This morning, Doheny State Beach looks like one big trash can was dumped on the sand.

That’s how Christina Mora of Dana Point described the aftermath of the Fourth of July this morning, as she joined the Doheny Longboard Surfing Association with their annual clean up.

Mora was joined by her son Nick, 10, on the sand at Doheny, along with others who showed up early morning to help maintenance crews clean up.

“When you get a crowd like you did yesterday, usually there’s not enough resources to clean up after the crowds,” she said.

As always after the Fourth, trash cans were filled to the brim, and birds enjoyed the feast. 

The surfing group started the tradition of cleaning up here about a decade ago. Maintenance crews and volunteers typically use hundreds of bags to pick up the debris.

Mark Calkins, a board member with the association, said the area is also a wildlife preserve, and the junk that is washed out into the ocean can be dangerous not only for surfers, but the wildlife as well.

“You want to live and enjoy a pristine place,” he said.

Among the findings were the typical items: Styrofoam, cups and cigarette butts.  There were also some beach balls and shoes left behind.

Daize Shayne, who runs nearby Surf With Daize surf school, got her students off the waves and brought them out to the sand.

“Every week we have one lesson of gratitude. This is a good day for that, because there’s a lot of stuff out here,” she said. 

Hailey Brower, 7, didn’t seem to mind.

“We feel very good helping the Earth,” she said.

To see a video of the clean up, click here.

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