Beach attendance and bathing rates for Southern California beaches

Abstract

Annual beach attendance (BA) was collected for 75 beaches along the 350 km of coastline in Southern California for the years 2000–2004. On average, over 129 million beach visits occur each year, with the majority (54%) of visits occurring at only 15 beaches. Almost half of all visits (48%) occur on weekends. BA displays distinct seasonality with 53% of visits occurring in June, July and August. On average only 45% of individuals attending the beach have physical contact with the coastal waters; water exposure rates are low (26%) during colder winter months, and peak during warmer summer months (54%). An average of 56 million recreational bathing events (BE) occurs in Southern California's coastal waters every year. This quantification and statistical analysis of the magnitude and distribution of beach visitations across the region produce important data that have direct implications for beach management, tourism, public health and the environment.