LA County Beach Cleanup Welcomes All on Sept 19

Thousands of volunteers will gather at Dockweiler Beach on September 19, 2026, to turn a morning of teamwork into tons of trash removed from our coastline. LA County Beaches & Harbors and Heal the Bay are hosting a free, family-friendly cleanup that welcomes everyone ready to make a difference.

The cleanup runs from 9 am to noon at Dockweiler Youth Center in Playa del Rey. Volunteers can sign up now at healthebay.org/coastalcleanupday and select Dockweiler Youth Center as their cleanup site.

Organizers are making participation easy for families. Check-in happens at the Youth Center at 12505 Vista del Mar, where volunteers receive all necessary cleanup supplies. Kids 12 and under can join with an adult, and all minors need a parent or guardian to sign their waiver.

To reduce waste at the event itself, volunteers should bring a bucket, gloves, and a reusable water bottle. Organizers encourage carpooling, ride-sharing, or biking to the beach to keep the event's carbon footprint low.

Free parking is available with a printed pass that must be displayed on dashboards. Digital passes won't be accepted, so volunteers need to print their confirmation before arriving.

The Ripple Effect

Beach cleanups do more than create prettier shorelines. Every piece of plastic removed means one less threat to sea turtles, dolphins, and seabirds that mistake trash for food. When families clean beaches together, kids learn firsthand how their actions protect ocean ecosystems for generations to come.

Events like this also build community connections. Neighbors who might never meet otherwise work side by side, united by a shared goal of environmental stewardship. The momentum from one cleanup day often inspires volunteers to reduce plastic use at home and advocate for cleaner oceans year-round.

This September morning offers a powerful reminder that positive change starts with showing up.