July Monterey Chapter Updates

JULY CLEANUP: THE DIRTIEST BEACH DAY OF THE YEAR

Surfrider chapters across the country host a beach cleanup on the day after Independence Day and have dubbed it the dirtiest beach day of the year due to post-holiday litter. The Monterey Chapter joined in on the campaign hosting July's cleanup at Monterey State Beach, just south of the Monterey Beach Hotel.

Surfrider Monterey 7/5 Cleanup Stats
🗑️ 196 pounds of trash
♻️ 18 pounds of recycle
🚬 ~260 cigarette butts
🙋 39 volunteers
 
National 7/5 Cleanup Stats
🗑️ 16,000+ pounds of trash
🙋 1,800 volunteers
🌊 50+ cleanup events
📍13 states

Surfrider also recently released our foundation's 2025 Beach Cleanup Report, highlighting our top pieces of trash collected and various case studies. Spoiler alert: over 300,000 pounds of trash were collected last year, which is equivalent to the weight of an adult blue whale.

JOIN OUR NEXT BEACH CLEANUP AND FREE YOGA ON AUG 22ND BY CANNERY ROW

LOCAL BLUE WATER TASK FORCE RESULTS: ALL GREEN



100% Green. 100% Clear. 0 excuses not to dive in! 🌊✨

Thanks to dry weather, our Blue Water Task Force just reported ALL GREEN test results on July 25th across all our Monterey locations! 🟢

Clean beaches don't happen by accident, and we’re keeping the momentum going with three massive ways to hang out and give back:
1️⃣ Aug 15th, Asilomar Bonfire & Membership Drive: Connect with local ocean lovers around the fire!
2️⃣ Sept 19th, Sand City Cleanup w/ Save Our Shores and the Annual Coastal Cleanup Day: Community hands making a big impact on our local shores. Our biggest beach cleanup of the entire year. We need YOU to help us break records!

Become a Friend of the Ocean today, whether you volunteer, join our email list, or sign up as a member, your support keeps our bay clean and accessible. 💙

LEARN MORE ABOUT BLUE WATER TASK FORCE

SURFRIDER
BLUE WATER IPA
POURING AT PETER B'S BREWPUB

Crafted in Monterey. Brewed for Clean Water. 

Peter B's Brewpub, inside the Portola Hotel & Spa, has once again partnered with the Surfrider Foundation Monterey Chapter to create something special, Blue Water IPA, a limited-release collaboration beer brewed to celebrate and support the blue waters that define Monterey Bay.

One dollar from every pint goes to support the efforts of Surfrider Monterey. Give it a taste before it’s gone! We made a dent in availability during our tap launch party on July 16.

RAISE A GLASS FOR CLEAN WATER

LOVE YOUR BEACH:
SUPPORT THE
CALIFORNIA COASTAL ACT

Our public beaches belong to everyone, not just the wealthy few. When the California Coastal Act was signed fifty years ago in 1976, it guaranteed free, public beach access and protected our 1,100 miles of coastline from private development. But those protections are constantly under threat by privatization efforts.

That’s why Surfrider launched the Love Your Beach Tour. From San Diego up to Humboldt County, our grassroots network hit the road to gather thousands of signed postcards to hand-deliver to Sacramento legislators.

Join the campaign by signing a postcard at our next beach cleanup or event.Our public beaches belong to everyone, not just the wealthy few. When the California Coastal Act was signed fifty years ago in 1976, it guaranteed free, public beach access and protected our 1,100 miles of coastline from private development. But those protections are constantly under threat by privatization efforts.

That’s why Surfrider launched the Love Your Beach Tour. From San Diego up to Humboldt County, our grassroots network hit the road to gather thousands of signed postcards to hand-deliver to Sacramento legislators. 

Join the campaign by signing a postcard at our next beach cleanup or event.

ASSEMBLY BILLS TO SUPPORT

AB 1448 strengthens California’s protections against expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling by prohibiting the use of existing infrastructure to support new federal offshore leases, requiring the State Lands Commission to weigh additional environmental and safety factors before renewing leases or approving transfers, and closing a gap in the state’s ban on
offshore oil drilling in state waters.  

