Do Your Part This Earth Day With Trash Cleanups, Sustainable Eats and Secondhand Shopping
From our gorgeous beaches to our lush mountains, California is full of natural beauty. Earth Day (April 22) is a day to appreciate our home, think about how we can take care of it and take action to leave it better than we found it. Grab your friends and show some love for Mother Nature this year. While Earth Day only rolls around once a year, you can incorporate these ideas and solutions throughout the year to truly better the planet. Whether it’s cleaning up trash at the beach or opting for a plant-based meal, think outside the box and read on for our favorite ways to celebrate Earth Day in Orange County every day.
🌎Earth Day Events
Surfrider Foundation’s Earth Weekend Picnic Beach Cleanup x Social Hour
If you’re looking to make an immediate impact this Earth Day, volunteer with the Surfrider Foundation to clean up our beaches! Depending on the day, volunteers can collect over 30 pounds of trash, including things like bottle caps, food wrappers and other waste that eventually ends up in the ocean. This year, the Surfrider Foundation’s South OC Chapter is hosting an Earth Weekend Picnic Beach Cleanup x Social Hour from 10-1 p.m. on April 20! Volunteers will meet at Heisler Park in Laguna Beach for the beach cleanup (all equipment is provided, including gloves, grabbers, reusable trash bags and sunscreen), and then head to the Rivian South Coast Theater for light snacks and drinks after!
Location: Laguna Beach
Earth Day at the Bay With Newport Bay Conservancy
Celebrate Earth Day at the Bay! Head over to the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center at Upper Newport Bay on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for complimentary, family-friendly fun brimming with hands-on arts, educational adventures and scientific exploration. Enjoy live music while browsing booths from their Adventure Partners, nosh on delicious bites from food trucks and win exciting prizes when participating in the scavenger hunt. Learn how to protect and preserve the planet this Earth Day in a beautiful, protected part of Newport Beach.
Location: Newport Beach
Stewardship Saturday With Crystal Cove Conservancy
For decades, the Crystal Cove Conservancy has been a nonprofit partner to Crystal Cove State Park, working to preserve the natural beauty and history of this scenic stretch of Newport Beach coastline. On April 20, from 8-11:30 a.m., locals and visitors have the opportunity to be a part of their efforts during Stewardship Saturday! Come work on habitat restoration projects where you’ll get to help with tasks like site preparation, weeding, seeding and planting.
Local Insight: For a truly unique Earth Day experience, opt for a stay at the historic Crystal Cove Beach Cottages! With roots dating back to the 1920s and ‘30s, these meticulously preserved cottages offer a glimpse into California’s past while providing unparalleled beachfront access thanks to the preservation efforts of the Crystal Cove Conservancy.
Location: Newport Beach
Earth Day at Lido House!
In partnership with Lululemon, Sol Studio, Ocean Foam, 12 Tides, Maple Organics and Mother’s Market, Lido House is hosting an Earth Day soiree (April 21)! Each ticket includes an invigorating 50-minute yogalates session led by renowned Lululemon Yoga Ambassador Veesta V., which will merge the disciplines of yoga and mat pilates. Thanks to Sol Studio, mats and props are provided; simply bring your enthusiasm and a reusable water bottle! After class, guests will be guided through a fun sustainable art project, using sustainable paper, clean watercolors and treasures from the ocean. Proceeds of this event will support the Surfrider Foundation along with Sea Trees, which is devoted to the preservation and restoration of kelp forests.
🌱Sustainable Dining Options
Farm-to-Table Dinner at Outpost Kitchen
Eating out to celebrate Earth Day? Yes, please! Outpost Kitchen, Costa Mesa’s beloved organic Aussie-inspired cafe, sources the freshed organic and biodynamic ingredients from local farms. Renowned for its commitment to California-grown produce, organic meats and sustainable seafood, Outpost Kitchen’s neighborhood charm and laid-back vibe makes it a fan favorite restaurant in Orange County. Celebrate Earth Day a day early with a healthy and fresh Sunday brunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Order an avocado and sausage skillet, the pistachio granola or an oat milk latte to embrace eating with the seasons. Outpost Kitchen also boasts a stellar dinner menu, chock-full of tasty bites like mushroom and herb focaccia, shrimp on the barbie, lamb toasties and sweet potato fritters. Snag a seat on the beautiful, umbrella-dotted patio for a celebratory Earth Day meal at sunset!
Location: Costa Mesa
Sustainable Seafood Lunch at Bear Flag Fish Co.
