San Francisco Surfrider Foundation
Civic and Social OrganizationsCalifornia, United States2-10 Employees
The San Francisco Surfrider Foundation is a volunteer-run nonprofit focused on protecting the ocean, waves, and beaches in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. It operates at local, state, and federal levels, drawing on activists, researchers, and community members, and is part of the Surfrider Foundation, a network established in 1984 by surfers to guard coastlines from development and pollution. The broader Surfrider Foundation counts more than 500,000 members, 84 chapters, and 40 clubs, with the San Francisco chapter representing this mission locally. Locally, the chapter organizes beach cleanups, educational events, and other activities to protect the coastline and maintain beach access, while coordinating with the City and multiple stakeholders to address threats like sea-level rise. It invites broad participation from people dedicated to safeguarding San Francisco’s coastlines and reducing plastic pollution. In 2025, the network highlighted the Ocean Friendly Hotels Program as an example of its ongoing program expansion.