Environmental issues are California’s political bread-and-
butter. Los Angeles is rightly famous for its smog, though the
San Francisco Bay Area is rapidly catching up in this
unattractive race. If you’re sensitive to airborne pollution,
take special precautions on days that local air quality
officials designate “Spare the Air.” These are days, mostly in
the summer, when pollution levels are especially high. Stay
indoors or, when going out, use public transportation. Water
pollution is also an issue in California; plenty of sensational
news stories crucify the state’s drinking water, while others
laud it. Most tap water is safe to drink, but swimming in
California’s plentiful rivers and ocean requires more caution.
Sadly, water pollution from dumping into the ocean affects beach
goers. Dirt and pollution are common in the waters and on the
beaches of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, while fishing is no
longer permitted in the San Francisco Bay due to the long-
standing pollution problems and high mercury levels