Beach Bonfires and Fire Rings in California
Beach fires in California are allowed only at certain beaches, and almost always only inside a provided fire ring or pit. Here is what each Dockya beach page says, from San Diego's fire containers to propane-only beaches and no-fire beaches.
Updated October 8, 2026
Most California beaches that allow fires allow them only inside a provided fire ring or pit, often with set hours and fuel rules. Many popular beaches ban fires completely. Below is every beach in Dockya's directory whose page covers fires, grouped by what that page says.
Fire rings and pits
San Diego
- Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and La Jolla Shores: City rules allow fires only inside fire containers, and never between midnight and 5 a.m. La Jolla Shores' page adds: burn only wood, charcoal or paper.
- Fiesta Island: fires only in the City fire rings along the shoreline, first come, first served; no portable fire containers or sand fires. Ski Beach also has City fire rings.
- Coronado Beach: at North and Central Beaches, charcoal and clean wood inside City fire rings, no more than 12 inches above the rim. Since July 3, 2025, South Beach allows only propane-fueled fire devices. No fires 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.
- Moonlight Beach: fires only in the fire rings, which are first-come and can't be reserved; no sky lanterns.
- Oceanside Harbor Beach: the page lists fire pits, mostly near the North Jetty.
Orange County and Los Angeles
- Huntington City Beach: 127 fire pits between First Street and Beach Boulevard; barbecues must be within 6 feet of a fire pit.
- Corona del Mar State Beach and Balboa Pier: Newport Beach's only public fire rings, first-come during beach hours (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Portable barbecues aren't allowed on City beaches, including Newport Pier.
- Doheny State Beach: fire rings in campsites and at South Day-Use picnic sites.
- Dockweiler State Beach: about 40 County fire pits, first-come, no reservations; bring your own wood or charcoal. Grills must fit inside the 2-foot pit, and there are no fires on the open sand.
Santa Barbara and San Francisco
- Carpinteria and Refugio state beaches: fires only in established fire rings or camp stoves, never on the beach.
- Ocean Beach, San Francisco: March 1 to October 31 only, in the fire rings between Stairwells 15 and 20; no fires on Spare the Air days.
- Muir Beach: six rings from May to November and three from December to April, first-come; fires from 9 a.m., put out with water only, and leave by one hour after sunset.
Conflicting information: confirm with the agency
- Aliso Beach: the County lists fire rings, but the City of Laguna Beach says fires are banned at all Laguna beaches. Confirm with OC Parks before planning a fire.
- Imperial Beach: City regulations say beach fires are unlawful unless contained in a City-provided fire ring, but the City's beach FAQ says bonfires aren't permitted. Confirm with the City.
Propane or gas only
- Carmel Beach: wood fires, bonfires and charcoal are banned; UL-listed propane devices only, south of 10th Avenue to Martin Way.
- Avila Beach: no bonfires or campfires; small gas or propane barbecues with on/off controls are allowed.
- Santa Cruz Main Beach: no campfires and no coal barbecues; propane or butane grills on raised legs are allowed.
- Crystal Cove: no fires on the sand; gas barbecues only.
- Tahoe: Kings Beach and Sugar Pine Point ban charcoal and wood fires but allow gas camp stoves; Pope Beach, Baldwin Beach and Kiva Beach ban solid-fuel fires and allow portable stoves only with a valid permit.
No beach fires
- LA County: Venice, Manhattan Beach and Zuma.
- Orange County: Laguna Main Beach; Salt Creek bans personal barbecues on the sand.
- Central Coast: San Buenaventura, Natural Bridges, Cayucos and Morro Bay City beaches.
- Bay Area: Half Moon Bay State Beach, Crissy Field East Beach, Stinson and Baker Beach.
- Tahoe: Commons Beach.
This guide is general information, not legal advice; rules change, so check the linked pages and posted signs.