California Coastal Cleanup Day Returns Sept. 20 with 700+ Sites and a Statewide “Trashure Hunt”

On Saturday, Sept. 20, tens of thousands of Californians will roll up their sleeves for the 41st annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, the state’s largest volunteer event dedicated to cleaning up beaches, rivers, lakes, and shorelines.

From 9 am to noon, more than 45,000 volunteers are expected to spread out across over 700 sites statewide, including beaches, state parks, and inland waterways stretching all the way to the Sierra. The event is coordinated by the California Coastal Commission in partnership with California State Parks, the Division of Boating and Waterways, and local groups.

Last year, volunteers removed more than 400,000 pounds of trash and recyclables from California’s waterways. Nearly 75 percent of the debris collected was plastic, which poses serious threats to wildlife, ecosystems, and even human health.

This year’s cleanup comes with a fun twist: it’s being called the world’s largest scavenger hunt. Special “trashure” items will be hidden at cleanup sites across the state, and lucky volunteers who find them can redeem prizes.

The event is also part of the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by the Ocean Conservancy, which brings together millions of volunteers around the globe.

Anyone can join by using the interactive map of cleanup sites available on the California Coastal Commission’s website. Participants are encouraged to bring reusable supplies, help reduce waste, and share their experiences on social media with #coastalcleanupday.

Mark your calendars, grab some gloves, and get ready to make a difference for California’s waterways on Sept. 20.