Whether a California beach is "open" at night depends entirely on the local municipality and the specific park's regulations. Many popular beaches in Los Angeles and Orange County, such as Santa Monica or Huntington Beach, technically "close" to the public between 10:00 PM or midnight and sunrise. This means that while you can sometimes walk on the sand, loitering, setting up camp, or parking in the associated lots is prohibited and can lead to a citation from local law enforcement. However, many "state beaches" have different rules, and certain areas allow nighttime activities like beach bonfires in designated fire rings (as seen in Newport Beach or Dockweiler) until the 10:00 PM curfew. In more remote areas along the Central Coast or Northern California, the beaches are often accessible 24 hours a day, provided you are not camping illegally. It is also important to remember that swimming in the Pacific Ocean at night is highly discouraged due to dangerous "rip currents" and the lack of lifeguards on duty. Always check the posted signs at the entrance of each beach to confirm the specific "curfew" for that location.