Get out: Secrets to nabbing a fire pit

June 30th, 2008, 5:14 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Laylan Connelly, staff writer

We all sat hypnotized, our eyes gazing into the jumping fire, squinting to block out the stinging smoke that drifted our way as the breeze switched directions.

The air was filled with the smell of firewood, which crackled once in a while just to remind us it was still alive.

And when there was a lull in the smack-talking among family members, or the endlessly embarrassing stories from childhood, we’d just sit there, in a trance.

A few months back, we lit up a bonfire at a campsite at Doheny State Beach during a family barbeque. My little bro’ Jaered hooked up the grub, taking wire hangers we had straighten earlier in the day and sticking gooey marshmallows onto the tip, crisping the white puffs on the outside just enough to call it burned, then squeezing it between two graham crackers and a chunk of chocolate for the perfect S’more.

While I was with my family on this latest bonfire adventure, it’s also a great way to spend a romantic evening with a loved one, cuddled up under a blanket and the stars. (And it’s a pretty cheap date too, fellas!)

Regardless of the occasion, lighting up the fire rings at the beach is one of those annual rituals that you have to do at least once a year, just as a reminder of how lucky you are to live here.

Since traveling seems to be not on many people’s itinerary this year because of wallet-crunching gas prices, this is a great way to feel far away from home while spending time with family and friends.

Sure, your clothes might stink like smoke in the morning… but it’s totally worth it.

If you’re planning on grabbing a fire ring for the Fourth of July, plan on getting there early because most are taken by early morning hours. Fire rings at Newport and Doheny are usually nabbed by about 6 a.m. And on any given busy Saturday, most are claimed by 11 a.m. I would suggest setting something up on a nice weekday night, just to avoid the crazy crowds.
But if you are headed down for the busy holiday weekend, Huntington State Beach Marine Safety Officer Ryan Gates said beachgoers shouldn’t leave their parking spot to get wood (so bring extra bundles) or ice during busy beach days, since lots fill up and they can’t let people back in. He notes there are no saving spaces with things like chairs or bikes. They re-open lots when at least 100 spaces become available.

Also, it’s fire pit etiquette to find a different pit if someone’s belongings have been set around it, like chairs or towels. Gates said many fights start like this, and it’s best to just go find a different spot.

And if you can’t find a spot, don’t try to make a fire in the sand or spark up wood in a barbeque: fines can be up to $1,000.

Here are some places you can nab a fire ring:

Bolsa Chica: 182 fire rings.
Huntington State Beach: 180 fire rings.
Huntington City Beach: A few hundred fire pits on a 3/4 mile stretch between Beach and First Street.
Newport Beach: About 50 fire pits in Balboa and Corona del Mar.
Laguna Beach: County-run Aliso Beach has about a dozen fire rings.
Doheny State Beach: About 35 or so spots, and they are usually gone within a half hour of the park opening.
San Clemente City Beach: Four rings on the south side of the pier, fvie on the north side, stretching from North Beach to T-Street.
San Clemente State Beach: One fire ring at Riviera Beach, at tower 4

What to bring:

blankets or sweaters (can get chilly at night)
beach chair to sit on
cooler full of booze, um, I mean soda.
a friend who plays the guitar
Food: Easiest is good ol’ fashion hot dogs to cook over the fire. But last time, we got creative and brought prepared chicken skewers made with green peppers, onions and mushrooms(we brought a separate grill to put on the barbeque), and chicken to cook for tacos (bag of tortillas and homemade guacamole, kept in cooler).

Do you have a suggestion for a perfect bonfire? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.