker waves, has put Los Angeles County on the top of the list for most dangerous beaches.<\/p>\n<p>The Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard division easily performed more than 2600 ocean rescues in July alone, in what lifeguards described as \u201cnuts\u201d and the \u201clargest number (they) can remember\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Between July 24 and 26, LA County lifeguards performed 1950 rescues across the region\u2019s 72 miles of beaches, while another 700 were carried out in the weekend after.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The eventful month has brought the County\u2019s tally of ocean rescues for the year to at leat 9000.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Beach-goers should check in with lifeguards to learn more about ocean conditions and swim in front of a tower to stay safe.  <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Advice for staying safe for the remainder of the summer\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>San Diego Fire-Rescue and Lifeguards Public Information Officer Candace Hadley urged those heading to the beach to check in with lifeguards to learn more about ocean conditions and to swim in front of a tower.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs locals and visitors continue to enjoy our city\u2019s beaches this summer \u2013 and throughout the year \u2013 we are sharing a few tips to help them stay safe and prevent an emergency,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCheck in with Lifeguards to learn more about conditions and swim in front of a lifeguard tower. Use the buddy system \u2013 never swim alone, (and) supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Other tips included how to get out of a rip and advice on sneaker waves.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf caught in a rip current, remain calm, float on your back and move with the current or swim parallel to shore and signal for help,\u201d Ms Hadley said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDo not underestimate the water: Never turn your back to the ocean \u2013 waves can come without warning and sweep beachgoers into the surf or knock them off coastal bluffs or tide pool areas.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>California Post News<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCaliforniaPost\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/californiapost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@CaliforniaPost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TikTok<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/californiapost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">X<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@thecaliforniapost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029Vb6a2IV1NCrL6q2AWq0E\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WhatsApp<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/company\/californiapost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a><br \/><strong>California Post Sports<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/capostsports\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/capostsports\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@capostsports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TikTok<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@CaliforniaPostSports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/capostsports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">X<\/a><br \/><strong>California Post  <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/californiapost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Opinion<\/a> <br \/><strong>California Post Newsletters<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/email.nypost.com\/#california-post\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sign up here!<\/a><br \/><strong>California Post App<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/california-post\/id6751343487\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download here!<\/a><br \/><strong>Home delivery<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/subscribe.californiapost.com\/defaultCAP\">Sign up here!<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/california-post\/id6751343487\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/><\/a><strong>Page Six Hollywood<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/hollywood-signup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A cocktail of treacherous swells, hurricane surf, and unpredictable sneaker waves battered the Southern California coastline last month, triggering thousands of unprecedented rescues. From the viral Santa Cruz rescue where 16-year-old Ryder Williams saved the life of 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai who was close to drowning in powerful waves, to Los Angeles lifeguards assisting almost 2000&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39518,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/137003101.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39517","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39517","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=39517"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39517\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/39518"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39517"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=39517"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=39517"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}