San Diego is a prime destination for an epic 4th of July celebration, so break out the barbecue and get ready for the sky to light up, as no matter what part of America's Finest City you are in or around, there is somewhere to relax and enjoy an amazing fireworks show. Here, we run down some of the top 4th of July spectaculars around San Diego.
Even though 4th of July falls on a Monday this year, San Diego is not holding back. Below we list the top 11 scheduled fireworks shows around the county.
2. Sea to Shining Sea Fireworks, 9:40pm - SeaWorld San Diego lights up the sky on most nights during the summer, but its Independence Day fireworks are extra explosive. Grab a spot on the sand along Mission Bay for this one. It usually takes place right after the Big Bay Boom ends so you can enjoy two-for-one.
3. Ocean Beach Pier Fireworks, 9pm - Enjoy a day of all that Ocean Beach has to offer, then cozy up as the sun sets for a spectacular fireworks show launched from the end of the OB Pier. Be careful, because there is usually a giant marshmallow melee around the same time as the fireworks. Don't forget your radio so you can hear the fireworks soundtrack being broadcast simultaneously during the show. Tune in to KyXy 96.5 to hear the broadcast!
1. Big Bay Boom, 9pm - This is the largest Independence Day display in the county, with fireworks launched from four barges situated around North San Diego Bay. The show can be viewed from Harbor Island, Shelter Island, Mission Bay, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village/Coronado Landing and many other areas along the bay. Hopefully the fireworks don't go off all at once like they did in 2012!
2. Sea to Shining Sea Fireworks, 9:40pm - SeaWorld San Diego lights up the sky on most nights during the summer, but its Independence Day fireworks are extra explosive. Grab a spot on the sand along Mission Bay for this one. It usually takes place right after the Big Bay Boom ends so you can enjoy two-for-one.
3. Ocean Beach Pier Fireworks, 9pm - Enjoy a day of all that Ocean Beach has to offer, then cozy up as the sun sets for a spectacular fireworks show launched from the end of the OB Pier. Be careful, because there is usually a giant marshmallow melee around the same time as the fireworks. Don't forget your radio so you can hear the fireworks soundtrack being broadcast simultaneously during the show. Tune in to KyXy 96.5 to hear the broadcast!
4. Fourth of July Fireworks at La Jolla Cove, 9pm - Make your way to Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla for sunset and stay for a spectacular set of fireworks with a picturesque background. Celebrate 4th of July with friends, family, and fireworks at the beautiful La Jolla Cove and enjoy a riveting and patriotic display over the Pacific Ocean.
5. San Diego County Fair 4th of July Celebration, 9pm - Head to Del Mar Fairgrounds for the last day of the 2016 San Diego County Fair and enjoy one of our area's top fireworks shows. What better place is there to spend Independence Day than at the San Diego County Fair? Highlighting the day will be the traditional fireworks display, which will be visible throughout the Fairgrounds. There will also be professional wrestling, a pie eating contest, a parade, concerts, comedy and more.
6. 4th of July Celebration in Coronado, 9pm - Coronado's 4th of July celebration offers a full day of activities, starting with a parade down Orange Avenue at 10am, followed by a concert in Spreckels Park at 4pm, with the fireworks over Glorietta Bay starting at 9pm. The traffic is going to be heavy for this one, so consider taking the ferry over from downtown San Diego to Coronado.
7. Mira Mesa Fourth of July Celebration, 9pm - Head to Mira Mesa Community Park at Mira Mesa Boulevard and New Salem Street in Mira Mesa for festive, family friendly activities including a parade and fireworks. This 42 year tradition begins with a pancake breakfast at the Mira Mesa Senior Center. Family Fun Day in the Park opens at 11am with food vendors and entertainment. The annual 4th of July Parade steps off at 11:30am, with Family Fun Day continuing until 9pm when the fireworks begin.
7. Mira Mesa Fourth of July Celebration, 9pm - Head to Mira Mesa Community Park at Mira Mesa Boulevard and New Salem Street in Mira Mesa for festive, family friendly activities including a parade and fireworks. This 42 year tradition begins with a pancake breakfast at the Mira Mesa Senior Center. Family Fun Day in the Park opens at 11am with food vendors and entertainment. The annual 4th of July Parade steps off at 11:30am, with Family Fun Day continuing until 9pm when the fireworks begin.
