Huntington Beach Bonfire Guide: Fire Pits, Rules & Reservations (2026)

Short answer: Huntington Beach has hundreds of free, first-come beach fire rings across three beaches: Huntington City Beach (127 pits between First Street and Beach Boulevard), Huntington State Beach and Bolsa Chica State Beach (close to 200 rings). Bring your own firewood, keep the fire inside the ring, skip the alcohol and glass, and be off the sand by 10 PM. If you want a guaranteed spot, the City now rents reservable fire pits just south of the Pier.

A bonfire on the sand is the most Huntington Beach thing you can do, and fall is the best time to do it. Crowds thin out after Labor Day, rings are far easier to grab, and the sun sets early enough to have a real fire before curfew. Here's everything we tell our guests before they head out with a bag of firewood and s'mores.

Where the fire rings are

Huntington City Beach (near the Pier)

The City runs 127 fire pits from south of First Street to Beach Boulevard, so they're walkable to the Pier, Main Street and Pacific City. This is the liveliest stretch, which is great for people-watching and convenient for grabbing dinner downtown first. City beach hours are 5 AM to 10 PM, and the 10 PM curfew is enforced.

Huntington State Beach (south toward Newport)

Huntington State Beach runs from Beach Boulevard south to the Santa Ana River. It has fire rings year-round, open every day from 6 AM to 10 PM, with entry gates closing at 9 PM. Rings are first come, first served unless you reserve one of the ramada picnic areas through State Parks' Special Events office. It's wide and a little calmer than the Pier area, and it's also where Darker Waves takes place in November.

Bolsa Chica State Beach (north, near Sunset Beach)

Bolsa Chica has close to 200 fire rings, open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM with gates closing at 9 PM. It's our pick for groups: there's more room between rings, parking sits right behind the sand, and the sunsets are spectacular. It's also the closest of the three to our home, about 10 minutes away.

Reserving a fire pit at City Beach

Don't want to stake out a ring at noon? The City of Huntington Beach rents a limited number of reservable fire pits near Lifeguard Towers 3 and 5, just south of the Pier (closest intersection: PCH and First Street). Here are the details from the City's reservation page:

• $200 per day, or $300 on July 4th and the Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day and Labor Day
• Includes a day-use parking pass for one car at the City Beach attended lots
• Book online at least 24 hours ahead and up to 3 months in advance
• Check-in starts at 8 AM, the person who booked must be there, and everyone leaves by 10 PM
• Fees are non-refundable, though date changes in the same calendar year may be considered
• No alcohol, smoking, glass or dogs at reserved pits

It's a nice option for a birthday, a family reunion or a summer Saturday when free rings are gone by mid-afternoon.

The rules that actually matter

• Fires go in the rings only. City code allows fires and coals only in City-provided rings. State Parks allows wood and coal in its rings only.
• Grills have rules too. On City Beach, a self-contained BBQ must sit within six feet of a fire ring with its heat source at least 18 inches above the sand. State beaches don't allow charcoal grills; propane grills are fine if they're at least 18 inches off the ground.
• No alcohol. Drinking is prohibited on City Beach and at both state beaches without a special permit.
• No glass. Glass bottles and containers aren't allowed on City Beach. Pack cans or plastic.
• No smoking. Smoking, including vaping, is banned on the beach, the Pier and Pier Plaza.
• Dogs stay home. Dogs aren't allowed on the sand at City Beach (except Dog Beach) or Huntington State Beach.
• Curfew is 10 PM. Douse the fire and pack up before then. City beach parking lots also close overnight.
• Watch for fire-danger days. Fall Santa Ana winds can bring red-flag warnings, when officials may ban open flames. Check the City or State Parks site the day of.

Parking and timing tips

State beach day-use parking at Huntington State Beach is $15 per car most of the year and $20 on summer weekends and holidays, and it's cashless. Bolsa Chica uses pay-by-QR-code parking. On summer weekends, the free rings near the Pier can be claimed by early afternoon. In fall and winter you can usually find one later in the day, especially on weekdays.

Plan around sunset. In mid-October the sun goes down around 6:20 PM. Clocks fall back on November 1, and by mid-November sunset is around 4:50 PM. That gives you a long, cozy evening by the fire before the 10 PM curfew. Bring a warm layer, since beach evenings get chilly fast once the sun drops.

What to bring

• Firewood. Rings aren't stocked, so pick up a few bundles at a grocery store on the way. Clean, dry wood burns best; skip pallets, which leave nails in the sand
• Fire starters or newspaper, and a long lighter
• S'mores supplies, hot dogs and roasting sticks
• Beach chairs or blankets, plus hoodies for after dark
• A headlamp or lantern for packing up
• Water or a sand bucket to put the fire out, and trash bags to pack out everything you brought
• A wagon or beach cart, because parking-lot-to-ring walks add up with a group

Make it a full beach day

Bonfires pair well with an afternoon on the sand. Rent bikes and ride the paved trail, which runs about 8.5 miles between Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beach. Our guide to things to do in Huntington Beach has more ideas, and families should check our Huntington Beach with kids guide.

A home base that keeps the party going

When the fire's out at 10, the night doesn't have to end. Our 4-bedroom Huntington Beach home sleeps 7 and is about 8 minutes from the sand. Head back for a game on the Brunswick Gold Crown pool table, grill a late snack on the BBQ island under the pergola, and toss the sandy hoodies in the washer. Stays can be up to 30 nights, and weekly stays get 9% off.

Quick bonfire FAQ

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