AB 2734 updates the Whale Tail License Plate funding structure so more of the revenue generated by the plate directly supports coastal access, outdoor education, and grant programs

TAKE ACTION

MONTEREY RESIDENT MATT KOLLER HIRED TO MANAGE OFFSHORE DRILLING CAMPAIGN


In his new role as California Offshore Drilling Campaign Manager, local resident Matt Koller will lead Surfrider's campaign to prevent new offshore oil and gas development by supporting chapters, building partnerships, mobilizing advocates, and working with coastal communities across the state to protect California's ocean, waves, and beaches.

MEET MONTEREY'S MATT KOLLER

OCEAN FRIENDLY RESTAURANT:
RIO GRILL IN CARMEL

Since opening in 1983, Rio Grill has earned countless readers' choice awards and praise from food critics near and far. They are also a proud supporter of Surfrider and our Ocean Friendly Restaurant program.

With a wood-fired grill and smoker, fresh ingredients, and every dish made from scratch, it's no wonder Rio Grill is a favorite among locals. Make a reservation and see why! 

WHERE ELSE TO DINE OCEAN-FRIENDLY

SURFRIDER & JACK JOHNSON

Did you know Surfrider chapters are currently on tour with Jack Johnson? We might not be on stage, but 23 Surfrider chapters around the country are exhibiting along the SURFILMUSIC Tour, spreading the good word about ocean conservation, and celebrating one of the most anticipated coast-to-coast tours of 2026.

SURFILMUSIC TOUR

UPCOMING EVENTS

BLUE BEERS TRIVIA NIGHT
IN MONTEREY ON
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4

The beer garden that was previously Fieldwork is now under new ownership and called Out of the Barrel. Join us for our Blue Beers Trivia Night in downtown Monterey.
 
Tuesday, August 20
Out of the Barrel Taproom
560 Munras Avenue, Monterey, CA 94940
5 pm - 8 pm
Trivia starts at 6 pm
 
Bring your best team or join one.
Connect with ocean-lovers in the community
while supporting our chapter for a mini-fundraiser. 

CHECK OUT THE MONTEREY TAPLIST

SAVE THE DATE:
AUGUST 15, 2026
SURFRIDER BONFIRE



Sunset, music, postcard advocacy, pizza, dancing, and bonfire warmth with your local ocean crew. 

We’re celebrating the end of our Summer Membership Drive with a sunset bonfire, fresh pizza, cold drinks, and live beachside beats mixed by local DJs.

📍 Key Event Details 
Date & Time: Saturday, August 15 @ 7:00 PM
Location: Asilomar Beach (Just past the creek—look for the big Surfrider flag! 🚩)
Music: Beats & audio gear coordinated by David Hernandez AKA DJ Top Bunk 
Attendance: All are welcome to this event, both members and non-members of Surfrider. 
 
Become a Member and receive free pizza & merch: Donating as little as $5 online makes you an official Surfrider Member for one-year. Now's the time to renew if you signed up last year! A QR code will also be available at our table to join.  

Sign a Postcard: Our "Love Your Beach" campaign postcards will be sent to CA Senator John Laird advocating for the Coastal Act & AB 2734 for coastal access and education.

MAKE YOUR MEMBERSHIP OFFICIAL

BEACH CLEANUP & YOGA
AT CANNERY ROW (EL TORITO)
SATURDAY AUGUST 22, 2026

Join us for our August 2026 beach cleanup at Cannery Row (El Torito)!

9 AM | Free Beach Yoga
10 AM | Beach Cleanup

Beach Yoga Participants Should Bring:
🧘‍♀️🧘‍♂️ A towel or mat

Beach Cleanup Participants Should Bring:
Gloves, bucket, or reusable bag that you don't mind getting dirty. Otherwise, we're more than happy to lend you ours!

REGISTER FOR OUR CLEANUP

2026 CLEANUP SCHEDULE

Prefer more notice for planning? Save the dates for the rest of our beach cleanups in 2026. The Ocean Needs More Friends!

LOCAL BEACH CLEANUPS