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Coastal Cleanup Day 2023

General information

Join us for the 39th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day!  Saturday, September 23 from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and all month long! Please note: cleanup times on the 23rd may vary by location and select sites are hosting their cleanup on Saturday, September 16th instead. Be sure to check the details under the city you plan on participating. 

This cleanup event is a great way for families, friends, community groups, and schools to come together to help clean up creeks, parks, neighborhoods, and local beaches.

Sign up for Coastal Cleanup Day 2023 reminder emails to stay updated about this event.

Self-led Neighborhood Cleanup – All September Long

If you are cleaning up your neighborhood throughout the month of September, please click here

2023 Coastal Cleanup Day Locations

There are over 30 cleanup locations to choose from throughout the County.  Click on a city listed below to find a site near you and register with the site captain today!

1. Download the Clean Swell app to track the litter you collect on the day of the event. 
2. Complete the digital waiver form (English Waiver | Spanish Waiver). You will receive a copy of your waiver via email once complete. Save this email to show to your site captain.
3. Or print and sign a waiver and bring it with you to the cleanup. (Paper English Waiver Paper Spanish Waiver)
4. For a safe and successful event, wear sunscreen, closed toe shoes, a hat, and bring your reusable gloves, buckets, and water bottle.

Atherton 

There are no cleanup sites in this town. If you are interested in hosting a cleanup here, please email pollutionprevention@smcgov.org or call (650) 388-2096.

Belmont 

Cleanup Site: Belmont City Hall
Clean Swell App Group Name: Belmont Barracudas
Site Captain: Julie Freitas, City of Belmontjfreitas@belmont.gov650-595-7425
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Belmont City Hall, 1 Twin Pines Ln, Belmont
Directions: Cross streets are Ralston Ave. and Sixth Ave.
Parking: Limited parking is available in Twin Pines Park. Carpooling is encouraged.

Brisbane 

Brisbane Marina cleanup will take place on the 23rd 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
Cleanup Site:
Brisbane Marina 
Clean Swell App Group Name: City of Brisbane
Site Captain: Adrienne Etherton, City of Brisbane
Register: Adrienne Etherton, City of Brisbane | aetherton@brisbaneca.org
Meetup Address: Brisbane Marina – north parking lot near the Public Fishing Pier and Dock 6 
Directions: 
From 101 Southbound out of San Francisco: Exit at Sierra Point Parkway. Continue on Sierra Point Parkway for ~1.5 miles until it comes to an end.  Turn left and head to the far end of the parking lot in the northeast corner.
From Central Brisbane, take Tunnel Avenue to Lagoon Way, turn right at Sierra Point Parkway. Continue on Sierra Point Parkway for ~1.5 miles until it comes to an end.  Turn left and head to the far end of the parking lot in the northeast corner.
From 101 Northbound: Exit at Sierra Point Parkway, turn right onto Sierra Point Parkway. Continue on Sierra Point Parkway for ~.5 miles until it comes to an end.  Turn left and head to the far end of the parking lot in the northeast corner.
Parking: The meeting location will be in the northeast parking lot of the Brisbane Marina. Ample parking is available on site.

Burlingame 

Cleanup Site: Burlingame – Bayfront Cleanup 
Clean Swell App Group Name: Burlingame
Site Captain: Jennifer Lee, City of Burlingame | 650-438-5514jlee@burlingame.org
Register: burlingame.org/cleanup
Meetup Address: 150 Anza Blvd, Burlingame 94010
Directions: Registration tables will be set up next to the public bathroom stalls in the parking lot adjacent to Embassy Suites.
Parking: Limited free parking spaces in the parking lot next to Embassy Suites.

Colma 

There are no cleanup sites in this town. If you are interested in hosting a cleanup here, please email pollutionprevention@smcgov.org or call (650) 388-2096.

Daly City 

Thornton Vista cleanup will be held on September 16 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Cleanup Site:
Thornton Vista
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Thornton
Site Captain: Cynthia Bringas, Sierra Cook, Pacific Beach Coalition | (415) 505-5115
Register: Registration Form 
Meetup Address: Meet at the end of Thornton Way
Directions: Google Maps
Parking: Drive north on Skyline Blvd off John Daly Blvd. Turn left onto Olympic Way, park all the way at the end. 

