Help Keep State Waterways Clean! Join Thousands of Volunteers for Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 19

Published: Sep 17, 2026

District : Headquarters

Contact :

Phone : 916-639-5180

Sacramento - Mark your calendars for California's largest annual volunteer cleanup effort on Saturday, Sept. 19. Communities statewide will come together for the 42 ^nd Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day to remove litter along beaches, rivers, creeks, bays, and wetlands. From veteran cleanup champions to students fulfilling their community service requirements, all volunteers are invited to roll up their sleeves and make local communities cleaner and healthier for all.

Last year, more than 40,000 volunteers joined hundreds of clean-up events statewide to remove almost 400,000 pounds of trash from California shorelines, lakes, and waterways. To find and register for a 2026 event near you, visit the California Coastal Commission's handy cleanup map at CoastalCleanupDay.org .

"The desire for clean water and a litter-free Golden state connects all Californians, and Coastal Cleanup Day provides residents an opportunity to work shoulder-to-shoulder and experience first-hand how much can be achieved by working together for the greater good," said Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy. "This year, the cleanups are even more important ahead of the strong El Niño storms expected this fall. The more trash and other pollutants we can remove now, the less will be swept untreated into our waterways and washed downstream to the ocean."

Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy

Coastal Cleanup Day 2025 at Ocean Beach, San Francisco

Research has shown up to 80 percent of trash found on ocean beaches originates from inland sources. This data emphasizes why the cleanup day goes beyond cleaning up only coastal areas and includes inland waterways.

"The passion and dedication of California volunteers year after year is what makes this movement so impactful," said California Coastal Commission Executive Director Kate Huckelbridge. "Community by community and generation by generation, people step up to care for our coastlines and inland waters. We are deeply grateful for their support and invite everyone to be part of this vital effort on Sept. 19."

California Coastal Commission Executive Director Kate Huckelbridge

As in past years, Caltrans' Stormwater Program is co-sponsoring cleanup events in all 12 Caltrans districts. This includes:

River City Waterway Alliance (RCWA)

•Time: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
• Robert T. Matsui Waterfront Park

• 450 Jibboom St., Sacramento, CA 95811

Shorebird Park Nature Center

•Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

• Shorebird Nature Center
•160 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710

Inland Empire Waterkeeper

• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• Doty Trust Park

• 5410 Golden Ave, Riverside, CA 92505

Orange County Coastkeeper

• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• Location: Huntington Beach Tower 7
• Address: 21601 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92646

San Diego Coastkeeper

•Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

• Otay Valley Regional Park - Beyer Way
• Address: 231 Beyer Way Chula Vista, CA 91911

Throughout the year, Caltrans' Stormwater Program works to remind the public that keeping roadways, riverbanks, and coastlines clear of trash and other pollutants reduces the amount of untreated stormwater pollution entering our water systems. Caltrans encourages drivers to do their part year-round by properly securing truck loads and roof cargo and collecting trash in their cars to prevent it from blowing or spilling out of vehicles.

Caltrans also led Governor Gavin Newsom's $1.2 billion Clean CA program, a multiyear cleanup effort that removed more than 3.2 million cubic yards of trash, created thousands of jobs, and funded hundreds of local community projects to reclaim, transform and beautify public spaces. California volunteer groups can also assist with year-round litter collection activity through the highway department's Adopt-A-Highway program. Adoptions usually span a two-mile stretch of roadside, and signs are included at no charge. For more information and to inquire about program participation, visit here .

To learn more about Caltrans' Stormwater Program and access a list of year-round tips that help keep California's waterways cleaner, visit CleanWaterCA.com .

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