Volunteer and join our Montara State Beach cleanups in Montara!

About Montara State Beach:
Montara State Beach is a wide, mile-long beach just north of Montara along the San Mateo County Coast. Behind the beach are stunning sculpted sandstone cliffs making this a very photogenic spot. Montara State Beach is part of the Montara State Marine Reserve. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems.

Site Captains: Julianna, Iona & Janice!
Iona is currently a student at Design Tech High school. She is in many advocacy clubs at school. She joined the Pacific Beach Coalition’s Junior Albatross after a PBC organized beach cleanup with her school. She has lived on the coast her whole life and is a huge advocate for the ocean, environment, and animals. It pains her to see so much pollution in the world but it helps her to help educate those around her. 
Janice has lived on the coast for over 20 years and has a great passion for the ocean and the environment around her. Seeing trash anywhere and everywhere makes her very frustrated and sad. She and her family pick up trash whenever they can, especially on beaches. Knowing about PBC and their work for a while she got involved when her daughter Iona became a member of the Junior Albatross team. 

About the Cleanup:
Time: The 2nd Saturday of the month from 9 to 11am (except for April and Sept, when we do special cleanups for Earth Day and Coastal Cleanup Day). Check the online calendar to know when is the next scheduled Montara Beach Cleanup.  NOTE: Rain will cancel the event.

Where to Meet: 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

Cleanup Areas: We will clean the beach, the bluffs, the parking lots, and both sides of the road from La Costanera restaurant to the north parking lot. 

Supplies: Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own buckets and reusable gloves. Extra gloves, buckets and specific tools for this site cleanup will be provided while supplies last. The weather is changeable: make sure to bring extra layers, a hat, sunblock, water and snacks.

Litter: Expect to pick up plastic wrappers, cigarette butts, burnt pallets, other debris and recycling. We try to plan cleanups after spring and summer holidays when more trash is left.

Restrooms: There is a public restroom in the South Parking Lot – South of La Costanera restaurant.

Special Regulations:
Dogs: Dogs permitted on leash only. Use caution as there are dangerous sneaker waves, and a very strong rip current (NEVER turn your back on the ocean and watch children and pets carefully).
Pack your trash in and out. There are only two trash bins directly next to La Costanera and two in the Montara State Beach North parking lot.
Fires or BBQ grills and glass containers: Prohibited on beach.
Fireworks: Prohibited on beach.
Smoking: Prohibited on beach.

Wildlife & Habitat Protection Measures: There have been shark and Orca sightings here. Other than the obvious effect trash has on the local wildlife there are no special protections we are aware of.

Be sure to read through the Cleanup Guidelines before attending a cleanup.
More questions? Read our Beach Cleanup FAQs.

Read About the Team in Action: Check out the Montara Beach Blog.

Would You Like to Join Us? To make sure we bring the right amount of supplies, to be more efficient and conserve paper, please complete our online form. It will only take you a few seconds. Make sure to check our calendar to find out when is the next cleanup before signing up. If you checked our calendar register here!

Make a Contribution to the Cleanup:

Montara Beach Cleanup Location Map: