The Elkhorn Slough Coastal Cleanup invites adventurers of all experience levels to engage directly with California’s wild coast. Located in Moss Landing, this event is more than a hike—it's an active partnership with nature where every step leads you closer to understanding the delicate balance between human impact and ecological resilience. The trail is roughly 3 miles round-trip, mostly flat with gentle elevation changes that allow steady, purposeful progress through mudflats, salt marshes, and coastal scrub.

As you move along, the marshes around Elkhorn Slough come alive, daring you to notice the quicksilver flash of fish beneath the surface or the sharp cry of a harbor seal asserting its territory. The terrain varies from firm packed earth to slippery sections near tidal zones—footwear with solid grip is not optional here. The air carries a briny sharpness, crisp and infused with salt and driftwood, pressing you to breathe deeper and move intentionally.

Cleanup efforts thread the experience with a sense of fierce responsibility. Gloves and trash bags handed out at the start become extensions of your will, tools for confronting the disorder humans leave behind. You’ll find everything from tangled nets to rogue plastic fragments caught among reeds, each piece a reminder that nature here is steadfast yet vulnerable.

Time your visit early in the morning to catch the tide’s pull and avoid the heat of midday sun. Hydration is key—bring over a liter of water and dress in layers that breathe. Keep your pace measured; the slough’s currents and uneven ground demand respect. Discovery unfolds as you walk—watch for snowy egrets tipping delicately on reeds, and listen as the wind fights its way through the willows.

This cleanup isn’t just about treading lightly; it’s about stepping boldly with purpose. The trail and task draw you into a raw connection with the coastal ecosystem, where each item collected is a small victory for the environment and a lasting memory etched not in postcards, but in your own effort to keep wilderness fiercely itself.