Mussel Rock cleanup will be held on September 16 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Cleanup Site:
Mussel Rock
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Mussel Rock
Site Captain: Helen Nicely, Pacific Beach Coalition
Register: Registration Form
Address: Mussel Rock Open Space Parking Lot, Daly City 
Directions: Drive to the west end of Westline Drive, (DO NOT drive up the other Westline Drive that goes up a steep hill).
Parking: Free parking is always available in a spacious parking area.

East Palo Alto 

Cleanup Site: Cooley Landing
Clean Swell App Group Name: Grassroots Ecology
Site Captain: Barbara Camacho Garcia, Grassroots Ecology, barbara@grassrootsecology.org 
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: 2100 Bay Rd. East Palo Alto
Directions: Head east down Bay Road
Parking: Two parking lots are available free of charge

El Granada

Cleanup Site: Surfer’s Beach
Clean Swell App Group Name: Sea Hugger
Site Captain: Taletha Derrington, Sea Huggershell@seahugger.org
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Meet in the dirt parking lot across from Surfer’s Beach on Obispo Road in El Granada.
Directions: If traveling from north of El Granada, take Highway 1 and turn left at the light at Coronado St. If traveling from south of El Granada, turn right on Coronado St. Immediately turn left on Obispo Rd. The dirt parking lot is a 1/4 mile down the road. Meet us in the dirt parking lot. When headed to the beach, walk to the crosswalk at the light at Coronado St. to cross over to Surfer’s Beach. Do not jay walk.
Parking: Park in the dirt lot across from Surfer’s Beach. 

Cleanup Site: Pillar Point Harbor 
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Pillar Point Harbor
Site Captain: Laurel Frishman, Pacific Beach Coalition 
Register: Registration Form 
Meetup Address: Meet behind the Pillar Point Harbormaster station at One Johnson Pier, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019. Please note that this location borders El Granada and Half Moon Bay. 
Directions: From Highway 1, turn west onto Capistrano, then left onto Pillar Point Harbor Blvd (Pillar Point Harbor sign), then right on Johnson Pier. Plenty of parking in harbormaster station lot or lot east of Pillar Point Harbor Blvd.
Parking: Park on the side of the road or at the harbor.

Foster City 

Cleanup Site: Bridgeview Park
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Foster City
Site Captains: info@pacificbeachcoalition.org  
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Parks and Recreation, Beach Park Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404
Parking: Street parking and meet in the area by the restrooms. Limited parking available in the parking lot. 

Cleanup Site: Baywinds Park
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Foster City
Site Captains: info@pacificbeachcoalition.org 
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Meeting point is at the parking lot at the end of Lakeside Dr.
Directions: From E. 3rd Avenue, turn onto Lakeside Dr. going towards the water. Keep going on Lakeside Drive until you reach the parking lot across the Bay Trail.
Parking: Park in the parking lot at the end of Lakeside Dr. . 

Cleanup Site: Foster City Lagoon – Rock Harbor Ln & Port Royal Ave.
Clean Swell App Group Name: Marina Lagoon
Site Captain: Rick | 650-773-9171rkscpa@gmail.com
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: 56 Port Royal Ave, Foster City, CA 94404
Directions: 56 Port Royal Ave, Foster City
Parking: Street parking available at small park opposite 56 Port Royal, or park on Port Royal.

Cleanup Site: Foster City Lagoon - Virgo Lane & Beach Park Blvd.
Clean Swell App Group Name: Marina Lagoon
Site Captain: Rick | 650-773-9171rkscpa@gmail.com
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Near 300 Beach Park Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404
Directions: 300 Beach Park Blvd.
Parking: Street parking available.

Half Moon Bay 

Cleanup Site: Dunes Beach
Clean Swell App Group Name: Rotary HMB
Site Captain: Susan Kealey, Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay | skealey@coastside.net
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Dunes Beach Parking Lot, Young Avenue
Directions: Hwy 1 and Young Avenue, Half Moon Bay 
Parking: Beach parking lot, let them know you’re part of the cleanup crew.

