Fire Pits and Outdoor Fireplaces in Cambria, CA

Paso Robles Landscaping designs and builds fire pits, fire tables, fire bowls and outdoor fireplaces for Cambria homes, along with the patio, seat walls, lighting and gas lines that go with them. Foggy evenings and cool marine air make a fire feature the difference between a patio that sits empty and one you use after dinner. Under the Monterey pines, that feature also has to sit on noncombustible ground with clearances that match the fire code. Call 805-712-4440 or request a free estimate.

Gas or Wood on the Coast?

• Gas. Natural gas or propane pits and tables light with a switch, make no sparks or smoke, and are the safer everyday choice near pine limbs, wood decks and close neighbors. They need a gas line or tank, a shutoff and County permits for the gas work.
• Wood. A wood fire pit gives real heat and crackle, but it needs more room. Under the California Fire Code (Section 307.4.2), recreational fires must not be held within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material, and anything that could spread fire inside that distance must be removed before lighting. Section 307.5 requires the fire to be attended, with an extinguisher, garden hose or similar on hand.
• Outdoor fireplaces. A built fireplace or chimney adds a windbreak on foggy nights. It needs a footing, a building permit and careful placement clear of branches and rooflines.

Fire-Safe Placement in Cambria

• Fuel reduction. The Cambria Fire Department's annual Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program sets the local baseline for clearing grass, dead limbs and ladder fuels. A fire pit belongs inside that maintained ground, never in tall dry grass or under hanging pine needles.
• Hazard zones. Check your parcel on the Fire Hazard Severity Zone map. Hardscape in the first five feet around the house (pavers, gravel, concrete or flagstone instead of bark) pairs well with a fire feature; see fire-safe landscaping in Cambria.
• Surfaces. We set fire features on noncombustible patios of flagstone, pavers, concrete or decomposed granite, with gravel or hardscape around them instead of mulch.
• Trees. Cambria is in the Coastal Zone. Under County Code 23.05.062, removing a tree generally needs County approval. We keep footings and gas trenches out of major root zones and plan around healthy pines instead of cutting them.

Water Limits Around the Fire Pit

Cambria's water supply is limited, and the Cambria CSD urges customers to avoid turf. Planting around a fire pit stays on drip with a weather-based controller, or we use gravel, rock and low-water natives so the water budget stays small. Rebates and tips are on the District's rebates page. Pair the fire feature with Cambria hardscape so most of the seating area does not need irrigation at all.

Designing the Seating Circle

We size the circle for your group, usually with 3 to 4 feet between the fire edge and the seats, and add seat walls so the space works without extra furniture. We tuck it out of the afternoon wind, keep it clear of overhanging limbs and add low path and step lighting. Many Cambria projects pair the fire pit with an outdoor kitchen, a pergola or a new patio.

If a pool is part of the plan, we do the master design for the whole backyard and refer you to pool builders we have done whole-yard projects with. You sign a separate contract with the pool builder, and we coordinate the schedule and build everything around the pool: decks, patios, walls, lighting, kitchen and planting.

Cost depends on gas or wood, size, finishes, seat walls, the patio and the length of the gas line. We give you a written estimate after a site visit; see our fire features and Cambria landscaping pages. Patio slabs and walks around a fire feature, built to County and CCSD rules, are on concrete flatwork in Cambria.

Nearby Areas We Serve

From Cambria we also work in Cayucos, Morro Bay, Templeton, Paso Robles and Atascadero. See every community on our San Luis Obispo County service area page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far does a wood fire pit need to be from my house in Cambria?

Under California Fire Code Section 307.4.2, recreational fires must not be held within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. We confirm current local rules for your parcel before design is final.

Is a gas fire pit a better choice in Cambria?

Often, near pines, decks and close neighbors. Gas makes no sparks or smoke and turns off with a switch. It needs a gas line or propane tank and permits for the gas work.

What surface should a fire pit sit on?

A noncombustible patio of flagstone, pavers, concrete or decomposed granite, with gravel or hardscape around it instead of bark, and clear of overhanging branches.

How does Cambria water scarcity affect the area around a fire pit?

The Cambria CSD urges customers to avoid turf. We put surrounding planting on drip or use gravel and rock so the seating area needs little or no irrigation.

How much does a fire pit cost in Cambria?

It depends on gas or wood, size, finishes, seat walls, the patio and the gas line. We give a free written estimate after a site visit.