Santa Monica Bay facts for kids
Santa Monica Bay is a large curve of the Pacific Ocean located in Southern California, United States. Think of it like a big, gentle bend in the coastline. It stretches from Point Dume in Malibu down to the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
This beautiful bay forms the western edge of the Los Angeles Westside and South Bay areas. Long ago, the Los Angeles River flowed into the bay. But after a big change in 1825, now only Ballona Creek is a major stream flowing into it. Smaller creeks like Malibu Creek and Topanga Creek also drain into the bay.
Santa Monica Bay is famous for its amazing beaches. Some of the most well-known include Malibu Lagoon State Beach (also called Surfrider), Will Rogers State Beach, Santa Monica State Beach, and Dockweiler State Beach.
Many piers stretch out into the bay, offering great spots for fishing and enjoying the view. These include Malibu Pier, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Pier, Manhattan Beach Pier, Hermosa Beach Pier, and Redondo Beach pier. Marina Del Rey is a special harbor built for boats. The bay is also a very popular place for fishing all year round. There's even an artificial surfing spot called Chevron Reef.
A Look at the Bay's Past
In the 1930s, some unusual ships appeared in Santa Monica Bay. These were gambling ships that anchored just outside the legal limit from the shore. People loved visiting them, and soon many large ships and barges were used for gambling.
However, the State Attorney General changed how the limit was measured, making these ships illegal. One very large ship even held off the state police for nine days! Newspapers called this event The Battle of Santa Monica Bay.
Protecting the Bay's Water
Santa Monica Bay was once a major place for commercial fishing. But as Los Angeles County grew, a lot of sewage and dirty storm water ended up in the bay. This caused the water quality to get much worse in the 20th century.
Luckily, things have improved a lot! Thanks to projects required by the Clean Water Act and efforts from groups like Heal the Bay and the Surfrider Foundation, the bay's water is much cleaner now. The Hyperion sewage treatment plant now cleans its water much better before it goes into the bay.
However, when it rains a lot in winter, the bay can still have problems like algal blooms. These are times when too many tiny plants grow in the water. This can sometimes cause beaches along the shore to close for safety.
Communities Around the Bay
Many towns and cities are located along the shores of Santa Monica Bay. These communities enjoy the beautiful ocean views and access to the beaches.
- El Porto
- El Segundo
- Hermosa Beach
- Malibu
- Manhattan Beach
- Marina del Rey
- Pacific Palisades
- Palos Verdes Estates
- Playa del Rey
- Rancho Palos Verdes
- Redondo Beach
- Santa Monica
- Torrance
- Venice
See also
In Spanish: Bahía de Santa Mónica para niños
