On the night of Summer Solstice 2002, the fire started burning and hasn’t let up since with the opening of BeachFire Bar & Grill in downtown San Clemente. In May 2006 things heated up with our second location opening in Ladera Ranch across from the Town Green. In December 2007, we opened our third restaurant, Irons in the Fire, at the historic San Clemente Municipal Golf Course.

Dave and Allison are Orange County natives married 20 years with two daughters, Paige, and Isabel. Dave’s brother, Mark Donaldson, is an exceptional plein aire painter and General Manager of Irons in the Fire. Mark recently moved his family back from Puerto Rico, where Mark had been for 20 years, so he can help in the company growth and develop his career as an artist.

Dave’s other brother, Robin Donaldson, is a successful architect in Santa Barbara and helped design the Ladera Ranch restaurant. Allison’s brother, Scott Blaydes, is the official BeachFire Ambassador spreading the love and sharing with guests what we’re all about. It’s a family affair which includes all of our exceptional staff members that makes BeachFire and Irons vibrant and unique establishments.

When you walk into BeachFire and Irons, the vibe and energy pull you in. Smiling guests of all ages; beautiful and friendly staff, art from floor to ceiling; aromatic smells and smooth live music invite you to enjoy your experience for all the senses. Frequently you will catch Dave standing on the bar leading a toast to acknowledge and thank our guests and employees. Dave encourages everyone to introduce themselves to someone new and a community is sparked.

Creativity, community and celebration are the kindling to this fire. It all started from a history and desire to bring people together in an inviting and self-expressed environment. San Clemente residents and entrepreneurs, Dave and Allison Donaldson, created BeachFire and Irons to celebrate the California coastal lifestyle and the good times and great food associated with it.

Dave had the creative vision for the restaurants and ensured they reflected his passion for art, music, surfing, connecting with people and living like you’re always on vacation! The design is organic. The bars in San Clemente and Ladera are made from driftwood, recycled picnic tables from the San Clemente State Park Campground and the Rancho Mission Viejo barn – with original carvings in tact. If you look close enough, you will find many treasures tucked in the nooks and crannies. The recycled corrugated metal and wood from an old chicken ranch in Orange County finish off the look. The fireplaces are artistic masterpieces built from beach rock and boast burning driftwood logs.

Every inch of the walls is covered with over 400 pieces of original art by local artists. Even the floors are art! The 2002 San Clemente High School art students, designed and laid the mosaic art on the floor in San Clemente. The Tesoro High School Special Education students created the LOVE floor mosaic in Ladera Ranch.

Irons boasts a classic Spanish colonial-style restaurant with clean lines, modest decor and beautiful plein air paintings. A perfect complement to the classic 1920's public golf course known as the Jewel of the Pacific. The wrap-around patio with fire pit and live music, 6-hour breakfast event, in-house smoked meats for lunch and dinner, make Irons the best clubhouse restaurant in Orange County!

The artistic approach also extends to our menu. We offer high quality and good value with our fresh fish and premium meat from local purveyors all prepare with respect to our Earth's valuable resources and served with love by our exceptional staff.

The public recognition and awards have been firing since the day we opened! BeachFire was named Top 10 Dining Experiences by the Orange County Register and a Hot New Concept by Restaurant Industries magazine our first year in business. Executive Chef and Celebration Artist, Cathy McKnight, was named Top 10 Female Chefs of Orange County in November 2007.

The energy and passion for growing this business and spreading the love, is what inspires us. We know that without the love and support from our family, friends, employees and guests, it wouldn’t be possible. We offer a sincere thank you for being a part of our lives and restaurants.