Wood-burning
The crackle and the smell are the point. It cannot be used on Spare the Air alert days, and firewood should be stored away from the house.
Fire pits & outdoor living
Fire pits and outdoor living in Menlo Park and across the Bay Area.
Add a fire pit, seating area or a bigger patio footprint, so the yard works after dark too.
Fire pit pads Seating areas Patio extensions
The yard after dark
A place to gather when the sun goes down.
A fire pit changes how you use a yard. The surface under and around it matters most: it should be firm, level and made of something that will not burn. A paver or concrete pad over a compacted base does that job, and it looks good doing it.
We build the pad, the seating area around it and the patio it connects to, so the whole space flows. Start with a pit and a ring of seats, or add a larger footprint to an existing patio.
- Fire pit pads and surrounds
- Seating areas around the fire
- Patio extensions that connect to what you have
- Borders and details that tie it together
Fire Pits & Outdoor LivingMenlo Park, CA · Bay Area wide
How it is built
How we build an outdoor living area.
We plan the layout around the fire first, then the seating and the paths.
- Step 1
Pick the spot
We look at where the fire pit can sit safely, away from the house, fences, sheds and overhanging branches, and where the smoke and the seating will work best.
- Step 2
Mark the layout
We lay out the pit, the seating area and any paths or patio extensions so you can see the space on the ground before we dig.
- Step 3
Build the base
The area is excavated and built up with a compacted rock base, the same way as a paver patio. For foot-traffic paving on well-drained soil, the CMHA minimum is 4 inches.
- Step 4
Set the surface
Pavers or concrete go down level and firm, with a layout that frames the pit. The pad around the fire is built from non-combustible material.
- Step 5
Finish with borders and details
Edges, borders and joint sand finish the surface, and we clean up the site.
The details
Know the rules before you light it.
Wood smoke is regulated in the Bay Area. Check the Air District and your fire district before you plan a wood-burning pit.
Spare the Air daysNo wood firesThe Bay Area Air District says outdoor fire pits are among the wood-burning devices that are illegal to use on a Spare the Air alert day.
Alert threshold25 µg/m³In October 2025 the Air District lowered the forecast fine-particle level that triggers a Spare the Air alert, from 35 to 25.
Gas pitsCheck firstAir District FAQs say gas and electric heating devices are not covered by burn bans. Confirm gas fire pits with the Air District.
Fire districtAsk about distanceYour fire district sets rules for how far a fire pit must sit from structures.
Wood or gas
Choosing a fire pit style.
Gas
Starts with a switch and stops the same way. A gas line is its own job with its own rules and permits, so it is separate from the pad and surround we build.
Pad, ring or sunken
A level pad with seats around it is the simplest. A sunken fire pit area is a bigger project that works well on a sloping yard.
Photos
Fire pits and outdoor living, for ideas.
Stock photos for inspiration. Tap one to see it larger, then ask us what is possible in your yard.
Afterward
Using a fire pit safely.
Keep clear
Keep the fire pit well away from the house, fences, sheds and low branches, and never leave it unattended.
Check the day
Look up the Spare the Air status before you light a wood fire.
Surface matters
Set a fire pit on a firm, level, non-combustible surface like pavers or concrete, not on grass or a wood deck.
Related services
Often built together.
Most yards need more than one trade. These pair well with this one.
PaversPaver patios
A paver patio gives you a flat, tough spot for dining, grilling and hanging out. We lay out the shape, build a compacted base, set the pavers and lock them in.
See details
PaversPaver walkways and steps
Walkways and steps that feel good underfoot and stay easy to keep clean. Straight, curved or stepped to follow the lay of your yard.
See details
ConcreteConcrete patios and walkways
Flat, smooth and built to last. Concrete patios, walkways, pads and slabs poured and finished to the shape you need.
See detailsWhere we work
We build fire pits and outdoor living across the Bay Area.
Based in Menlo Park, working in 20 Bay Area cities. Pick yours to see what we build there.
Questions
Fire pits and outdoor living: questions, answered.
Can I use a wood-burning fire pit on a Spare the Air day?
No. The Bay Area Air District says it is illegal to use wood-burning devices, including outdoor fire pits, on a Spare the Air alert day. You can check the status on the Air District website before you light a fire.
How far from the house should a fire pit be?
Distances come from your local fire district and the California Fire Code, so ask your district for the rule at your address. We plan the layout so the pit sits well away from the house, fences and overhanging branches.
What should a fire pit sit on?
A firm, level, non-combustible surface such as pavers or concrete over a compacted base. Grass and wood decks are not good surfaces for a fire.
Do I need a permit for a fire pit?
Rules vary by city and fire district, and a gas line can involve its own permit. We will point out what to check for your address.
Can you add a fire pit to my existing patio?
Often, yes. It depends on the condition of the patio, the base under it and where the pit would sit. We will look at it at your free estimate.
Let's talk
Ready for a yard you'll love?
Call, text, email or send a request. Tell us what you want to build and we'll set up a free estimate.
Free estimates for pavers, concrete and fences, from Menlo Park to the whole Bay Area.
Call or text today(650) 334-6529
Menlo Park, CA · Serving the whole Bay Area · Estimates are free