The time has finally come for Californians to celebrate what makes this beautiful state so unique: 840 miles of coastline. For the beginning of the fall season, Californians up and down the coast are invited to participate in COASTWEEKS: a three-week event sponsored by the California Coastal Commission from September 19-October 11.

 

The celebration started with California Coastal Cleanup Day on September 19. A fall tradition since 1985, the event has garnered the participation of over 800,000 Californians to remove over 13 million pounds of debris from the California shoreline. This year, the state counted 66,550 volunteers who picked up a total 909,294 pounds of both trash and recyclable materials from their local California beaches (2009 Preliminary Press Release). For those Californians not near a beach (like myself), Whole Foods launched an all-day shopping fundraiser that donated five percent of its sales on September 22 to the coastal cleanup cause.

 

If you missed it, not to worry: there are more events to come, and there seems to be something for everybody. Today, Monterey County hosts a lecture by Nicole Thometz, PhD student from the University of California, on the challenges facing the survival of the younger sea otter population as part of Sea Otter Awareness Week. On Wednesday, September 30, San Francisco County will host three events celebrating its natural gardens: Presidio Park Stewards Work Day as well as activities at the Presidio Native Plant Nursery and Alcatraz Gardens.   

 

This Saturday especially, make sure to check out the list of events at a California beach near you. Options include Spirit Creek Day in Sonoma County, a sunset/full moon walk to the Point Bonita Lighthouse in Marin County and a Laguna Beach cleanup for those down south. Kick off the fall season by reconnecting with California's coastline -- there's plenty of coast to go around. For a full list of events, visit the COASTWEEKS event calendar.