May 25, 2023
Media Contact:
Nicole Mooradian, 310-420-4550, pio@bh.lacounty.gov
Westward Beach receives international Blue Flag eco-award
Stretch of Zuma Beach is first beach ever on the U.S. West Coast to receive Blue Flag honor
The first-ever Blue Flag awarded to a beach on the West Coast of the United States was raised over Westward Beach in Malibu on Thursday as part of a ceremony to commemorate this prestigious designation.
Operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH), Westward Beach, the portion of Zuma Beach that stretches along Westward Beach Road from Zuma Lagoon to the Sunset Restaurant, is one of only two recipients of the Blue Flag award in the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii during the first year that beaches in the 50 states applied for the honor.
“Los Angeles County has some of the most stunning beaches in the world, and now Westward Beach in Malibu is among the cleanest in the world, too,” said Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who represents Malibu as part of L.A. County’s Third District. “Westward is among only a few in the U.S. to earn the distinguished Blue Flag Award for environmental management and safety. Congratulations to DBH for earning this global designation.
“I join the Malibu community and beachgoers across the region in appreciation for our coastline’s natural beauty that we all have a role in preserving.”
Blue Flag is an international awards program that promotes environmental education and information, environmental management, safety and services, social responsibility, and responsible tourism. Internationally, the Blue Flag has been awarded to more than 5,000 beaches, marinas and tourism boats from 50 countries.
Before applying for the honor, Westward Beach had to meet more than 30 criteria related to those categories.
“We’re thrilled and honored that the Westward Beach portion of world-famous Zuma Beach is flying one of the first Blue Flags in the U.S.,” DBH Director Gary Jones said. “The Blue Flag will provide visitors with extra assurance that we are responsibly caring for our coast.”
DBH began its journey with Blue Flag in 2020 as a feasibility advisor to the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) as the organization prepared to launch the Blue Flag program in the U.S., and Westward Beach was officially entered into the Blue Flag program as a pilot site in 2021.
More information on the global and U.S. Blue Flag programs is available online at blueflag.global and blueflag.us, respectively.
A media kit with photos of Westward Beach is available at bit.ly/BlueFlagDBH.