Beware, gum wrappers thrown from cars, flip flops bobbing in tide pools, and plastic bags found just about everywhere.

Because on Saturday, Californians around the state are going to beaches and waterways to pick up all the trash they find and take it to the landfill.

Saturday is the 23rd annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, when more Californians volunteer than any other day in the year in an effort to clean the state's beaches.

"It's an easy and communal way for people to achieve something that for them has a great meaning," said Eben Schwartz, outreach manager for the California Coastal Commission, which organizes the event.

Last year, more than 56,000 people volunteered and picked up nearly 1 million pounds of trash, about 10 percent of which was recycled. This year, volunteers are expected in 48 of California's 58 counties.

Officials are expecting a record-breaking year as more attention is being paid not only to all the trash in the oceans, but also to how much of that comes from deep inland.

"What we have learned over the years is the vast majority originates from inland areas urban streets, creeks and waterways," Schwartz said.

Besides cleanup efforts along Ventura County's coasts from the Rincon to Leo Carrillo State Beach work is planned in scores of inland locations where trash could flush to the ocean.

Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Simi Valley are among the 17 sites around the county scheduled for cleanup.

"Ultimately it could end up in our ocean," Schwartz said of inland trash. "And if it doesn't, it's fouling an aquatic environment that we want to take care of."

Beyond just picking up trash, Schwartz said, the day is about trying to teach people to use less and make sure it ends up in the proper place.

While people may not throw a burger wrapper out a car window, they may put it in a trash can without a lid, where it can easily blow into a nearby stream.

And maybe, one of these years, the cleanup day won't be needed.

"That idea is let's stop creating so much trash in the first place so we don't have as large a problem in the long run," Schwartz said.

To volunteer at one of the 17 cleanup sites in Ventura County, go to http://www.coast4u.org.