Here are all places where you can have a beach bonfire in Orange County. Some beaches have a few fire pits while others have hundreds but we list them all no matter how big or small.
Aliso Beach Fire Pits
- Address: 31131 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92652
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Amenities: Wood burning fire rings, food concession, tot lot, restrooms, showers.
- Parking: The parking lot is on the beach premises. There is an additional parking lot across the street from the main parking lot. This parking lot is the Aliso Inland parking lot. There is a tunnel that goes from one parking lot to the other.
- Fire Pits: 6 wood burning fire pits
- Reservations: None, first come, first served
Balboa Pier – Newport State Beach
- Address: 1 Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, CA 92661
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Amenities: Balboa pier with many shops and restaurants nearby plus the Balboa Fun Zone. There is also a boardwalk for walking, running and biking. Bike rentals shops are nearby.
- Parking: Both free and metered street parking is available but tough to find. For the West Balboa pits paid parking is available in the Balboa Pier Parking Lot and for the East Balboa fire rings paid parking is available in lot B.
- Fire Pits:
- West of the Balboa Pier Fire Pits:
- 8 wood burning, 4 designated for ADA access
- 8 charcoal only
- East of the Balboa Pier Fire Pits:
- 7 wood burning, 4 designated for ADA access
- 8 charcoal only
- West of the Balboa Pier Fire Pits:
- Reservations: None, first come, first served
Bolsa Chica State Beach Fire Pits
- Address: 17851 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92649
- (extends three miles from Warner Avenue to Seapoint Avenue along Pacific Coast Highway.)
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, gates close at 9:00 p.m.
- Amenities: Overnight campsite, RV hookups, trails, picnic areas, visitor center, interpretive exhibits, family programs, food service, restrooms, outdoor showers, drinking water
- Parking: Paid parking lot.
- Fire Pits: 200 wood burning fire rings
- Reservations: First come, first served unless reserved with a picnic area
Corona Del Mar State Beach Fire Pits
The half-mile long sandy beach is framed by cliffs and a rock jetty that forms the east entrance to Newport Harbor.
- Address: 3001 Ocean Blvd, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Amenities: Picnic areas, food service, outdoor showers, drinking water, hiking trails
- Parking: Paid parking is available in the Corona del Mar Main Beach lot.
- Fire Pits:
- 16 wood burning, four designated for ADA access
- 8 charcoal only
- Reservations: None, first come, first served
Crystal Cove State Beach Fire Pits
The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove
- Address: 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, 92657
- Beach Hours: Sun – Thu – 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri – Sat – 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Amenities: Restaurant, bar, beach rentals including S’mores and grilling packages, beach concierge, express shack, hiking trails, tide pools
- Parking: Paid parking with validation available is at located on the east side of Pacific Coast Highway in the Los Trancos lot. There is a Beachcomber Shuttle at the Shuttle Stop.
- Fire Pits: Grill ‘N Glow fire pits and barbecues
- Reservations: Online reservations only
Dana Point – Capistrano Beach Fire Pits (Removed)
- Address: 35005 Beach Road, Capo Beach, CA 92675
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Doheny State Beach – Dana Point
- Address: 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Amenities: Campgrounds, campsites, RV utilities, hiking and biking trails, historical/cultural site, learning center, exhibits, programs, fishing, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, butterfly garden, family programs, food service, restrooms, showers, outdoor showers, drinking water, wheelchair accessible.
- Parking: Paid parking lots
- Fire Pits: Each picnic area has one large fire ring, one large B.B.Q. grill and some picnic areas have sinks, counters, cold drink bins, and electrical outlets
- Reservations: Reservation of a picnic area is required.
Huntington Beach Pier
- Address: First St. and Pacific Coast Highway; Huntington Beach, CA 92648
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Amenities: Pier, Ruby’s diner at end of pier, Pacific City, many hotels, shops, restaurants and bars.
- Parking: Many paid parking options, some street parking
- Fire Pits: Over 100 concrete fire pits
- Reservations: None, first come, first served
The Waterfront Beach Resort and The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach offer beach bonfire packages including firewood, chairs, blankets, S’mores, hot chocolate, and even pizza delivery.
Huntington State Beach Fire Pits
- Address: 21601 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, gates close at 9 p.m.
- Amenities: Hiking and biking trails, interpretive exhibits, nature and wildlife areas, family programs, food service, restrooms, drinking water, wheelchair accessible
- Parking: Paid parking in a very large parking lot
- Fire Pits: Over 200 concrete fire rings
- Reservations: None, first come, first served
Newport Dunes Fire Pits
Newport Dunes is located on a resort but the fire pits are open to the public. You can also bring or rent a portable fire pit from the Marketplace to have at your RV site or Beach Cottage but not on the beach.
- Address: 1131 Back Bay Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Amenities: 110-acre recreation resorts with an inflatable water park, watersport, golf cart, bike rentals, playground, lagoon, activities, nature tours, movies on the beach, fireworks, luaus, restaurant, marketplace
- Parking: There is a paid parking lot and free parking on the street at the entrance to the resort.
