Glowing tans, swimming, diving and just having a good time are what most people anticipate when they go to the beach. But before slipping into bathing suits, precautions about beach ratings should be taken into consideration.

California is one of the most popular states for the many beaches along its western coast.

Walking down Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach is one of a few things Dominique Mangahas, 19, undeclared, does to get away from her daily routines.

Relaxing in Hermosa

“Hermosa is peaceful and clean. I like the atmosphere; you just go there and relax, unlike Venice Beach,” Mangahas said.

Mangahas said that Venice Beach is interesting but if people want to relax, Venice isn’t the place she would recommend.

Among the many beaches, Manhattan Beach may also be a beach to hang out this summer.

Kolo Kapanui, 20, undeclared major, said that Manhattan Beach has good waves.

“The beach is semiclean,” Kapanui said. “There are a lot of people who surf and body board.”

Venice invites basketball lovers

Kapanui said that Manhattan is a good place to surf, but Venice Beach is the place to go if people want to go shopping.

“Venice is a good place to chill and to play basketball, but not to swim,” Kapanui said.

Leon Lavitalo, 20, agrees with Kapanui and said that besides the good waves, Manhattan Beach also provides visitors with an aquarium.

At Venice Beach however, Lavitalo said that he has never been in the water because he says the water discharges an unpleasant smell.

Lavitalo also said that the atmosphere in Venice is different from the atmosphere in Manhattan Beach.

“The atmosphere is more friendly in Venice Beach,” Lavitalo said.

Lavitalo also compares Hermosa Beach to Venice Beach and Manhattan Beach.

“In Hermosa there are no waves whatsoever,” Lavitalo said. “It’s a place to relax; sometimes they play music.”

Though both Venice Beach and Hermosa Beach have a lot of vendors, Lavitalo said that the goods that people sell in Hermosa are expensive.

“Hermosa is a party place,” Lavitalo said. “In Manhattan Beach, many people are working out and in Venice Beach the people are in their own little world.”

Taking beach precautions

There are many beaches to go to, but not many people know the grades the beaches earn or the dangers that go hand-in-hand with them.

The Heal the Bay Foundation takes part in grading beaches from Sonoma to San Diego County, specifically targeting popular beaches.

Understanding beach report cards

The report grades local beaches on an A to F scale, based on daily and weekly quality monitored data collected by various county and city public agencies.

By assesing fecal bacteria levels and making this information available to the public, the beach report card is designed to protect the public health of the more than 100 million people who visit California’s beaches.

The Heal the Bay Foundation said that a poor grade means that beachgoers face a higher risk of contracting illnesses, such as stomach flu, ear infections and skin rashes than swimmers at cleaner beaches.

Hermosa Beach lifeguard Joel Gitelson said that the first thing people should prepare for before going to the beach is to know how to swim and to swim near the open staffed lifeguard tower.

“If the shutters on the tower are open, this means a lifeguard is on duty,” Gitelson said. “The American flag is up on the tower and a red rescue can hanging from the tower.”

Oceanography professor Joe Holliday said that the government rates the beaches based on the amount of bacteria they collect.

“The bacteria doesn’t hurt your skin,” Holliday said, “however, they do give you an upset stomach.”

Holiday said that the government should post signs warning about the bacteria because people bring their children to the beach.

One of the beaches that contains the most bacteria is Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, Holliday said.

“One of the reasons is the drainage channels by the beach,” Holliday said. “The danger is that if you’re caught by one, you can drift out into the sea.”

Even though people might know that staying out in the sun for long periods of time may cause skin cancer, not many people wear sunscreen, Holliday said.

Protecting against sun rays

One thing Holliday advises to everyone who goes to the beach is to wear sunscreen.

“It blocks out ultraviolet light,” Holliday said, “applying it twice is better.”

Holliday said that California has the second highest rate for people with skin cancer.

Anglo-Saxon people with light skin that are living in a summer environment should take more extreme precautions, Holliday said.

Holliday also advises that SPF 30 or above should be used for lighter skin tones and a lower SPF should be used for darker skin tones.

Sunscreen is also needed on the lips, Holliday said.

“If (someone) grew up in California and didn’t wear sunscreen when they were growing up and sees an unusual mole, they should have it checked out.”

Local beach ratings

Malibu – A

Hermosa – A+

Manhattan – A+

Redondo – A+

Cabrillo – F

Palos Verdes – A

Westward – A+

Ocean Park – A+

Santa Monica – A

Venice – A+