Born and brought up in Santacruz, we have frequented this beach like our father's property, since horses and camels rode with children on their backs. This visit was after 4-5 years, post covid.
We entered the beach from on of the southern gates, opp Bloom Hotels. The crowd was less, the sand was good. We walked towards the main beach front, and it got more and more crowded. Yes it was a Friday night, but trust me, the amount of people, and the filth they created, was unimaginable. Plastic wrappers, bottles, broken slippers, eaten coconuts and corn stubs; even plastic straws that are banned. To top it off, we ate at those brightly lit pav bhaji and gola restaurants. All of us had bloating feeling for the next 2 days. Millions eat there though! We chose a gola guy who claimed to use packaged water, was a bit more expensive than the others.
Verdict, juhu beach, avoid during weekends. Eating at those restaurants, completely avoid. There are a few very good bars and restaurants around, try them. Pure veg also available.