On March 22, 2025 the Monterey and Sand City communities came together under clear blue skies for a meaningful day of environmental action at Del Monte Beach. With 101 volunteers, including Boy Scouts, CSUMB students, lacrosse players, Laguna Seca Raceway staff, and other groups, we joined forces to help protect our coastline in Monterey.
What really grabbed me was the enthusiasm of everyone who showed up for the Surfrider Del Monte beach cleanup. And the fact people and groups drove hours from the Bay Area was surprising to say the least. Just about everyone who showed up was happy to do so. Many stayed and helped Surfrider Impact ambassadors sort, weigh, and clean up. By the time it was all over we were ready to pack up and leave. Usually the sorting and weighing and documenting can take hours at a beach cleanup like this in Monterey.
This opportunity to serve locally in an area I care very much about cannot be overstated. Personally meeting and working with our local community while helping to protect the place we love and live is incredibly satisfying and actually, fun. Not an event like this goes by where the sense of accomplishment doesn’t go unnoticed by everyone involved.
The ocean gives us so much, a place to surf, to gather, and to reflect. Days like this Surfrider Del Monte beach cleanup are a reminder that small efforts, when combined, can make a big difference in our ocean conservation efforts in Monterey. Check out these numbers!!
The Impact in Numbers at our Monterey beach cleanup:
The Impact in Numbers: Total 561 lbs.
🚮 508 lbs. of trash removed
♻️ 53 lbs. of recycling collected
🚬 0.5 lbs. of cigarette butts cleared
🙌 101 volunteers making a difference
A Visual Story of Stewardship at Del Monte Beach
As a photographer in Monterey, my goal was to document the day of the Surfrider Del Monte beach cleanup. The gallery includes:
- Candid shots of volunteers sorting and collecting debris during the Monterey coastal cleanup.
- Group photos showing the diverse teams that participated in this Pacific Grove beach cleanup.
- Moments on the beach that highlight our shared efforts and connection to the coast during this environmental action in Monterey.
See the Full Gallery
Want to see the day unfold? Check out the full Surfrider Del Monte Beach Cleanup Gallery and witness how our community showed up for the coast at this Surfrider event.
Join the Movement for Ocean Conservation in Monterey
Feeling inspired by the Surfrider Del Monte beach cleanup? Come out to a future cleanup in the Monterey Area and beyond. Whether you’re lending a hand as a beach cleanup volunteer or organizing your group for a community cleanup in Monterey there’s a way for everyone to contribute to environmental volunteer efforts.
For businesses and organizations looking to document meaningful work in Monterey, let’s collaborate. I offer coverage that reflects the best of your business, product, and self, especially for events focused on community service and environmental responsibility. Reach out if you’d like to work together.
💙 When we take care of the ocean in Monterey, it takes care of us.