Cleanup Site: Pillar Point Harbor 
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Pillar Point Harbor
Site Captain: Laurel Frishman, Pacific Beach Coalition 
Register: Registration Form 
Meetup Address: Meet behind the Pillar Point Harbormaster station at One Johnson Pier, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019. Please note that this location borders El Granada and Half Moon Bay. 
Directions: From Highway 1, turn west onto Capistrano, then left onto Pillar Point Harbor Blvd (Pillar Point Harbor sign), then right on Johnson Pier. Plenty of parking in harbormaster station lot or lot east of Pillar Point Harbor Blvd.
Parking: Park on the side of the road or at the harbor.

Cleanup Site: Francis Beach
Clean Swell App Group Name: Surfrider San Mateo 
Site Captain: Lilly Hsueh | Surfrider San Mateo Chaptervolunteercoordinator@smc.surfrider.org
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: 95 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay
Directions: Meet at the beach entrance.
Parking: Beach parking lot.

Cleanup Site: Poplar Beach
Clean Swell App Group Name: Coastside Land Trust
Site Captain: Leah Henning | leah@coastsidelandtrust.org
Register: Registration Form 
Meetup Address: Meet at west end of Poplar Street
Directions: Hwy 1 and Poplar Street, Half Moon Bay
Parking: Parking available at Poplar Beach parking lot. Parking permits provided. 

Hillsborough 

There are no cleanup sites in this town. If you are interested in hosting a cleanup here, please email pollutionprevention@smcgov.org or call (650) 388-2096.

Menlo Park 

Cleanup Site: San Francisquito Creek
Clean Swell App Group Name: Menlo Park CCD
Site Captain: Shelley Pneh, Grassroots Ecologyshelley@grassrootsecology.org
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: 1 Alma Street, Menlo Park
Directions: 
From 101: Take the Willow Rd. exit and travel west until the road ends at the railroad tracks. Make a left on Alma St. and travel to the end of the street. Our meeting location will be on the curb.
From 280: Take the Sand Hill Rd. exit and head east. Make a left on El Camino Real. Right on Ravenswood Ave. Next right on Alma St. and head to the end of the street.
Public Transit options: From Caltrain. Alight from Palo Alto Station and walk/roll north on Alma St. Go straight through El Palo Alto Park, crossing a bridge over the creek towards the meetup location.
VTA (Santa Clara County) and SamTrans (San Mateo County): Take any bus (e.g. 22, Rapid 522, ECR) that stops at the Palo Alto Transit Center. Take the pedestrian underpass to cross under the train tracks to Alma St. Then use the Caltrain directions to head towards the meet up location. 
Parking: Street parking available along Alma St. next to the train tracks. There is no nearby official bike parking, but you can leave it at the meeting location – there will be at least one staff to look over it. 

Millbrae 

Cleanup Site: Bayfront Park 
Clean Swell App Group Name: Millbrae Monkfish
Site Captain: Stephen Kraemer
Register: stephenkraemer62@gmail.com | 650-477-0172 
Meetup Address: Bayfront Park Old Bayshore Hwy & Millbrae Ave. Millbrae, 94010
Directions: Exiting off north and southbound ramps from Bay Shore 101 Freeway and go east towards Old Bay Shore Hwy. Park entrance is in front of the Marriot Hotel.
Parking: Public parking is limited at check in site but there are side streets with ample parking.

Montara (Unincorporated San Mateo County)

Montara cleanup will be held on September 16 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Cleanup Site: Montara State Beach 
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Montara
Site Captain: Pacific Beach Coalition info@pacificbeachcoalition.org
Register: Registration Form  
Meetup Address: The parking lot is on the north side of the large building across from first street. If coming from Pacifica, go past the first Montara Beach parking lot, and turn in to the lot right next to the building.   
Parking: Free parking. Two lots north of the building and one south of the building.