If you know, you know. With various locations around Orange County, Bear Flag Fish Co. is known for having the best poke in town. This mindful seafood restaurant emphasizes its commitment to sustainability by serving fresh fish caught from its own fishing boats! They believe in the importance of sustainable fishing not only for environmental reasons but also for the longevity of their business. With a desire for Bear Flag to thrive for years to come, they recognize the necessity of preserving fish populations for future generations. Order a seaweed salad and specialty poke burrito for a sustainable, ocean-friendly meal.
Location: Huntington Beach and Newport Beach
Plant-Based Meal at The Plot
Dine with the planet in mind at The Plot in Costa Mesa this Earth Day. Founders Jessica and Davin Waite remain pioneers in plant-based dining with a heart-led mission to make Southern California’s culinary scene more sustainable. This zero-waste restaurant goes the extra mile, doing their best to minimize plastic use. Anything that can’t be composted or recycled goes into a TerraCycle box (for specialized recycling). They save water from carafes to water their regenerative Plot Garden in Oceanside, and they even place zero-waste, palm oil-free candles on their tables! Stop in this Earth Day for a plant-based meal, and sample delicious dishes like carrotfish tacos and vegan “crab” cakes. Be sure to pair your meal with one of their craft beers or biodynamic wines!
Location: Costa Mesa
♻️Simple Ways to Go Green
Shop at Orange County Farmers Markets
Celebrate Earth Day every weekend by shopping local at farmers markets throughout Orange County, where the bounty of the land meets sustainability. Supporting local vendors not only ensures access to fresh, nutritious produce but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods long distances. By choosing to shop at local markets like the Corona del Mar Certified Farmers Market, Laguna Beach Certified Farmers Market, Irvine Farmers Market and more, you’ll not only prioritize your health but also demonstrate your commitment to the planet’s well-being.
Location: Various locations throughout OC
Go Electric
Ditch the gas and go electric with an Electric Moke or Vision Electric Boat Rental this Earth Day (and all summer long for that matter). With the sun out, cruise around on the bay or down the Balboa Peninsula with your best pals. By opting for electric transportation, you’re reducing carbon emissions and leaving a lighter footprint on our planet! Bonus points if you leave your car at home all day and bike over to hop in your preferred method of e-transport.
Location: Newport Beach
Free Train Rides With Metrolink
Trade your gas-fueled car for a train ride this Earth Day! Metrolink is offering free rides all day, on all trains, and we couldn’t think of a better way to save both fuel and money. By taking the train, Metrolink riders help reduce 339,329,158 miles traveled by vehicle and 130,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions annually. Plus, don’t get us started on the perks of avoiding freeway traffic…
Book an Eco-Chic Stay at Laguna Surf Lodge
Laguna Surf Lodge, recently reimagined by eco-friendly hospitality brand SCP Hotels, invites guests to experience a unique and sustainable escape. From beachfront meditation sessions to personalized tours in vintage Woodie wagons, the newly opened lodge caters to mindful travelers. SCP Hotels prioritizes sustainability year-round, and to celebrate Earth Month, they’re offering guests a chance to join their mission of ocean restoration. Booking a stay at Laguna Surf Lodge automatically enrolls guests in the “Every Stay Does Good” program, partnering with local non-profit SeaTrees to plant a kelp plant (also known as a “Sea Tree”) with each reservation.
Shop Secondhand at OC Goodwill
Shop with the earth in mind at OC Goodwill, where sustainable fashion takes center stage. By choosing thrifting and donating over fast fashion, you’ll be contributing to a more eco-conscious lifestyle. Embrace the joy of finding unique treasures and reducing waste by giving old items new life through secondhand shopping. Let your style reflect your commitment to sustainability while supporting a worthy cause.
Location: Santa Ana
Refill Home + Body Products at Fill Up Buttercup
Fill Up Buttercup is a sustainable, zero-waste refill shop full of non-toxic products. Bring your own container to stock up on quality cleaning supplies and body products this Earth Day. These non-toxic and eco-friendly products are better for you and the planet. According to National Geographic, 9% of recyclables are actually recycled, which is why the best thing we can do is reduce or reuse what we consume, and Fill Up Buttercup makes it so easy!
Location: Costa Mesa
Taylor is a graduate from the University of Southern California with a degree in journalism. She is our Los Angeles and Orange County editor. You can find her dining at a new restaurant, in the ocean or planning her next adventure. Say hello!
