E. Coli Concerns Shut California’s Capitola Beach, Nine Children Exposed
WHO:
Los Angeles Times - Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency reported that the outbreak sickened at least nine children: four from Santa Cruz County and five from other Bay Area counties.
KSBW - Santa Cruz County Health Officer Lisa Hernandez said there were no deaths, all affected individuals had recovered, and two people had been hospitalized.
KSBW - Paul Echols traveled from Modesto to vacation in Capitola and said, “You’ve got to protect the public.”
KSBW - Lauren De La Parra visited to celebrate her husband’s birthday and let their young child play.
Los Angeles Times - The County of Santa Cruz and City of Capitola closed the beach while public health officials investigated the outbreak.
WHAT:
Los Angeles Times - The E. coli O157 outbreak prompted the temporary closure of Capitola Beach.
KSBW - County leaders said the closure was intended to reduce further exposure and protect public safety.
Los Angeles Times - Officials tested water at four nearby locations: upstream near Nob Hill, the jetty, Soquel Creek Lagoon, and the flume where water enters Monterey Bay.
KSBW - Investigators submitted multiple soil, water, and fecal samples to the CDC to try to identify the source.
Los Angeles Times - The City of Capitola said the Esplanade remained open, but visitors and pets should avoid contact with ocean, creek, and lagoon water.
KSBW - Surfers and several young children were seen wading in the surf despite the closure; many others stayed out of the water and off the beach.
KSBW - Hernandez said investigators might not identify a source and that reopening would depend on weighing community safety; she hoped to reopen the beach as soon as possible.
WHERE:
Los Angeles Times - Capitola Beach is at the mouth of Soquel Creek in Capitola, Santa Cruz County, California.
Los Angeles Times - The investigation covers Capitola Beach and surrounding waterways.
KSBW - The affected children were from Santa Cruz County and the wider Bay Area; Echols traveled from Modesto.
WHY:
Los Angeles Times - Officials closed the beach while investigating possible sources of E. coli and potential exposures.
KSBW - County health leaders closed the beach “out of an abundance of caution” to reduce further exposure.
HOW:
Los Angeles Times - Public health officials investigated possible contamination by testing water at four locations near the beach.
KSBW - Officials used soil, water, and fecal samples in a stepwise investigation; Hernandez said the process was intended to assess risk and that identifying a source could not be guaranteed.
(UPDATED November 13, 2026 01:10 UTC)
Capitola Beach closed amid an E. coli outbreak that sickened at least nine children. Two people were hospitalized, but everyone affected recovered, and no deaths were reported. Officials are testing nearby water and other samples to investigate the contamination source.