Expert: Steve Summers - 4/2/2004

Question
I'm currently a senior in high school and I want to throw a big beach party for all the seniors. I need to find a beach that has lots of space, fierpits, closes a little late, and close to the L.A. and Orange County area. I want it to be a party that the class of 2004 will never forget. I hope I gave you enough info.
                                     Sarena

Answer
Hi Sarena,

The best two beaches for parties are Little Corona and Bolsa Chica. Of the two, I prefer Bolsa Chica because Corona Del Mar has a small parking lot.

Bolsa Chica has a nice, wide, sandy beach, and I have had parties there before. If you get some people there in the morning, you can set up all of your stuff and stake our your territory and fire pit(s). When we've had parties there, I just backed my truck right up to the bike path, and taken our stuff out to the sand. We started our coals about an hour before lunch, and had no problem feeding everyone. We actually left "early" around 9 PM, and most other people were still in full swing. I believe that they close the inbound gate at 9 PM, but people stay out there much later.

Here is the number for gSpecial Events/Group Picnic Reservations: 714-377-9422. You can also see the web site at http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=642

Party Hearty,

Steve