Beach Cleanups

SOS hosts monthly cleanups open to the public to demonstrate how community groups and individuals of all ages can make a difference in protecting our local marine environment and keeping our coastline free from harmful debris. We host cleanups in Santa Cruz and coastal San Mateo Counties.


Locations rotate each month. All public beach cleanups in Santa Cruz County are held on the third Saturday of each month, from 10am to Noon. In San Mateo, cleanups are held on every fourth Saturday of the month, from 10am to Noon. For Santa Cruz County cleanup sites, visit our interactive map.


It’s easy to participate: All you have to do is show up! A Save Our Shores’ representative will check you in, have each participant sign a waiver (participants under 18 who will not have a parent or guardian present can print the waiver form beforehand), and distribute all cleanup supplies (including bags, gloves, and our data cards).


Upcoming public cleanups can be found on our calendar of events.

Save Our Shores is a member of the Clean Beaches Coalition. This Coalition is a coordinated effort between several local non-profit organizations to provide the public with a consistent, one stop shop for marine debris info and beach cleanup calendar. Member organizations are Save Our Shores, Surfrider Foundation, Pack Your Trash, and Ecology Action. For more info visit the Clean Beaches Coalition website.

A trashed day at Twin Lakes State Beach

For 30 years now Save Our Shores has been doing beach cleanups yet the problem of marine debris doesn't seem to be getting any better. In fact, due to our "disposable lifestyles" the problem only seems to be getting worse.

In 2008, SOS has decided to take a new approach to tackling marine debris; we’re excited to begin offering monthly river cleanups on the second Saturday of each month, 10am to Noon!

Locations rotate throughout the year amongst locations along San Lorenzo River, Aptos Creek, and Valencia Creek, Pajaro River, Soquel Creek and Arana Gulch in Santa Cruz County. For specifics on our Santa Cruz County river cleanup sites visit our interactive map.

It’s easy to participate: All you have to do is show up! A Save Our Shores’ representative will check you in, have each participant sign a waiver (participants under 18 who will not have a parent or guardian present can print the waiver form beforehand), and distribute all cleanup supplies (including bags, gloves, and our data cards). During river cleanups, extra supplies are available on a first come, first served basis, including rubber boots, shovels, etc.

Special Concerns should be noted by all participants as inland sites along our rivers and sloughs pose unique challenges. Participants need to be more aware of habitat sensitivity, along with the threat of poison oak, and other more hazardous materials associated with homeless and transient populations. Youth under the age of 15 should be accompanied by an adult for all inland sites, contact cleanup@saveourshores.org for questions or concerns in regards to age appropriateness.

Temple Beth-El volunteers dig out debris in Aptos Creek.