Pacifica 

Esplanade cleanup will be held on September 16 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Cleanup Site:
 Esplanade
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Esplanade
Site Captain: Pacific Beach Coalition | info@pacificbeachcoalition.org
Register: Registration Form 
Meetup Address: 100 Esplanade Ave, Pacifica, CA. Meet at the top of the stairs on Esplanade Ave. next to Oceanaire Apartments.
Directions: Google Maps 
Parking: Street parking.

Linda Mar Beach cleanup will be held on September 16 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Cleanup Site:
Linda Mar Beach 
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Linda Mar
Site Captain: Pacific Beach Coalition | info@pacificbeachcoalition.org
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Surfer Lot just north of Taco Bell on Hwy 1
Directions: Linda Mar Beach Parking lot between Crespi and Linda Mar Blvd, on Hwy 1.
Parking: Parking passes will be provided. Parking is limited, volunteers are encouraged to carpool.

Manor Shopping Center will be held on September 16 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Cleanup Site:
 Manor Shopping Center 
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Manor
Site Captain: Pacific Beach Coalition
Register: Registration Form 
Meetup Address: Meet by Safeway Manor entrance.
Parking: Park in the Safeway lot.

Roberts Road cleanup will be held on September 16 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Cleanup Site:
Roberts Road
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Roberts Rd
Site Captain: Pacific Beach Coalition | info@pacificbeachcoalition.org
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Meet on Roberts Road by the overlook.
Parking: Street parking.

Rockaway Beach cleanup will be held on September 16 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Cleanup Site:
Rockaway Beach
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Rockaway
Site Captain: Pacific Beach Coalition | info@pacificbeachcoalition.org
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Pacifica Rockaway North Beach parking lot near the Best Western
Directions: Google Maps 
Parking: Parking is free.

San Pedro Creek cleanup will be held on September 16 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Cleanup Site:
San Pedro Creek
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – San Pedro
Site Captain: Pacific Beach Coalition | info@pacificbeachcoalition.org
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: At the end of San Pedro Terrace Rd by the trail head. 751 San Pedro Terrace Rd, Pacifica
Parking: Park along San Pedro Terrace Rd.

Sharp Park cleanup will be held on September 16 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Cleanup Site: 
Sharp Park
Clean Swell App Group Name:  PBC – Sharp Park
Site Captain: Pacific Beach Coalition | info@pacificbeachcoalition.org
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Corner of Beach Blvd and Clarendon Ave, Pacifica 94044
Directions: Meet where the dirt levee begins. 
Parking: Free street parking.

Pescadero (Unincorporated San Mateo County)

Cleanup Site: Pescadero State Beach
Site Captains: Yesenia Serratos & Rita Mancera, Familias Al Aire Libre and Puente, 650-868-0236, ritamancera@gmail.com
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Pescadero State Beach, Cabrillo Hwy/Hwy 1 South Parking lot.
Directions: From Half Moon Bay travel South on Highway 1, cross Pescadero Creek at the bridge and take the next right into the South Parking lot at Pescadero State Beach.
Parking: Free parking. 

Portola Valley 

There are no cleanup sites in this town. If you are interested in hosting a cleanup here, please email pollutionprevention@smcgov.org or call (650) 388-2096.

Redwood City 

Free breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m. for the Redwood City cleanup site. 
Cleanup Site:
 Redwood City
Clean Swell App Group Name: Redwood City
Site Captain: Vicki Sherman, City of Redwood City | vsherman@redwoodcity.org650-780-7472
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Public Works Services, 1400 Broadway St., Redwood City, 94063
Directions: Redwood City Public Works, corner of Broadway and Woodside. Parking entrance is on Broadway. Park and proceed through gate to Corp Yard for sign in.
Parking: Free Public Works parking lot.

