Summer is a good time to sit and relax with family, or chill with friends. And when it comes to warm summer nights, nothing smells better than a BBQ on the beach. The smoke billowing through the air, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, and the thrill of laughter that comes with sitting with people you care about around a fire all make for a wonderful party. There is a certain satisfaction that comes with sitting around that bonfire, or a beach grill with hot dogs on sticks, watching them as they slowly roast while talking about upcoming plans or family trips. Getting the chance to sit and talk with friends that you have not seen in a while, and smelling the smoke from the BBQ or fire pit on your clothes and hair as you drive home, with the ocean breeze still clinging to your skin. And the endless sand that is all over the place, and you will be dumping it out of your shoes for the next week or so. And unless you are Anakin Skywalker, it is really not that bad. Not to mention that one friend or family member who likes to play with the fire and burn the left over wooden skewers. You know, the one that likes to stick them back in the fire and watch the flames devour the wood in a satisfying inferno… just so you know I am that friend.
When it comes to Long Beach and its beaches, they do not offer public fire pits. However, they have some great parks that do and they have a great view of the beach. Places like Hilltop Park, Bixby Park and Los Cerritos Park, offer BBQ pits for public use as well as being kid friendly. Hilltop Park also has one of the best views, where you can see the bridge and city light up at night. Time on the playground is also a good way to let the kids burn off some of their energy while the parents cook. Alamitos Park also offers the best of both worlds, while giving you the beach view without the beach. And of course, it has the public BBQ pits, and is a good place to have a party.
And if a beach is what you want, then there are some great beaches that come with public BBQ and fire pits for patrons to enjoy and for memories to be made – and that are not too long of a drive from Long Beach. Huntington, Sunset and Seal Beach are a few of those sandy bits of paradise. However, if you want to get a fire pit, I suggest you get there early to secure a spot. And bring plenty of wood – and maybe some metal skewers.
Sometimes, BBQ just tastes better when someone else makes it, and Long Beach is not short on BBQ places. Here are some places in the Long Beach area that offer great BBQ.
Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ is a good bet
Daniel’s Backyard BBQ, serving up some Texas style BBQ
The Corner 10ths BBQ offers slow cooked BBQ
Naples Rib Company offers a “grill your own” option with precooked meat that needs to be finished off on your own home grill.
You can also take it to one of the beaches or parks mentioned above and grill it there. The possibilities are endless.
Sura Korean BBQ & Tofu House also offers Korean BBQ – if the name did not give that away
Summer is a time to relax and spend time with family or the family that you chose for yourself. Either way a day at the beach or a park is a good way to spend it. Yes, the BBQ is nice, but ultimately it is about the people with you that makes it what it is. So go ahead and look into one of the places mentioned, make some memories of your own, wear sunscreen, and enjoy your summer.
Hilltop Park: 2351 Dawson Ave, Signal Hill, CA 90755
Bixby Park: 130 Cherry Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802
Los Cerritos Park: 3750 Del Mar Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807
Alamitos Park: 72nd Place and, E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803
