Surfrider Foundation - California

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Surfrider Foundation - California

What's happening on California's beaches? In our oceans? With our waves? With 20 chapters defending the coast from Crescent City to San Diego – a lot!

This is where we share, distill and offer opportunities to get involved.

12/06/2026

Following a very busy earth month, California Surfrider Chapters continued to make a big impact in May through actions that ranged from picking up the tiniest plastic pellets, restoring native habitats, educating community members, to legislative action; all of which helped to protect our ocean, waves, and beaches while creating community and enjoying themselves along the way!

Catch up on May highlights from across the state through our blog 🔗 link in bio (“News and Blogs”)

30/05/2026

Join us in calling on our California leaders to support legislation that will provide rapid relief and long-term solutions for the public health emergency in the Tijuana River Valley!

Here's how:
💧Learn more about the state actions being considered in our latest blog
💧Sign and share the petition addressed to California legislators
💧Sign up for the Clean Border Water Now email list to stay up to date.

Complete them all via our blog: california.surfrider.org/blog/its-time-for-california-to-step-up-and-lead

📸 Photo by Ana Ramirez, Uptown 11 Studios

28/05/2026

Surfrider’s 2025 Beach Bacteria Hot Spots 🦠🌊

Is your beach making you sick? Surfrider’s Blue Water Task Force has identified beach bacteria hot spots across the U.S where high bacteria levels are consistently measured—putting swimmers, surfers, and families at serious risk.

3 of the 2025 beach bacteria hotspots are here in California.

Each location regularly shows dangerous levels of fecal-indicator bacteria tied to human illnesses, including gastrointestinal issues, flu-like symptoms, and serious skin conditions like MRSA and staph infections.

The Surfrider chapters testing these sites are working urgently in their communities to alert the public about these health hazards and advocate for solutions to stormwater runoff, failing sewage infrastructure, and other contributing sources of pollution.

📍 Is your beach on the list? Visit the link in bio to learn more! .

📷 Photo 2 by Kathryn Wheeler, Photo 4 by Veriditas Rising

27/05/2026

On May 1, 2026, California finalized the permanent regulations, marking the end of the regulatory process of California’s landmark Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54).

SB 54, a type of extended producer responsibility (EPR) law, requires that by 2032, single-use plastic packaging and food service ware is cut by 25%, and 100% of single-use packaging and plastic food service ware is recyclable or compostable.

If effectively implemented, SB 54 has the potential to transform the grocery shopping experience, accelerate the transition to a circular economy, and shift the financial burden of waste management from taxpayers to producers.

However, the final regulations fall short in several critical areas.

Learn more in the blog: https://california.surfrider.org/blog/single-use-plastic-packaging-law-regulations-are-finalized-but-major-loopholes-remain

Take action by asking your California state representatives to support SB 1180, an environmental justice-led bill that would provide additional guidance to state agencies on allocating mitigation funds equitably and effectively.

Surfrider California 2026 Legislation Tracker: https://california.surfrider.org/2026-legislation

24/05/2026

From Coastal Communities to Congress

In December 2025, two surfboards started traveling up and down the East and West Coasts. They weren’t on a typical surf trip, but did have an important mission: to protect our coasts and ocean from new offshore drilling.

California’s coast powers our economy. From tourism and recreation to commercial fishing and coastal hospitality, a healthy ocean supports millions of jobs and billions in economic activity across the state.

That’s why local businesses are standing up against offshore oil drilling.

In April, one of the boards traveled to DC with Surfrider staff and a group of ocean industry leaders to meet with officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and members of Congress to express unified opposition to the federal government’s plans to expand offshore oil and gas drilling in U.S. waters.

The following week, more than 180 students, surfers, local business leaders, scientists, and passionate coastal stewards from 28 states and territories met with their representatives in congress as part of Surfrider’s 10th Coastal Recreation Hill Day.

