No one can stop you as long as you park legally. The beaches usually close at dark but again, most beaches you can walk down at night and enjoy a bottle of wine with a small group of people.
I know there are fire pits and are first come first serve but are you allowed to bring a BBQ on the beach? No fires are allowed in the sand. Gas, propane or electric grills allowed on the sand but must be 18” off the ground. Charcoal can only be used in a concrete fire ring or on grills placed in a concrete fire ring.
On no-burn days, burning wood in fireplaces, backyard fire pits and wood stoves across the entire South Coast Air Basin are prohibited. Residents can sign up for no-burn alerts at and can also call a toll-free hotline -- (866) 966-3293 -- to learn if an alert is in effect.
5 great places to have a bonfire in Los Angeles
- Dockweiler. Dockweiler has tons of volleyball courts, hang gliding and surf fishing.
- Huntington City Beach. 200 pits that are on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Point Mugu State Park. If you're looking to have a Mother Nature-oriented staycation, Point Mugu is where you need to be.
- Leo Carrillo Beach.
- Cabrillo Beach.
What time to light your bonfire: while legally you can do this any time of day or night, it is common courtesy to plan your bonfire in a way that it finishes burning at dusk. Early morning and early evening are the best times for bonfires.
No alcohol permits will be issued for Dockweiler State Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance Beach, or Venice Beach.
“Drinking is not permitted here on the beach,” he said sternly, looking past me at the beer cans. I apologized and then he said, “So, it's up to you. I can either write you guys a ticket for drinking and you can keep the beer and just go buy cups, or you can pour all the beer out right here.”
They allow alcohol on the beach. Felt safe and enjoyable parking lot is lit and there were… Great Place to visit after a long day. This is a really nice beach with plenty of parking, bicycle paths, fire pits, lifeguards, and a gift shop on site.
The answer to your question is, yes, it is legal, but it does require some paperwork. There are different rules for collecting natural items from the beach, depending on whether it's for personal or commercial use.
here are some items that you need to remember to bring:
- Matches or a lighter.
- Starter sticks. i highly recommend these.
- Fire logs. if you don't have any, you can usually find them at a hardware store, or at grocery stores near the beach.
- BBQ lighter fluid.
- Newspaper.
- Kindling or small sticks.
- Leo Carrillo State Park. 10.3 mi. 345 reviews.
- Zuma Beach. 4.3 mi. 428 reviews.
- Point Mugu State Park. 15.0 mi. 170 reviews.
- Paradise Cove Beach. 2.1 mi. 580 reviews.
- Dockweiler State Beach. 19.6 mi. 454 reviews.
- Will Rogers State Beach. 12.5 mi. 203 reviews.
- Sycamore State Park Campground. 15.0 mi. 41 reviews.
- Palos Verdes Beach. 25.9 mi.
San Diego fire pit regulations prohibit the use of portable fire pits on beaches. Beach fires outside of designated containers are also strictly forbidden. The debris from such illegal fires can cause serious injury to beachgoers, children especially digging in the sand. Fire pits are first come, first serve.
No fires are allowed in the sand. Gas, propane or electric grills allowed on the sand but must be 18” off the ground. Charcoal can only be used in a concrete fire ring or on grills placed in a concrete fire ring. Charcoal can also be used in the onsite barbecues in picnic areas at Bolsa Chica State Beach.
Fires (including barbecues) are not allowed on any beach in Malibu. The exception is that you may have a fire in designated spots at some State beaches.
No smoking on the beach. No fires except at the Dockweiler Beach or Cabrillo Beach fire rings. Venice open from 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Fires are permitted in appropriate pits only. No fires are allowed in the sand. Gas, propane or electric grills allowed on the sand but must be 18” off the ground.
The main entrance to Dockweiler Beach is at 11999 Vista del Mar in Playa del Rey, CA. You can get there by public transit using Beach Cities Transit Line 109 which runs from Redondo Beach to LAX. Get off at the stop for Main St @ Imperial Ave.
Bonfire Party Fun
You've got the fire going and a crowd gathered around, enjoying the warm fire. Once they're done eating, there are plenty of fun activities guests can enjoy, such as traditional campfire games such as word games, telling ghost stories or sing-along campfire songs.Dockweiler Beach Activities
- Automobile Driving Museum. 610 Lairport Street, El Segundo, CA.
- Old Town Music Hall. 140 Richmond St., El Segundo, CA.
- Scooter's Jungle. 606 Hawaii St., El Segundo, CA.
- Clutter's Park.
- Ballona Wetlands. Located corner of Lincoln and Jefferson, south of Marina del Rey.
Large fires are permitted as long as wood pallets are not used. Bonfires can remain until 2130 HRS; at that time all visitors must exit the state beach. The beach entrance closes at 2100 HRS, and the state beach officially closes at 2200 HRS. Note: Huntington State Beach is for day-use only; camping is not permitted.
Fire rings and public barbecues are available near the Balboa Pier and at Corona del Mar State Beach from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. There are two piers located in Newport Beach.
Fire pits are allowed on the beach and in the Moro Campground as long as they are propane burning only. All beaches, hiking and multi-use trails, including the back-country and parking lots close at sunset, except for the Historic District and the Los Trancos parking lot, which close at 10:00 pm.
Fire rings and public barbecues are available near the Balboa Pier and at Corona del Mar State Beach from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. There are two piers located in Newport Beach.
Fire rings also line Huntington State Beach to the south and Bolsa Chica State Beach to the north. Pro tip: Arrive early to claim one during peak season, or head to either state beach to reserve a picnic area, which comes with its very own fire ring.
Salt Creek Beach, Dana Point. The long, sandy beach is a popular surfing spot. Several stairways and paths lead from the multi-use trail to the beach, changing rooms, outdoor showers, restrooms, snack bar, firepits, and a path along the seawall.
