San Diego is famous for its beaches, but few students take advantage of the many facilities the beaches offer! Did you know that you can have a barbecue on many of San Diego’s beaches? Some even have barbecue pits for you to use. Check out our SD beach barbecue guide before organizing a trip with your CISL friends. Cheers!
SD Beach Barbecue Guide
#1: Choose a beach
Which beach will you choose to BBQ? Coronado? La Jolla? Read our Guide to San Diego’s Beaches for an idea of the facilities each beach has (and to learn the personality of each beach) and then choose the one that’s perfect for your beach day!
Make sure that you research the beach’s facilities and hours before planning your trip: the San Diego City website lists all of the offerings for each beach, including if the beach is accessible by public transport, if there are public restrooms, and if barbecues and fires are allowed.
#2: Grab some friends
Who is coming with you? Make sure you plan in advance so that you know how much food you will need! When planning how to arrive, consider all of your public transportation options: read our Public Transportation in San Diego article for useful information.
#3: Buy the supplies
What will you need to buy for the perfect barbecue? For a BBQ, you are going to need the following:
- Coals
- A lighter (to set fire to the coals)
- Utensils for grilling (tongs and spatula)
- Plates, napkins, cups, forks, knives, etc. (plastic: no glass allowed at the beaches or parks)
- Food! Sausages? Burgers?
- Condiments (ketchup, mustard, etc.)
- Drinks
- A cooler to keep the drinks cold
Be sure to research if the beach has picnic benches; if not, grab a blanket to sit on while you eat!
#4: Plan the rest of the dayÂ
What will you do afterwards? Maybe play some beach volleyball? Perhaps go swimming? Check out our article for some Beach Activity Ideas (and beach-related vocabulary). Make sure you come prepared . . . and don’t forget the sunscreen!
BBQ Idioms in EnglishÂ
When we think of barbecues, we think of burgers, fire (and smoke), and good times! These idioms are related to the foods and items you might have at a beach BBQ.
After meat, mustard
Definition: a phrase emphasizing that something has come too late to be useful (like mustard being offered . . . after meat has already been eaten)
Example: (Student): I just completed my extra credit! (Teacher): And I’ve just submitted the final grades. After meat, mustard.
To be in a pickle
Definition: experiencing a difficult situation
Example: I can’t decide between going to Balboa Park museums or going to the beach. I’m in such a pickle!
Cut the mustard
Definition: satisfactory or right for the situation or expectations
Example: What do you think about my final paper? Does it cut the mustard?
To go up in flames
Definition 1: burn up completely
Example: They watched the house go up in flames.
Definition 2: [for value or investment] to be lost suddenly and totally
Example: After they lost their main investor, they were afraid the project would go up in flames.
To grill someone (about something)
Definition: to question or interrogate someone intensely and relentlessly (about something)
Example: The manager really grilled me during my interview, but I got the job!
Holy smoke!
Definition: what a surprise!
Example: You got the job? Holy smoke!
To rake someone over the coals
Definition: to scold someone
Example: They raked the politician over the coals for lying.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire
Definition: a saying meaning “there’s always some reason for a rumor.”
Example: I knew there was a problem with the company after the two managers quit. When there’s smoke, there’s fire.