SeeCalifornia.com

Living near some of California State Park’s most visited beaches (our locals claim Huntington Beach gets 15 million visitors each year to the 9 mile-span of coast,) the drive along Pacific Coast Highway after Labor Day Weekend typically includes views of trash strewn all along the road. From dodging plastic bags flying through the air (has a burning plastic smell when they become attached and melt under your car,) to trash cans overflowing, the sand & sea scene has “waste” written all over it.

If the paid staff don’t get it cleaned up right away, there’s a volunteer crew at the ready — and it could include you! The 35th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, Sept.21, 2019 (third Saturday in September,) gives the public a chance to do some feel-good community service, while gaining an eye-opening education on how much trash is out in public view.

Claiming more than 1,000 locations and over 70,000 participants, California Coastal Commission creates an online map of locations where you can participate, along with sign up links and contacts. The effort is not solely focused on the coast, however. Other cleanup spots include inland trails, the Sacramento River, Santa Clara County creeks and beloved spots in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

If you’re ready to pitch in, you may still have time to sign up before the big day!