- Fire Pits: 8 wood burning
- Reservations: None, first come, first served
San Clemente City Beaches
San Clemente has only 8 fire pits located on three city beaches, North Beach, T Street and the San Clemente Pier. The city does allow fires that are off of the sand and are self contained barbeques or fire pits.
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Fire Pits: 8 wood burning rings
- Reservations: None, first come, first served
North Beach: N El Camino Real and Avenida Estacion, San Clemente, CA 92672
San Clemente Pier: Del Mar Street, San Clemente, CA 92672
T Street Beach: 339 W Paseo De Cristobal, San Clemente, CA 92672
San Clemente State Beach Fire Pits
San Clemente State Beach is located at the south end of the city of San Clemente, California.
- Address: 225W. Calafia Ave, San Clemente, CA, 92672
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Amenities: Camping, RV sites w hookups and dump station, hiking and biking trails, historical/cultural site, picnic areas, learning center, wildlife, family programs, restrooms/showers, outdoor showers, drinking water
- Parking: Paid parking lot
- Fire Pits: Campground fire pits only, fires are allowed only in established fire rings. Fires are not allowed on beaches.
- Reservations:
San Onofre State Beach Fire Pits
There are three beaches with fire pits but only San Onofre Surf Beach has fire pits on the beach.
San Onofre Bluffs
- Address: 5200 S. Pacific Coast Hwy, San Clemente, CA, 92672
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Amenities: All campsites include a fire pit and picnic table. The campground offers cold outdoor showers and chemical toilets. No RV hookups are available, however, there is a RV dump-station.
- Parking: Paid parking lot
- Fire Pits: Campground fire pits only, fires are allowed only in established fire rings. Fires are not allowed on beaches.
- Reservations:
San Onofre – San Mateo Campground
- Address: 830 Cristianitos, San Clemente, CA, 92672
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Amenities: All campsites include a fire pit and picnic table. RV Hookup sites are available with electricity and water. Other amenities include a dump-station, hot indoor showers, and flush toilets.
- Parking: Paid parking lot
- Fire Pits: Campground fire pits only, fires are allowed only in established fire rings. Fires are not allowed on beaches.
- Reservations:
San Onofre Surf Beach (Old Man’s)
- Address: Old Pacific Highway and Beach Club Road San Clemente, CA 92672
- Beach Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Amenities: Volleyball, fishing, bonfires, restrooms, outdoor showers
- Parking: Paid parking lot
- Fire Pits: 5 concrete fire rings
- Reservations: None, first come, first served
Fire Pit Rentals in Orange County
Securing fire ring in Orange County can be tough especially during peak season. Your best option to guarantee a fire pit is by reserving one or hiring a beach butler. Here are the places in Orange County where you can reserve a fire pit.
- Crystal Cove
- Bolsa Chica State Beach
- San Clemente State Beach Campgrounds (not on beach)
The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel and The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa’s offer fire pit beach concierge services.
Tips for Securing a Fire Ring
During the peak season from Memorial Day to Labor fire rings can be difficult to secure. People are known to arrive when the beaches open just to get their favorite fire ring spot. Here are some tips for getting your own fire ring.
- One person can get there in the morning and secure. Take turns saving the fire ring throughout the day.
- Never leave the ring unattended. People have been known to remove belongings and claim the fire pit leading to potential altercations. Many pits state “Must be present to hold.”
- The fewer the fire rings the earlier you should be there to get one.
- Weekdays are easier to secure a fire ring.
- Take turns during the day holding your pit.
- Share the rings, with two or more groups sitting near the flames. Never hurts to ask a group if they’ll share.
Beach Bonfire Checklist
Here’s our list of what to bring to a bonfire:
- Food & Accessories
- Bottle opener/corkscrew
- Charcoal (if BBQing)
- Condiments (ketchup, mustard, etc.)
- Cooler/Chest
- Cups, insulated cups, plastic cups
- Cutting board and knife
- Drinks (juice, water, soda, alcohol (if allowed))
- Hot dogs & buns
- Hot chocolate/coffee
- Ice
- Plates, napkins, wipes and plastic utensils
- Skewers
- S’mores (marshmallow, Graham Crackers, Hershey’s Bars)
- Snacks (chips, crackers, fruit, veggies, etc.)
- Trash bag(s)
- Bonfire Essentials
- Beach blankets
- Bucket (to put out hot ashes)
- Beach chairs
- Flashlights
- Firewood
- Lighter
- Starter wood, matches, lighter fluid
- Extras
- Bathing suit
- Beach bag
- Bug Spray
- Cash
- First aid kit
- Sun glasses
- Suncreen
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Wagon
- Warm clothes (for night)
- Fun Stuff
- Boogie or surf boards, fins, swim goggles
- Fishing gear
- Football, beach ball, frisbee etc.
- Games (e.g. cards)
- Glow items
- Kite
- Magical flames
- Music player
- Sand toys