Cozy Coastal Nights: Top Beaches for Bonfires in LA & Orange County
It’s the ultimate combo of sunny days, starry nights, sandy beaches, and yummy s’mores! Welcome to our guide to the best beaches in LA and Orange County equipped with fire pits for a cozy coastal night.
So grab your beach chairs, blankets, and let’s explore these beachside hotspots!
Dockweiler State Beach
Location: 12000 Vista del Mar, Playa del Rey
Hours: 6am – 10pm
Parking Fee: $7-13
Number of Fire Pits: 40
About 40 fire pits are on the beach in front of the Dockweiler RV Park and the first two parking lots off the Imperial Highway entrance. All fire pits are only available on a first-come, first-served basis. You can bring your own grills or BBQs, but they must fit inside the fire pit, which is 2-feet wide. More information about the beach here and the fire pits here.
Bolsa Chica State Beach
Location: 17851 PCH, Huntington Beach
Hours: 6am-10pm
Parking Fee: $15
Number of Fire Pits: 200
Bolsa Chica State Beach has 200 fire rings are first-come, first-serve, unless reserved with a picnic area (learn about picnic reservations here). This is one of the most popular beaches in Orange County. Fire pits are usually claimed very early in the morning during peak season, so get there early! Only coal and wood may be used in the fire rings. No charcoal grills allowed (propane is ok).
Huntington City Beach
Hours: 5am-10pm
Parking Fee: $15-30
Number of Fire Pits: 127
Huntington City Beach extends 3½ miles and has 127 fire pits located south of First Street to Beach Blvd. Barbecues must be within 6′ of a fire pit and up off the sand. The beach also features an all-inclusive playground for children of all abilities. Learn more about the beach here.
Kidsguide Tip: Want to see how busy the beach is? Check out the live webcams views from the Pier and Lifeguard HQ.
Huntington State Beach
Location: 21601 PCH, Huntington Beach
Hours: 6am-10pm
Parking Fee: $15
Number of Fire Pits: 200+
Huntington State Beach extends two miles from Beach Boulevard south to the Santa Ana River (together with the Huntington City Beach, the beach is a 6-mile stretch). The state provides over 200 fire rings that are first-come, first-serve, unless reserved with a picnic area (learn about picnic reservations here). Only coal and wood may be used in the fire rings. No charcoal grills allowed (propane is ok, must be at least 18″ off the ground).
Balboa Pier & Corona del Mar State Beach
Pier Location: 1 Balboa Pier, Newport Beach
Corona del Mar State Beach: 3001 Ocean Blvd., Corona del Mar, 92625
Hours: 6am-10pm
Parking Fee: $34.10-46.75 daily rate (check rates here)
Number of Fire Pits (West of Balboa Pier):
- 8 wood burning (4 ADA access)
- 8 charcoal only
Number of Fire Pits (East of Balboa Pier):
- 7 wood burning ( 4 ADA access)
- 8 charcoal only
Number of Fire Pits (Corona del Mar State Beach):
- 16 wood burning (4 ADA access)
- 8 charcoal only
The fire rings in Newport Beach are located closer to homes, so the city has to limit the wood smoke impacts to the area. Two types of fire rings are available: green rings are charcoal only and non-painted rings are for burning clean wood or charcoal. There are also ADA accessible fire rings with concrete walkways and pads. Find beach information here and learn more about fire rings here.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
Location: 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach
Beach Hours: 6am-10pm
Public Parking Fee: $34.10-46.75 daily rate (check rates here)
Number of Fire Pits: 8 wood burning
Fire pits near the resort are open to the public. Guests staying on-site can rent a fire pit from the Marketplace and have it delivered to their campsite. Learn more about the resort’s policies here.
Crystal Cove State Beach
Location: 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast
Hours: 7am-9pm
Parking Fee: $15-20
Fire pits are allowed on the beach and in the Moro Campground as long as they are propane burning only. Charcoal and wood burning are strictly prohibited. No fires allowed in the “back-country,” which is the wilderness area on the inland-side of PCH. You can also rent a fire pit (3 hours) from The Beachcomber Cafe at Crystal Cove. Learn more about Crystal Cove’s policies here.
San Clemente Beaches
Hours: 4am-12am
Parking Fee: $1.50 per hour
There are very few fire pits in San Clemente. You can find them at the San Clemente Pier, North Beach, and T-Street Beach. Learn more about San Clemente’s beach policies here.
Categories: Blog
This post was written by Alina Na
