Abalone Cove Tops List of Most Romantic Beaches

On a list of the West Coast's most dreamy beaches, Abalone Cove is all roses.

The Rancho Palos Verdes beach made a Heal the Bay "Valentine's Day Beach Guide for Ocean Lovers," released Tuesday, which encompasses Southern and Northern California, in addition to Oregon and Washington.

The romantic spots were recognized for their shores and serene views, as well as for receiving "A" water-quality grades from .

Abalone Cove made the list of the most romantic with its "perfect" picnic spots, migratory whale watching and tide-pool exploration.

Other beaches on the list include, Laguna Beach in Orange County; Encinal Canyon, El Matador in Malibu; Windansea in La Jolla; Stinson Beach in Marin County (North and South); Morro Strand Beach along the Central Coast; Ocean Beach in San Francisco; Neskowin Beach in Oregon; Westport Beach in Washington; and Sunset Beach in Santa Cruz County (read more about these beaches here).

Among beaches that could kill the Valentine's Day mood was Avalon at Catalina Island because of its poor historical water-quality grades.

"So romantic there's even a song about this Channel Island, but the idyllic spot is marred by chronic pollution," the Heal the Bay guide said.

Others to be cautious about included Dana Point's Doheny Beach and Arroyo Burro in Santa Barbara.

Beaches with the most romantic monikers, such as Heart's Desire in Marin County and Lover's Point Peak in Monterey don't always earn high water quality grades because they are enclosed beaches, rather than on open ocean, according to the guide.

Check out water-quality grades for more than 650 beaches in California, Oregon and Washington at http://brc.healthebay.org/.