Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization that aims to protect beaches, oceans and waves. The office of the Santa Cruz chapter is run by volunteers, and is does not receive the public. Visitors can call or contact [email protected] to participate in local monthly meetings and actions, such as beach clean-ups, water testing, educational events and fundraising. Surfrider has some 60 chapters along the US and Puerto Rican coasts, and around 40,000 US members.
Located on top of Mission Hill, the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park features the last remaining structure of 12th California Mission, built in 1791. Guided tours are provided of the mission and the park features patios, gardens and a view of the city.
Save Our Shores was formed in the late 1970s to combat the placement of offshore oil rigs along the Central Coast. The group of volunteers works tirelessly to protect and preserve the coastline of Central California. It also coordinates annual beach cleanups that draw thousands of volunteers.
CALPIRG (California Public Interest Research Group) is an organization of primarily volunteers that fights for the rights and protection of all Californians. The downtown office shares a building with the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History. CALPIRG workers can frequently be found in the courtyard training new volunteers. The organization works on legal and political issues involving food safety, health care and prescription drugs,budget reform and transportation.