Orange County Coastal Cleanup Day 2026: Locations & Sign Up

California Coastal Cleanup Day is an annual event focused on the cleaning and preservation of the California coastline and waterways. Traditionally held every third Saturday of September and organized by the California Coastal Commission, it is California's largest annual volunteer event, bringing people together to remove litter from beaches, creeks, rivers, lakes and inland waterways while raising awareness about marine debris and pollution prevention.

California Coastal Cleanup Day 2026: Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Time: 9:00 AM-Noon | Locations: Beaches and inland waterways throughout Orange County and California | Registration: Varies by cleanup site.

During California Coastal Cleanup Day, volunteers gather at coastal and inland destinations to pick up trash, debris, and litter from beaches, shorelines, creeks, rivers, parks, and neighborhoods. Data collected on debris types and quantities is utilized to pinpoint pollution origins, educate the public, and advocate for policies and regulations aimed at minimizing marine debris.

Some of the most commonly collected items are cigarette butts, food wrappers & containers, caps/lids, bags (paper & plastic), cups/plates/utensils, straws/stirrers, glass beverage bottles, beverage cans and construction material.

How To Participate

Orange County Coastkeeper is the county coordinator for Coastal Cleanup Day. Use the Orange County Coastal Cleanup Day page to find local sites and registration details, or use the California Coastal Cleanup Map for locations statewide. Some sites require advance registration while others allow walk-ins, and a few participating cleanups take place on dates other than September 19. Space may be limited, so register early when required.

California Coastal Cleanup Day

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM-Noon
Orange County Coordinator: Orange County Coastkeeper
Registration: Varies by cleanup site

OC Coastal Cleanup Day Locations

North & Central OC: Brea Creek Channel - City of Brea; La Habra - Coyote Creek Bike Trail; Orange - Hart Park; Orange - Yorba Park; Santa Ana Gardens Channel at Jerome Park
Huntington Beach & Seal Beach: Bartlett Park; Bolsa Chica State Beach with California State Parks; Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve participating sites; Huntington Beach Cliffs; Huntington City Beach; Huntington State Beach; Seal Beach Pier & 1st Street
Newport Beach & Irvine: Pirates Cove; 15th Street; Palm Street; Tower 74; Upper Newport Bay; Irvine - San Joaquin Marsh
Laguna Beach & Crystal Cove: Aliso Beach; Main Beach; Pelican Point at Crystal Cove State Park; Reef Point at Crystal Cove State Park
Dana Point & San Juan Capistrano: Baby Beach & Ocean Institute; Capistrano Beach; Salt Creek Beach Park; Doheny State Beach and San Juan Creek; Descanso Park
San Clemente: San Clemente State Beach; San Clemente Pier; T-Street Beach
Canyons: Santiago Canyon Watershed (Silverado); Trabuco Canyon

More Cleanup Day Locations

Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge – October 3, 2026
Peter’s Landing, Huntington Beach – October 10, 2026Descanso Park, San Juan Capistrano

Additional Ways To Cleanup California's Coast

Surfrider Foundation chapters schedule beach cleanups. See the South Orange County and the North Orange County Surfrider cleanup schedules.

Orange County Coastkeeper has monthly beach cleanups. See the OCC Beach Cleanup Schedule.

Many corporations, service and professional organizations and hundreds of California schools participate in the Adopt-A Beach program. When a group "adopts" a beach, they commit to cleaning it at least three times per year.

Scout projects and other volunteer opportunities are available for half day, full day, and complex projects.

California State Parks volunteer opportunities include a variety of stewardship and cleanup projects. Check the California State Parks volunteer page for current opportunities rather than relying on a specific recurring cleanup program.