Behind the Dunes: The Coast You Never See

167 Volunteers. 1,520 Pounds Removed. Nearly 20% of the Countywide Haul.

On September 19, 2026, something powerful happened behind the dunes in Sand City, CA.

167 people signed up to help clean a section of coastline that most people never see.

They came from across our community. Students. Families. Local businesses. Environmental organizations. Surfers. Beach lovers. Including more than 20 local paragliders and community members.

They came ready to work. And they did.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Save Our Shores’ 42nd Annual Coastal Cleanup Day brought together the power of community across volunteers across Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.

In total:

• 57 Cleanup Sites
• 1,531 volunteers
• 7,758 pounds of trash and recyclables removed

Nearly four tons in one morning. And Sand City, CA made a remarkable contribution to that total.

Our one cleanup site generated:

• 167 volunteers signed up
• Nearly 11% of the entire Coastal Cleanup Day workforce across the two counties at one cleanup.

More striking was the amount of debris we pulled from this one stretch of coastline.

More than 1,800 pounds were measured on site. Three days later, the debris was picked up and weighed at the dump at 1,520 pounds.

That final weight represents: 

• Nearly 20% of everything collected across all cleanup sites.

• One site. Nearly one-fifth of the entire countywide haul.

The difference between the on-site and final weight is worth noting. The material remained at the site for three days before final disposal, and we don't know exactly what accounts for the discrepancy. What we do know is that this cleanup exposed just how much debris can accumulate along this hidden stretch of the Sand City coast.

And the debris wasn't small.

Volunteers hauled out large, heavy, and cumbersome material from abandoned unhoused encampments, along with the everyday trash that accumulates along the dunes from the general public. Among the more unusual finds was a CO₂ tank, a massive wooden crate, and a collection of bikes, broken shopping carts, office, construction, camping equipment, patio furniture, and luggage. Just to name a few.

This is the coast you don't see from the road.

The Community Came Ready to Work

The numbers are impressive. But the people behind those numbers are the real story.

The entire CSUMB Softball team, led by Emily Montañez, came out in force. After starting the morning with yoga, the team put their energy to work carrying serious debris off the beach.

The Dune Gooneys, our local paragliding community and longtime dune stewards, brought more than 20 local pilots into the cleanup. Their unique connection to the dunes gives them a perspective few others have, and they focused their effort where the heaviest accumulation was found.

Trash Turtles brought the next generation of ocean stewards, along with much-needed cleanup supplies.

Pacific Flow Yoga helped bring some balance to the morning, giving volunteers a chance to reset mind and body.

And Alta-Cal Roofing continued their support of Sand City cleanups, helping organize the muscle, tools, and equipment needed to move some of the larger debris.

CSUMB Softball team, led by Emily Montañez

And then there were the 167 volunteers.

People who gave up part of their Saturday morning. People who got dirty. People who carried, sorted, hauled and loaded. People who simply saw a problem and decided to help.

More Than a Cleanup

Behind the Dunes was never intended to be just another beach cleanup. The goal was to expose the coast you never see. Behind the Dunes.

The Sand City dunes hide a significant accumulation of debris from public view. From the beach, volunteers have experienced it. But for much of the community, the problem remains largely invisible.

This cleanup changed that. For one morning, the hidden coast became visible. And the community response showed something equally important:

People care.

They care about the dunes. They care about the beach. They care about Monterey Bay. And when given the opportunity to do something about a problem, they will show up.

The Power of Community

Across Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, 1,531 people came together for Coastal Cleanup Day.

• In Sand City alone, 167 people answered the call.
• Nearly 11% of the entire Coastal Cleanup Day volunteer workforce came to this one site.
• And together, they removed nearly 20% of the debris collected across all cleanup locations.

Those numbers aren't just statistics. They represent thousands of hands working together for the place we love.

This is what community looks like.

Behind the Dunes showed us what is possible when volunteers, local organizations, businesses, outdoor recreation communities and environmental partners come together around a shared love for Monterey Bay.

There is still work to do. But now more people can see the problem. And more importantly, they can see the community that is willing to do something about it.

Thank you to every person who showed up, got their hands dirty, and helped take care of the Bay we love.

This was Behind the Dunes.

And this is only the beginning.

Interested in making a difference?

Visit our Volunteer Page for more information and how to apply.