The July 4th after-party? Cleaning up Doheny State Beach after revelers go home

Volunteers hit the sand early on Thursday to reclaim local beaches by cleaning up the debris from Fourth of July festivities.

On Independence Day, tens of thousands of people showed up along the Southern California coast, some forgetting – or intentionally leaving behind — trash, junk and random belongings.

Plenty of people went home barefoot.

A pair of sparkly flip-flops adorn with pretty bows stayed behind on the sand at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. A black pair of boy’s sandals decorated with silly eyeballs stood out.

One lonely brown Rainbow sandal — a footwear brand on the pricier side — was left behind without its match.

Giving back

For more than two decades, the Doheny Longboard Surfing Association members have gathered in the early morning of every July 5 to help clean up their beloved beach, always trashed after the hordes of visitors on the previous day.

Joining the group this year were workers from Hobie Surf Shop in Dana Point, and others who saw volunteers with gloves and bags and decided to pitch in and help.

“This club gives back to the beach … our whole theme is surfing in a clean and natural environment,” said longtime club member Shirlene Bobroff.  “We kind of put that to everything we do.”

Among the findings were big barbecue grills left abandoned on the sand, beer bottles, a swimming life vest, and a beat-up bodyboard covered in silver masking tape.

Debbie Gale even got paid for her service, finding a penny in the sand. Club member Tom Hammer did better, finding a dime.

Emmy Moreau, of Laguna Beach, heard about the clean-up on social media and decided drive down the coast to help.

“I always do clean-ups on my own, but it’s always more fun with more people,” she said.

She found foam coolers that had broken into pieces about to wash into the water.

“I tried to scoop (them) all up,” she said.

The scattered clothing on the sand was a head-scratcher.

“I don’t know what exactly happened here last night,” Moreau said with a chuckle.

She wonders if decision-makers could put up more signs asking people to dispose of their trash, or follow other cities in the push to ban single-use plastics.

“There’s so much more we could be doing,” she said.

Sand toys were a popular find, and State Parks officials said they’d clean the toys off and donate them to children in need.

For workers tasked with cleaning up the beaches, the added helping hands are a welcome relief.

“It’s incredible,” said State Parks aide Danny Anderson. “Yesterday was long enough for us; most of us worked 12 to 15 hours.”

The good news? There was less trash left on the sand this year than previous years, volunteers said.

“There were very few cigarette butts and water bottle caps,” said Gale’s husband and club president Mark Gale.

“I haven’t run into any diapers yet.”

Debbie Gale said she didn’t know if it was just because the holiday landed mid-week and the crowds were lighter, or if people are finally getting the message.

“I’d say 90 percent of the people picked up after themselves… what I can say is, thank you to 90 percent of the people,” she said. “And the other 10 percent – get on board.”