Building a beach bonfire can be a memorable experience with friends and family or even a date night. We’ve created the perfect bonfire checklist of essentials, food and accessory ideas, fun things to do, and tips for the best bonfire experience.
Here is a list of all the beach bonfire and fire pits in Orange County, plus tips for securing a fire ring.
Beach Bonfire Checklist
Bonfire Essentials
- Firewood
- Lighter
- Starter wood, matches, lighter fluid
- Beach blankets
- Bucket (to put out hot ashes)
- Beach chairs
- Flashlights
Bonfire Food & Accessories
- Bottle opener/corkscrew
- Charcoal (if BBQing)
- Condiments (ketchup, mustard, etc.)
- Cooler/Ice Chest
- Cups, insulated cups, plastic cups, drink containers
- Cutting board and knife
- Drinks (juice, water, soda, alcohol (if allowed))
- Garbage bags
- Grilling tool(s)/utensil(s)
- Hot dogs & buns
- Hot chocolate/coffee
- Ice
- Popcorn (or buy Jiffy Pop)
- Plates, napkins, wipes and plastic utensils
- Skewers/Sticks/Metal Wires/Roasting Sticks
- S’mores (marshmallows, Graham Crackers, Hershey’s Bars)
- Snacks (chips, crackers, fruit, veggies, etc.)
- Trash bag(s)
Bonfire Extras
- Bathing suit
- Beach towel
- Beach bag
- Bug spray
- Cash
- First aid kit
- Pop-up table
- Sun glasses
- Sunscreen
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Wagon
- Warm clothes (for night)
- Wipes
Bonfire Fun Stuff
- Boogie/bodyboards, skim boards, surf boards, fins, swim goggles
- Fishing gear
- Football, beach ball, frisbee, volleyball etc.
- Games e.g. cards, dice
- Glow items
- Guitar
- Kite
- Lawn games e.g. cornhole, Spikeball, Bucketball, Ladder Ball, Kan Jam
- Magical flames
- Sand toys
- Speakers/Music player
Bonfire Cooking Surfaces
- Cooking Surfaces (optional)
- Aluminum foil (for fish, meat, veggies)
- Outdoor popcorn popper
- BBQ
- Cast-iron cooking tripod
- Dutch oven stand
- Grill grate
- Rotisserie grill and spit
- Skillet
Note: Alcohol is not allowed on any Orange County beach including at fire pits. Exceptions typically include special event permits, campsites, and restaurants with fire pits on the beach.
Beach Bonfire Tips
- Know the beach bonfire rules and regulations
- Get to the beach early before they’re all gone
- Pack light
- Clean up
- Have fun
Things to do at a Beach Bonfire
- Play lawn games
- Campfire songs
- Board games
- Scary stories
- Stargazing
- Play with sand toys
- Beach volleyball
- Throw a ball
Bonfire Cooking Tips
- Grill hot dogs on a metal wire
- Wrap fish in aluminum foil and cook over the fire
- Cook veggies and meat on a kabob stick
- Place a grill over (or on the side of) a bonfire for burgers and hot dogs
- Do the food prep at home
- Use a spray bottle to dampen flare ups
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Monique McArthur