Keeping Mission Beach Beautiful: What One Person and an Incredible Community Did in April.
- Tony Felice
- May 14
- 2 min read
Mission Beach in San Diego is more than just a stretch of sand—it's a vibrant, beloved place where waves meet laughter, where families gather, and where memories are made. But like many popular public spaces, it’s under constant pressure from pollution, litter, and human impact. This April, one determined volunteer spent nine days cleaning the beach, removing 3,846 items alone. And on April 26th, something even more powerful happened: over 120 volunteers came together to make a massive impact.
One Month. One Community. One Mission.
Alongside solo cleanup efforts, a large-scale community event brought out over 120 passionate individuals who gave their time, energy, and heart to protect this beach we all love. Together, they helped remove 224.24 pounds of trash in a single day. The gratitude we feel for this incredible group can’t be overstated. Their willingness to show up and make a difference speaks volumes about the kind of community Mission Beach inspires.
April 26: A Day of Action and Appreciation The Trash We Collected and What it Tells Us
The Trash We Collected—and What It Tells Us
In total:
3,846 items collected in 9 cleanup days by one of our volunteers.
11 illegal fires documented
2 laundromat-worthy rugs hauled off the sand
1 camp shower removed
14 unopened liquor bottles picked up (thank you for the free liquor).
1 pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses, 1 Apple charger, 2 reusable bottles, and 1 wallet were found.
Even more concerning:
7 Liquid Nitrogen containers
1 syringe
These aren't just oddities—they’re reminders of the types of waste that harm both people and the environment.
The Complete Numbers
April 26: A Day of Action and Appreciation
Thank you to the more than 120 volunteers who came out on April 26 and picked up approximately 225 lbs of trash. Your efforts brought hope, energy, and real, tangible change. Many of you were students, some came with friends, some came alone, but every pair of hands mattered. You reminded us that when we act together, we can transform not just a beach, but the culture around how we care for it.
How You Can Keep the Momentum Going
Pack it in, pack it out: Leave no trash behind.
Join a cleanup or start your own: Every effort counts.
Educate others: Show friends and family the importance of protecting our coastlines.
Say something: Illegal fires, hazardous waste, and careless dumping need to be reported and addressed.
Mission Beach Deserves Better—And We’re Making That Happen
Whether it’s one person cleaning quietly over nine days or a wave of volunteers giving one day of service, every action adds up. The work we did in April isn’t just about picking up trash—it’s about showing up for the places we care about. Let’s carry that energy forward, into May and beyond.
Let’s keep Mission Beach beautiful—together.
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