Bolsa Chica Fire Pits

Bolsa Chica State Beach has close to 200 fire rings on the sand, and California State Parks lets you use them every day of the year from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. State Parks lists no separate fire-ring fee, and they work on a first come, first served basis, unless one is reserved with a picnic area through the Special Events office. Fires are allowed only inside the park's fire rings.

How the Fire Rings Work

California State Parks describes "close to 200 fire rings" at Bolsa Chica, open year-round, every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. State Parks lists no separate fire-ring fee; what you pay is the day-use parking fee ($15 per vehicle, $20 on summer weekends and holidays; see hours and fees).

Unless a ring is reserved as part of a picnic area, every fire ring is first come, first served. Since cars cannot enter after the gates close at 9 p.m., arrive well before dark if you want a sunset fire.

Bonfire Rules

These are the park's own rules for fires and cooking on the beach:

• Fires only in the rings. Bonfires are allowed only inside State Park fire rings.
• Wood and coal go in the rings only. You may burn coal and wood in the fire rings and nowhere else.
• No charcoal grills.
• Propane grills are fine if they stand at least 18 inches off the ground. You can set one up anywhere on the beach behind the line of lifeguard towers.
• No alcohol unless it is approved through a Special Events permit. Violators can be cited and asked to leave the park.
• No balloons or piñatas. State Parks bans them so wildlife does not mistake the pieces for food.
• Sun shelters must have at least one wall fully open, and E-Z Ups can be no bigger than 10 by 10 feet.

Reserving a Fire Ring

You cannot book a fire ring on its own. The way to guarantee one is to reserve a picnic area that comes with a fire ring through the park's Special Events department. Several do, according to the Special Events page:

• Picnic Area 18A and 18C (south of Lot 19, by the basketball courts): two picnic tables and one fire ring each; $250 a day, $350 on holidays.
• Picnic Area 12B and 12C (south end of the beach): one concrete table and one fire ring each; $100 a day, $200 on holidays.

Applications go to Special Events at least 14 days before your date. Full details on the picnic areas page.

Fire Rings and Camping

Campers do not get a fire ring with their site. The 2023 camping regulations say the park's rings on the sand are first come, first served and not included with a reservation, though campers may use a personal fire ring inside their campsite if it is raised 8 inches off the ground. See camping.

What to Bring

• Firewood or coal for the ring. Beach City Provisions, the oceanfront concession, sells bonfire supplies, according to the State Parks page (food and drink).
• Layers. For its own beach programs, park staff suggest layers and a hair tie because it can get windy.

California State Parks also links the "Buy It Where You Burn It" firewood program (firewood.ca.gov) from its Bolsa Chica page.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: a sunset fire with family or friends, s'mores after a beach day, an evening on the sand any month of the year.

Maybe skip if: you want to bring wine or beer. Alcohol is banned on the beach without a Special Events permit; the restaurants by the beach serve it.