About
Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Beach Cleanup Program organizes volunteer-powered beach cleanups and park cleanups where participants collect trash using provided tools. The program holds beach cleanups throughout the county and structures them as waste-free events that do not allow drinks, food, or items that are bottled, wrapped, or in containers made of single-use plastic or EPS foam.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Up to six public beach cleanups each month, with most cleanups lasting about two hours
Surfrider San Diego will provide volunteers with grabbers, gloves, and reusable bags to collect trash, and volunteers are encouraged to bring their own supplies if they have them because supplies can run out. Participants are asked to bring drinks or snacks only in reusable containers, and Surfrider typically does not provide water refill stations at cleanups, so participants bring their own water in reusable containers. Children are welcome to join cleanups, with supervision and waiver requirements for minors, and public beach cleanups are eligible for service hours. Some cleanup sites have a maximum number of participants, including Tamarack and South Ponto (100), Imperial Beach (200), and Pacific Beach (250). Surfrider San Diego allows sponsorships of public beach cleanups, which require approval from the national office and the San Diego Chapter’s Executive Committee and a minimum 45-day lead time.
The Surfrider Foundation states that it is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network. Surfrider Foundation San Diego County and San Diego Coastkeeper partner each year to host these volunteer-powered beach and park cleanups across San Diego County to address the issue of trash along the coast and in inland waterways. Volunteers of all ages, community groups, tourists, clubs, local and corporate businesses and elected officials around the country take part in this program. The San Diego Chapter Manager is Joana Guerra, and the Clean Border Water Now Campaign Manager is Sarah Davidson.
Last updated July 12, 2026.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Up to six public beach cleanups each month, with most cleanups lasting about two hours
Surfrider San Diego will provide volunteers with grabbers, gloves, and reusable bags to collect trash, and volunteers are encouraged to bring their own supplies if they have them because supplies can run out. Participants are asked to bring drinks or snacks only in reusable containers, and Surfrider typically does not provide water refill stations at cleanups, so participants bring their own water in reusable containers. Children are welcome to join cleanups, with supervision and waiver requirements for minors, and public beach cleanups are eligible for service hours. Some cleanup sites have a maximum number of participants, including Tamarack and South Ponto (100), Imperial Beach (200), and Pacific Beach (250). Surfrider San Diego allows sponsorships of public beach cleanups, which require approval from the national office and the San Diego Chapter’s Executive Committee and a minimum 45-day lead time.
The Surfrider Foundation states that it is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network. Surfrider Foundation San Diego County and San Diego Coastkeeper partner each year to host these volunteer-powered beach and park cleanups across San Diego County to address the issue of trash along the coast and in inland waterways. Volunteers of all ages, community groups, tourists, clubs, local and corporate businesses and elected officials around the country take part in this program. The San Diego Chapter Manager is Joana Guerra, and the Clean Border Water Now Campaign Manager is Sarah Davidson.
Last updated July 12, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.