Learn more here: https://california.surfrider.org/blog/message-on-a-surfboard-protecting-our-coasts-and-ocean

22/05/2026

The California Legislature cleared a major milestone last week.

🗓On Thursday, May 14, the Assembly and Senate Appropriations Committees each held their suspense file hearings- one of the most consequential moments in the legislative calendar.

💲Bills that have been flagged for "significant fiscal impact" are parked there early in the nine-month session, then voted on all at once- without public testimony- to either advance them to the next stage of the process or let them die in committee.

⏱All this takes place in a fast-moving hearing that can make or break an entire year (or more!) of advocacy work.

Several of the bills Surfrider has engaged on were on Thursday's list.

We scored some solid wins – and also helped stop two harmful bills in their tracks!

Learn more in our blog: https://california.surfrider.org/blog/a-big-week-in-sacramento-legislative-wins-and-losses

Stay up to date by checking out our 2026 Legislation Tracker which has info on what we're following this session and is updated as bills move: https://california.surfrider.org/2026-legislation

11/05/2026

Earth Month is always one of the busiest and most impactful times of the year for Surfrider chapters, and this April was no exception 🌎

From beach cleanups and community events to statewide and federal advocacy efforts, volunteers showed up throughout the month to protect our coasts and oceans 🌊

Catch up on Earth Month highlights from across the state through our blog 🔗 link in bio!

📸 Photo of San Francisco Chapter dune restoration event by

08/05/2026

In recent weeks, beachgoers across California have reported finding sick or deceased seabirds along the beaches, which has sparked concern over the health of our ocean and our wildlife.

Research conducted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other research institutions has found that while avian influenza is impacting marine mammals in the central and northern coasts, it is not the primary driver of this seabird mortality event. Instead, starvation due to changing ocean conditions is likely the leading cause.

Surfrider chapters host events along the coast nearly every weekend, meaning we can serve as consistent eyes and ears on the shoreline, documenting changes, identifying emerging issues early, and mobilizing our community to respond in the following ways:

⚠️ Report stranded seabirds by calling your local wildlife rehabilitation facility.

⚠️ Report dead seabirds to CDFW’s Wildlife Health Laboratory using the mortality reporting form, which helps biologists monitor the event. Please include photos if possible.

⚠️ Report marine mammals: To report a dead, injured or stranded marine mammal in California, call the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region Stranding Hotline: (866) 767-6114. Information on species and regional stranding contacts may be found on the NOAA Fisheries website.

⚠️ Please DO NOT touch or collect dead, sick, or injured animals, and please DO keep your pets away from them.

🔗 Find contact info for local wildlife rescue and rehab facilities and CDFW's mortality reporting form in our blog:
https://california.surfrider.org/blog/seabird-mortality-event-along-the-california-coast

📸 Photo by Sara Heintzelman, Surfrider's Northern CA Regional Manager

07/05/2026

The Surfrider California team is still buzzing from another impactful Ocean Day! 🌊

From meaningful conversations with legislators to networking with advocates from across the state, we’re feeling energized and inspired by the collective commitment to protecting our coast and ocean.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, spoke out, and helped amplify the voice of your community. The work continues, and there will be many more opportunities to take action throughout the legislative session.

Read our blog to get the inside scoop on Ocean Day:
https://california.surfrider.org/blog/california-ocean-day-2026-a-wave-worth-celebrating-clone

25/04/2026

The fate of California’s coast will be decided in Sacramento — and you deserve to know what’s at stake 🌊

📝 We are tracking the key bills that will shape the future of our coasts and oceans in our 2026 Legislation tracker, a live hub where you can see every bill we’re tracking, what position we’ve taken, and why it matters.

With California Ocean Day around the corner, advocates from across the state are heading to Sacramento to speak up—but it doesn’t stop there. As the legislative session continues, there will be more opportunities to take action and make your voice heard.

Learn more: california.surfrider.org/news
Access the tracker: california.surfrider.org/2026-legislation

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