Join us for the 42nd Annual Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 19 from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and all month long!
Please note: cleanup times may vary by location. 

This event is a great opportunity for families, friends, community groups, and schools to come together to remove plastic pollution from neighborhoods, parks, creeks, and beaches. Together, we can protect wildlife, our health, and our environment.

Sign up for Coastal Cleanup Day 2026 reminder emails to stay updated about this and future events.

San Mateo County Environmental Health Services coordinates the event in partnership with the California Coastal Commission, the Ocean Conservancy, and many local partners.

Self-led Neighborhood Cleanup – All September Long

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

Interested in hosting a school cleanup? 

If you are a teacher or principal looking to participate in a schoolwide or classroom cleanup in San Mateo County, please complete a short Google Form to request materials like gloves, bags, data cards, and promotional posters. 

Check out the California Coastal Commission’s Schoolyard Cleanup page for pre-cleanup, during, and after-cleanup lessons.  

2026 Coastal Cleanup Day Locations

There are many 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’ll receive a copy of your waiver by email once complete. Save this email to show to your site captain or print and sign a waiver and bring it with you to the cleanup. 

3. Or print and sign a waiver and bring it with you to the cleanup:
English Waiver | Spanish Waiver | Chinese 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 
Clean Swell App Group Name: Belmont Barracudas
Site Captain: Julie Freitas, City of Belmont | jfreitas@belmont.gov | 650-595-7425
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Belmont City Hall 1 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont
Directions: Coming soon!
Parking: Park at City Hall

Brisbane 

Cleanup Site: Brisbane Marina 
Clean Swell App Group Name: City of Brisbane
Site Captain: Adrienne Etherton, City of Brisbane | Sustainabilityfellow@brisbaneca.org
Register: Registration & Liability Form
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: Noah Craney, City of Burlingame | 650-438-5514 | ncraney@burlingame.org
Register: Registration Form
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: Free parking at the Anza Lagoon Parking Lot behind the Embassy Suites (150 Anza Blvd. Burlingame, CA)

Colma 

There are no confirmed 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 

Cleanup Site: Thornton Vista
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Thornton
Site Captain: Cynthia and Rick,  Pacific Beach Coalition | info@pacificbeachcoalition.org
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. 

Cleanup Site: Mussel Rock
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Mussel Rock
Site Captain: Helen Nicely and Chris Burr, Pacific Beach Coalition | info@pacificbeachcoalition.org
Register: Registration Form
Address: Mussel Rock Open Space Parking Lot, Daly City 
Directions: Google Maps. 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: Paola Bueno | paola@grassrootsecology.org Grassroots Ecology
Register: paola@grassrootsecology.org
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: Claire and Taletha, Sea Hugger | claire@seahuger.com
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. 

Foster City 

Cleanup Site: Baywinds Park
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Foster City
Site Captains: Pacific Beach Coalition | 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. 

Half Moon Bay 

Cleanup Site: Don Horsley Park 
Clean Swell App Group Name: Tunitas Creek Beach
Site Captain: Stuart Smith
Register: Coming soon!
Meetup Address:  Tunitas Creek Beach 20775 Cabrillo Highway South Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Directions: Coming soon!  
Parking: Exit safely from the highway and into the parking lot

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: skealey@coastside.net
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 | info@pacificbeachcoalition.org 
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: Poplar Beach
Clean Swell App Group Name: Surfrider San Mateo 
Site Captain: Surfrider San Mateo Chapter | volunteercoordinator@smc.surfrider.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 pass will be provided to volunteers.  

Cleanup Site: Venice Beach 
Clean Swell App Group Name: Coastside Land Trust 
Site Captain: Leah Henning and Sara Polgar
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Google Maps
Directions:  Located at the end of Venice Boulevard, about two miles north of Francis Beach on Highway 1.
Parking: Parking available 

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 

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

Millbrae

Cleanup Site: Central Park
Site Captain: Cliff Ly, City of Millbrae
Register: Registration Form 
Meetup Address: Central Park – along Palm Avenue, intersected by Lansdale Avenue
Directions: 
From 280 North: Take Millbrae Avenue exit and head east (turn right) onto Millbrae Avenue. Turn left onto Palm Avenue. Park will be on the left. 
From 280 South: Take Larkspur Drive exit and head west (left) towards Larkspur Drive. Turn right onto Helen Drive. Turn right onto Laurel Avenue. Turn left onto Richmond Drive. Turn right onto Palm Avenue. Park will be on the right.
From 101: Take Millbrae Avenue exit and head east towards Millbrae Avenue. Turn Right on Palm Avenue. Park will be on the left.
Parking: Some parking available along Palm and Lansdale Ave., additional parking on Richmond Dr.

Cleanup Site: Bayfront Park (limited spots available)
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

Cleanup Site: Montara State Beach
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Montara
Site Captain: Janice and Iona, 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.   
Directions: Google Maps 
Parking: Free parking. Two lots north of the building and one south of the building.

Pacifica 

Cleanup Site: Esplanade
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Esplanade
Site Captain: Gail & Brittaney, 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.

Cleanup Site: Linda Mar Beach
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Linda Mar
Site Captain: Jim, Ana, and Robin, Pacific Beach Coalition | info@pacificbeachcoalition.org 
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Surfer Lot just north of Taco Bell on Hwy 1
Directions: Google Maps. 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.

Cleanup Site: Rockaway Beach
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – Rockaway
Site Captain: Sara, Vilka, Nicole, Susan, 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.

Cleanup Site: San Pedro Creek
Clean Swell App Group Name: PBC – San Pedro
Site Captain: Jacqueline,  Pacific Beach Coalition | info@pacificbeachcoalition.org
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Google Maps. 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.

Cleanup Site: Sharp Park
Clean Swell App Group Name:  PBC – Sharp Park
Site Captain:  Deirdre, Pauline, Binh, Pacific Beach Coalition | info@pacificbeachcoalition.org
Register: Registration Form
Meetup Address: Google Maps. Corner of Beach Blvd and Clarendon Ave, Pacifica 94044
Directions: Meet where the dirt levee begins. 
Parking: Free street parking.

Pescadero

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.

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.org | 650-780-7472
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.

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 Center | sgerc@sanmateo.org | 650-268-4295 
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: Ryan Nahe, City of San Mateo | rnahe@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. 

South San Francisco 

Cleanup Site: Colma Creek
Clean Swell App Group Name: City of SSF
Site Captain: Gianna LaRocca, City of South San Francisco | gianna.larocca@ssfca.gov
Register: Registration Form
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: Parks.Volunteer@SSF.net
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: Limited Parking is available at the site. Carpooling is preferable.

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 Waivers (via DocuSign) 
English Waiver | Spanish Waiver

Paper Waivers (for printing) 
English Waiver | Spanish Waiver | Chinese Waiver

Digital Waiver QR Code Flyer - Coming soon! 
Promotional Toolkit - Coming soon! 
Site Captain Packet - Coming soon! 
How-to Pull and Filter Clean Swell App Data
Clean Swell App Flyer

Review results and images from Coastal Cleanup 2025.

Contact Us

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