Beach Bonfires & Fire Pits in Orange County
August 3, 2022
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.
See our guide on what to bring to a beach bonfire.
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
- Erosion has reduced the number of pits
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, volleyball, visitor center, interpretive exhibits, family programs, food service, restrooms, outdoor showers, drinking water. Alcohol is only allowed within a registered campsite, with persons 21 and older.
- Parking: Paid parking lot
- Fire Pits: Over 200 wood or coal burning fire rings; There are no grills but propane grills (must be 18″ off the ground) are allowed or put coals and wood inside the fire pit only. Grate tops to grill on the fire pit are also allowed.
- 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 campfire 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
- The sea has eroded the sand and the pits not longer exist.
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 There are about a dozen rings not far from the sing. Some have beach views and others do not.
- 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, 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 with many more recently added. Near Magnolia street fifteen more were added.
- 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. The market sells firewood and S’mores packets.
- 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 with 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: None
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: None
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: None
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
Reservation Only Fire Pits
Another option is to enjoy one of the concessions stands that have fire rings for the public to enjoy, such as Sea Legs at the Beach at Bolsa Chica, Seasalt at the Beach or the Huntington Beach House.
SeaLegs at the Beach at Bolsa Chica
Address: 17851 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92649
Beach Hours: Days/Hours vary by season, closes no later than sunset; See website for current hours.
Amenities: A beachfront concert venue with a full food and drink menu (beer, wine and mixed drinks), lounge chairs, picnic tables, plus live music and events. VIP seating areas include cabanas and fire pits by reservation only. Beach seating is first come, first serve for paying customers only.
Parking: Paid parking lot
Fire Pits: Includes VIP fire-pits, four lounge chairs and a bundle of firewood in an uncovered area. Reservations must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
Reservable Fire Pits: Yes
Seasalt at the Beach at Bolsa Chica
Address: 18751 Pacific Coast Hwy Unit #3, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Beach Hours: Days/Hours vary by season, closes no later than sunset; See website for current hours.
Amenities: SeaSalt Beachside Burger serves Santa Maria-style burger, beer, wine and drinks. Seating is first come/first serve except for the fire pits. Live music is played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. No outside food, beverages or outside furniture (umbrellas, EZ-Ups, cooler). No decor. All ages are welcome, pet friendly and no cover.
Parking: Paid parking lot
Fire Pits: Includes six Adirondack lounge chairs and firewood in an uncovered area. Fire pits must be reserved 24 hours in advance.
Pre-book Fire Pits: Yes
Address: 21601 PCH, Huntington Beach, CA 92646, Huntington State Beach
Beach Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (sunset during fall/winter months); Call ahead to confirm hours
Amenities: Beach house with a lounge and music and a restaurant serving food and drinks. Firepits with firewood, 4 lounge chairs, side tables and an umbrella can be reserved.
Reservable Fire Pits: Yes
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.
Fire Pit Rentals in Orange County
Securing fire rings 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 offer fire pit beach concierge services complete with big chairs and a “personal bonfire attendant” that brings wood and S’mores fixings.
Lost Pier Café at Aliso Beach also has portable fire rings available for rent, with the concession staff setting it up, putting lawn chairs around and lighting the “faux log” set in the propane pit.
Tips for Securing a Fire Ring
During the peak season from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 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, non-holiday weekends and colder months are easier to secure a fire ring.
- On busy holidays or hot weekends, there will be lines as soon as beach gates open at 6 a.m. with people hoping to secure a prime spot.
- 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.
- It is illegal to hold rings and sell them to willing buyers. Agencies do patrol social media for people holding and selling fire rings.