The smell of smoke in your hair, the taste of freshly roasted marshmallows, the singalongs with friends and family, summer is a great time to gather around a campfire or bonfire. Here in Los Angeles, because of our risk of wildfires, caution must always be observed but following the rules doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time. Below are some ideas for campfire and bonfire evenings in Los Angeles.

Park Campfire Events:

During the summer Santa Monica Conservancy hosts evening campfires in several local parks around Los Angeles including Franklin Canyon Park. Vista Hermosa Natural Park, and Temescal Gateway Park. These events are great fun for kids and include campfire songs, marshmallow roasting and a nature program. For more information visit: LAMountains.com.

Dockweiler Beach Fire Pits:

Per the County, no barbecues or bonfires are allowed on any of the Los Angeles County Beaches (or parking lots) except in the fire pits at Dockweiler Beach. The fire rings are open from dawn until 10 p.m. and even though there are over 50 of them they get crowded so you may have to go early to find a spot. Several beaches in Orange County and San Diego counties also allow beach bonfires–BeachCalifornia has a list of sites to try.

Campfires in Local Parks:

Campfire Permits are required for open fires, such as campfire, barbecues and portable stoves on federally controlled lands. You can obtain a printable campfire permit online. It is important to do this because some of our large fires were started from illegal campfires. The only type of fire allowed outside designated Forest Service campgrounds and picnic areas at this time is a portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel.

Restaurants with Fire Pits:

You don’t have to go rustic to enjoy a fire pit. If you don’t have a friend with a backyard firepit, fear not, many local restaurants have great fire pits. Some local favorites include A-Frame and the Rooftop on Wilshire which offers a rooftop firepit with an amazing view. Check out more ideas on this list from Citysearch.

Memorial Day marked the opening of the Los Angeles River Recreation Zone. The Los Angeles River Recreation Program runs from May 26 through September 1 from sunrise to sunset daily during safe conditions. The public can now walk, fish and kayak on two designated stretches of the Los Angeles River–the 2.5 mile Elysian Valley River Recreation Zone and the 2-mile Sepulveda Basin River Recreation Zone. Visiting the river is free but there are also private vendors who offer guided trips at each of the location.

Things you can do in the Recreation Zone:

• Hike, walk, birdwatch, take photos
• use steerable, non-motorized boats (kayaks and others, life jackets are required)
• go fishing  (with California Fish and Wildlife permit)

Things you can’t do in the Recreation Zone:

• Have fires/barbecues
• Swim
• Bring your dog or other pet
• Bicycle
• Smoke

Pedestrians are asked to walk only on the paved and rocky surfaces, and in designated areas only in order to protect protected bird habitat.Boat access to the Recreation Zone is located at MRCA-managed Rattlesnake Park at Fletcher Drive. The exit point will be downstream adjacent to MRCA-managed Steelhead Park on Oros Street.

Guided Tours: L.A. River Kayak Safari–http://www.lariverkayaksafari.org/ and L.A. River Expeditions http://lariverexpeditions.org/

Kayak Rentals: L.A. River Kayaks–http://lariverkayaks.com/

Can you give up your car for one day? Take the challenge this weekend and participate in ‘Car Free San Fernando Valley’ a collaborative event sponsored by non-profit organizations, local businesses, schools, and local government to urge people to walk, bike, carpool, or take public transit on May 4th, 2014 and explore how easy it is to use alternative transportation.

Events include early morning yoga along the LA River Greenway in Studio City, the “May The Forest Be With You” bicycle ride, and scavenger hunt.  Pledge to go car free for the day and you will be entered into a prize raffle and receive an all-day discount from participating restaurants and businesses. For more info visit www.carfreesfv.com.