While California's beaches are setting records this summer for visitor traffic, there are things you should consider before hitting the road. It has long been believed that polluted ocean water sources cause illnesses for swimmers and a recent study offered some insight that may surprise you. Believe it or not, Science Daily reported that you may be better off swimming in the ocean than digging and playing in the sand next to the shore.

This new study flies in the face of popular beliefs that during visits to the beach you can get sick when there are high levels of pollutants, so it's safer to stay on the sand. In this recently released report, scientists discovered high concentrations of water-born pollutants can actually make you and your children sicker when you dig in the sand versus swim in the water!