Bay Area beaches ranked among state’s best in report — with a few exceptions

Bay Area beaches received mostly positive reviews in a new report released by an environmental group that rates more than 500 beaches in California for their water quality every year.

Nonprofit organization Heal the Bay rates beaches along the West Coast on a grading scale, which is determined by water quality events, like sewage spills and rainfall, along with routine bacteria pollution sampling. Beaches with a C grade or worse are more likely to have bacteria that can make beachgoers sick with the flu, ear infections and other illnesses.