The Club at Westpoint cleanup will be held from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cleanup Site: 
The Club at Westpoint
Clean Swell App Group Name: The Club at Westpoint
Site Captain: Dana Sanderson, danagsanderson@gmail.com
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Westpoint Harbor, 101 Westpoint Harbor Dr., Redwood City, 94063
Directions: Travel north or south on Highway 101 to Redwood City, and take the Woodside Rd/Seaport Boulevard exit. Go east on Seaport Blvd. towards the Bay.  Stay to the right, and Seaport Blvd. ends at a stop sign in front of Pacific Shores Center (office park). Turn right at the stop sign and go four blocks, looking for Westpoint Harbor Drive on the right. Continue on Westpoint Harbor Drive through the parking lot. 
Parking: Free parking is available at the harbor

San Bruno 

There are no cleanup sites in this town. If you are interested in hosting a cleanup here, please email pollutionprevention@smcgov.org or call (650) 388-2096.

San Carlos 

There are no cleanup sites in this city. If you are interested in hosting a cleanup here, please email pollutionprevention@smcgov.org or call (650) 388-2096.

San Gregorio (Unincorporated San Mateo County)

Cleanup Site: San Gregorio State Beach
Clean Swell App Group Name: San Gregorio Starfish
Site Captain: Neil Panton, San Gregorio Environmental Resource Centersgerc@sanmateo.org650 726-2499 
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: San Gregorio State Beach parking lot on Hwy. 1 
Directions: Hwy. 1 and Hwy. 84 in San Gregorio
Parking: Parking at the beach is free for cleanup volunteers.

San Mateo 

Cleanup Site: Seal Point Park, Bayfront Cleanup
Clean Swell App Group Name: San Mateo
Site Captain: Siliva Pa’uli, City of San Mateo | spauli@cityofsanmateo.org
Register:  Registration Form
Meetup Address: Seal Point Park, 1901 J Hart Clinton Dr., San Mateo 94401
Directions: Google Maps
Parking: Please park in Seal Point Park or on J Hart Clinton Dr. 

Cleanup Site: Foster City Lagoon - La Selva & Los Prados
Clean Swell App Group Name: Marina Lagoon
Site Captain: Rick | 650-773-9171rkscpa@gmail.com
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Near 3401 La Selva, Foster City, CA 94404
Directions: Look for the path that leads to the Bay Trail.
Parking: Street parking available.

Cleanup Site: Coyote Point Recreation Area
Clean Swell App Group Name: San Mateo County Parks
Site Captain: Stuart Smith | sgsmith@smcgov.org
Register: Complete the Registration Form & print and bring the Volunteer Agreement Form with you to the event.
Meetup Address: 1820 Coyote Point Dr., San Mateo 94401
Directions: Enter Coyote Point Park at 1701 Coyote Point Park and drive (over a mile) to the Yacht Club. 
Parking: Parking is free! Park at the Yacht Club at 1820 Coyote Point Drive. 

South San Francisco 

Cleanup Site: Colma Creek
Clean Swell App Group Name: City of SSF
Site Captain: Natasha Gutierrez, City of South San Francisco | natasha.gutierrez@ssf.net
Register: natasha.gutierrez@ssf.net 
Meetup Address: Utah Bridge, 180 Utah Avenue, South San Francisco
Directions: North on S. Airport Boulevard, right onto Utah Avenue
Parking: Park on the street near 180 Utah Avenue.

Cleanup Site: Haskins Way
Clean Swell App Group Name: SSF Blue Herons
Site Captain: City of South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department, 650-829-3837, Parks.Volunteer@SSF.net
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Haskins Way cul-de-sac at the entrance to the Bay Trail
Directions: Travel East on E. Grand Avenue. At Haskins Way turn right and travel straight until the road ends at a parking lot where the Bay Trail entrance is located.
Parking: Parking is available on site. The area is a walking trail so volunteers can walk or bike from other locations as well.

Woodside 

There are no cleanup sites in this town. If you are interested in hosting a cleanup here, please email pollutionprevention@smcgov.org or call (650) 388-2096.

Site Captain Resources

Digital Waiver (English)
Digital Waiver (Spanish)
Paper English Waiver
Paper Spanish Waiver
Digital Waiver QR Code Flyer
Site Captain Packet
Clean Swell App Flyer
How-to Pull and Filter Clean Swell App Data

Contact Us

For additional information or questions, please contact the Pollution Prevention Program at (650) 388-2096 or pollutionprevention@smcgov.org.