8. Escondido Independence Day Festival & Fireworks, 9pm - Taking place at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, join more than 20,000 festival-goers for the 53rd Annual Independence Day Festival & Fireworks with live music, food, children's activities, games, and, of course, fireworks. This free community event also features a special performance by Camp Pendleton’s 1st Marine Division Band, free admission to the Center's two current exhibitions, and a National Anthem Singing Competition.
9. El Cajon 4th of July Picnic & Fireworks, 9pm - El Cajon's 4th of July celebration takes over Kennedy Park at 1675 East Madison Avenue from 1-9:30pm. Picnic at the park and enjoy sunny San Diego East County, with food, games, prizes, kiddie train rides and more. Then stay for a fireworks show.
9. El Cajon 4th of July Picnic & Fireworks, 9pm - El Cajon's 4th of July celebration takes over Kennedy Park at 1675 East Madison Avenue from 1-9:30pm. Picnic at the park and enjoy sunny San Diego East County, with food, games, prizes, kiddie train rides and more. Then stay for a fireworks show.
10. National City's 4th of July Carnival, 9pm - The National City Host Lions Club are celebrating the 4th of July with a weekend long carnival at Kimball Park complete with rides, games, food, and fun, culminating with fireworks on the 4th of July. The carnival takes place on Thursday, June 30 and Friday, July 1 from 5-11pm, Saturday & Sunday from 1-11pm, and Monday from 12-11:45pm
11. Chula Vista 4th Fest, 9pm - Enjoy free July 4th fireworks at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, set to a custom soundtrack heard only on 91X, KFM-BFM 100.7, Magic 92.5, Z90.3, and AM 760. Gates to the U.S. Olympic Training Center open at 6pm for public viewing. No alcohol is allowed on the USOTC campus and vehicles and pedestrians will be searched upon entry. Parking is $10 with only 500 parking spots. There is also free parking along Olympic Parkway and Lake Crest Drive.
On the morning after 4th of July - Tuesday, July 5, there will be a big mess to clean up, and the Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter will be leading the cleanup efforts! Join in on Surfrider's Morning After Mess Cleanup from 8 to 11am at one of the four hosted locations - Ocean Beach Pier and Oceanside Pier sites and partner organizations I Love A Clean San Diego and San Diego Coastkeeper at the Belmont Park and Crystal Pier sites. Last year, more than 650 volunteers removed 1,410 pounds of trash and 362 pounds of recycling from four local beaches in three hours. The trash included 489 plastic bags, 983 pieces of Styrofoam, and 14,796 cigarette butts.
Check out the below map for a huge list of all the 2016 4th of July celebrations taking place around San Diego County, thanks to fine folks at SanDiego.org. Have a great holiday and be safe out there!
11. Chula Vista 4th Fest, 9pm - Enjoy free July 4th fireworks at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, set to a custom soundtrack heard only on 91X, KFM-BFM 100.7, Magic 92.5, Z90.3, and AM 760. Gates to the U.S. Olympic Training Center open at 6pm for public viewing. No alcohol is allowed on the USOTC campus and vehicles and pedestrians will be searched upon entry. Parking is $10 with only 500 parking spots. There is also free parking along Olympic Parkway and Lake Crest Drive.
On the morning after 4th of July - Tuesday, July 5, there will be a big mess to clean up, and the Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter will be leading the cleanup efforts! Join in on Surfrider's Morning After Mess Cleanup from 8 to 11am at one of the four hosted locations - Ocean Beach Pier and Oceanside Pier sites and partner organizations I Love A Clean San Diego and San Diego Coastkeeper at the Belmont Park and Crystal Pier sites. Last year, more than 650 volunteers removed 1,410 pounds of trash and 362 pounds of recycling from four local beaches in three hours. The trash included 489 plastic bags, 983 pieces of Styrofoam, and 14,796 cigarette butts.
Check out the below map for a huge list of all the 2016 4th of July celebrations taking place around San Diego County, thanks to fine folks at SanDiego.org. Have a great holiday and be safe out there!
