Welcome to the California Coastal Commission's Public Education Program Web Site!
Can't make it to Coastal Cleanup Day? Or, want to keep enjoying our coastal resources after the cleanup is done? Then you should check out our Coastweeks Calendar! Coastweeks takes place in the three weeks following Coastal Cleanup Day. You can participate in nature walks, restoration efforts, workshops, and more! Just visit our Coastweeks page to find an event that's right for you.

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Participate in Coastal Cleanup Day


Three easy steps to participate in Coastal Cleanup Day, September 19, 2009:

  1. Select a location and contact the local coordinator for that area.
  2. Cleanups will be held throughout California along bays, creeks, rivers, highways, and the coast. Select the area that you would like to help clean and then recruit your friends, family and co-workers. Contact the local coordinator (contact info is linked from the counties below) for directions and instructions on cleaning the site. If there is no cleanup site in your local area, you may volunteer to set up a site. Call (800) COAST-4U or e-mail coast4u@coastal.ca.gov

    If you are under the age of 18, you will need to get a parent or guardian to sign a waiver form before participating. Read our safety page for more information.

  3. Check-In
  4. Wear sunscreen, shoes, hat, and gloves. When you check in at the cleanup location, you will be given trash bags, pencils, and a special data card to tally the items you collect.

  5. On the beach...
  6. Data collection is important! Your data goes into the Ocean Conservancy’s international database, which is used to identify the sources of debris and to help devise solutions to the marine debris problem. Be sure to return trash, recyclables and your data card to the beach or site captain after the cleanup.


Click on the county on the map below, or use the alphabetical County List.