Every September, thousands of Californians gather on a single Saturday along beaches, shorelines and inland waterways with one simple task: pick up trash before it becomes part of the fragile coastal ecosystem.
This annual event is California Coastal Cleanup Day, which according to Guinness World Records is the largest single-day volunteer event in the world. Last year, over 47,000 volunteers participated, organizers said.
Coastal Cleanup Day is supported by the California Coastal Commission, California State Parks and Ocean Conservancy.
This year, organizers hope to break another record by also hosting the world’s largest scavenger hunt.
On Saturday, over 700 coastal cleanup “Trashure Hunts” will take place statewide at beaches, bays, rivers, creeks, parks, roadsides and highways — all areas that can impact the delicate ocean waters of California.
In addition to picking up trash, participants can set out to find secret prizes hidden at cleanup sites. Prizes include tickets to a San Francisco Giants game, luxury hotel stays, gift cards for local restaurants, e-bikes, a rafting trip, and even cash prizes.
“We’re very excited about this year’s creative twist on Coastal Cleanup Day,” said Kate Huckelbridge, executive director of the event. “Californians have repeatedly shown up to protect the state’s iconic shoreline, and this is our way of celebrating that dedication.”
To participate, volunteers can go online where they will find an interactive map with exact locations and event information.
Events will take place throughout the greater Bay Area, as well as neighboring San Joaquin and Mendocino counties. Cleanup locations include Muir Beach in Marin County, the Oxbow of the Napa River in Napa, Carmel Sunset Beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Sandy Beach Park in Rio Vista, the marina in Pittsburg, Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, and hundreds of other locations.
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