Kids' Ocean Day is funded in whole by California Coastal Commission
31st Annual Kids’ Ocean Day Adopt-A-Beach Event
For 31 years, the Kid’s Ocean Day program (formerly Adopt-a-Beach) has been a beacon of hope for our coastlines, and this year, the magic is moving to a new location! The Marine Science Institute is overjoyed to announce that we are moving our celebration to Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar) on Tuesday May 19th, 2026.
While our hearts are full of gratitude for the years spent at Ocean Beach, this move brings us closer to our homebase and deep into the community we call neighbors. We are especially excited to welcome a brand-new wave of students from Title 1 schools across the Bay Area, many of whom will be experiencing this life-changing opportunity for the very first time. By connecting these young environmental stewards to their local watersheds, we aren't just teaching science; we’re empowering a new generation to protect the outdoor spaces they love.
This coastal tradition, supported by the California Coastal Commission, joins 8,000 children across California in a unified 'call to action.' We’re still busy planning the details of this beautiful new chapter, so check back often for updates!
Links
Volunteer Opportunities
We are seeking passionate volunteers to make Kids Ocean Day a success! Help to set up aerial art, assist with kids' groups and clean up the beach, capture photos/videos, or fly drones to capture the aerial image. Volunteers are welcome to join individually, as a group, or as part of a corporate team. For more details, check out our volunteer flyer and get involved in this inspiring event!
Visit our Volunteer page for more details and to register (will update soon)
If you would like to sign up as a photography/videography volunteer or a drone pilot, please email volunteer@sfbaymsi.org
Official Project Partners
Kids’ Ocean Day is powered by partnership. Seriously… it takes a whole crew. From the folks caring for our beaches, to those supporting cleanup efforts, to the creatives helping us tell the story from above, our partners make the magic happen. We’re endlessly grateful to collaborate with such a passionate, dedicated, and all-around awesome community.
The California Coastal Commission is dedicated to protecting and enhancing California’s coast and ocean for current and future generations. Through thoughtful planning, environmental stewardship, and strong community engagement, the Commission works to ensure our coastal spaces remain accessible, healthy, and resilient. Kids’ Ocean Day is proud to partner through the Adopt-A-Beach Program, which helps inspire the next generation to care for and protect our marine and coastal ecosystems.
Pacifica Parks, Beaches & Recreation plays a vital role in maintaining and caring for the beautiful coastal spaces that make events like Kids’ Ocean Day possible. Their commitment to accessible, well-maintained parks and beaches helps create meaningful opportunities for community connection, outdoor learning, and environmental stewardship along the Pacifica coastline.
Recology Of the Coast - City of Pacifica, is a leader in resource recovery and environmental responsibility, helping communities reduce waste and care for the places they love. Through their partnership with Kids’ Ocean Day, Recology supports large-scale coastal cleanups and ensures collected materials are handled with sustainability in mind, turning impact into action for a cleaner coast.
Drones by the Bay, led by John “JJ” Johnson, brings Kids’ Ocean Day to life from above. Through stunning aerial photography and videography, JJ captures the scale, creativity, and impact of hundreds of students coming together on the beach. His work not only documents the day, but helps share its powerful message of environmental stewardship with a wider audience.
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The event has two exciting activities for the students. The first activity is a beach cleanup, which emphasizes the positive impact that each student can have on the environment. The second activity is an aerial art project. Students, teachers, and volunteers will sit in formation on the beach to form an image while a drone is piloted to capture the image from above.
For more information on Kid's Ocean Day please email programmanager@sfbaymsi.org