SeeCalifornia.com

Photo: Beach bonfire pits at Bolsa Chica State Beach.

Better start saving your dollars. The most popular beaches and state parks are jacking up the admission fees for your day or evening at the beach. California State Parks (parks.ca.gov)  received a bitter pill when told they’d have to cut expenses or close some parks beginning this July. Their latest idea to raise money is to raise fees. The annual parks pass which doesn’t even work at some of the state parks is going up $70 from $125 to $195. Approx. 65,000 passes have been sold annually in recent years, mostly in Southern California.

Beach bonfires are free once you get to a sandy beach, but the firewood bundle also has gone up. You used to be able to buy it for around $4.95 and it lasted nearly an hour. Now the same bundle costs between $5.95 and $10.  Hot dogs are still a deal however, especially if you buy them at Trader Joe’s or Costco, and you can get cheap hot dog buns at the 99Cent Store if you have one nearby.  Note: Be sure to check before you head to your favorite beach bonfire spot. Places such as Newport Beach in Southern California city council members voted to yank all their bonfire pits and those firerings may be gone. This is happening throughout California so it’s best to call before you head out!