Fireworks
The annual Big Bay Boom will be set off from four barges located around North San Diego Bay. The fireworks can be seen from a variety of different locations downtown including Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero, and Seaport Village.
Location: North San Diego Bay
Date: July 4
Time: 9 p.m. – 9:20 p.m.
Coronado Independence Day Celebration
Celebrate the Fourth of July on Coronado Island, with a parade, concert, and activities in the park as well as a great spot to view the Big Bay Boom fireworks show.
Location: Various locations on Coronado
Time: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Art in the Park, Spreckels Park; 10 a.m. Parade down Orange Avenue; 4 p.m. Concert in Spreckels Park; 9 p.m. fireworks over Glorietta Bay
Fourth of July Lights Over the Cove
Watch a fireworks show over La Jolla Cove. Come early to claim a spot and enjoy the sunset before the show begins.
Location: Ellen Browning Scripps Park, 1133 Coast Boulevard, La Jolla
Date: July 4
Time: 9 p.m.
Independence Day Festival & Fireworks
The California Center for the Arts is hosting a free community event to celebrate the Fourth. This festival includes live music, food vendors, a national anthem singing competition, and games. The evening will end with a performance by Camp Pendleton’s 1st Marine Division Band and a fireworks show.
Location: 340 North Escondido Boulevard, Escondido
Date: July 4
Time: 4 p.m., Fireworks at 9 p.m.
Ring in the Fourth at this annual parade that commemorates the history, veterans, and local residents of the town.
Location: Main Street, Julian
Date: July 4
Time: 12 p.m.
July 4th BBQ & Fireworks at SEA180
Celebrate Independence Day with the All American BBQ Package on the Pier View Terrace. The package includes free valet parking, two drinks, and various food options from the grill. Or choose the Rooftop Fireworks Package, starting at 8 p.m., which includes an additional drink ticket and access to the Alta Mar Rooftop for Music and Fireworks.
Location: 800 Seacoast Drive, Imperial Beach
Date: July 4
Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Price: $50 (All American BBQ) and $70 (Rooftop Fireworks); call 619-631-4949, extension 2 to purchase tickets
Ocean Beach 4th of July Fireworks
Spend the day exploring the shops and restaurants in Downtown OB or swimming in the ocean before celebrating with a fireworks show off the pier.
Location: Ocean Beach Pier at the end of Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach
Date: July 4
Time: 9 p.m.
Enjoy an early fireworks show at El Corazon Site with music and food vendors.
Location: El Corazon Site at Rancho Del Oro Road, Oceanside
Date: July 3
Time: 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Old Town Fourth of July Celebration
Spend the day in Old Town San Diego and experience how Independence Day would have been celebrated in the 1800s. The celebration includes a parade and nineteenth century crafts, games, and contests.
Location: 4002 Wallace Street, Old Town
Date: July 4
Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Over the Top 4th of July Celebration
Enjoy the Big Bay Boom fireworks show from the Top of the Hyatt in downtown San Diego. Guests 21 and up can come enjoy unlimited beer, wine, champagne, and a dinner buffet.
Location: 1 Market Place, San Diego
Date: July 4
Time: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Price: $125 – $200
Celebrate with the family at Legoland. There will be live music and picnic games all day, and fireworks that can be seen across the park at 8:30 p.m.
Location: 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad
Date: July 4
Time: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Price: Admission to Legoland $87
San Diego County Fair Fourth of July
Head to the fair where there will be costume contests, live pro wrestling, monster trucks, and a parade. Fireworks will be visible throughout the Fairgrounds at 9 p.m.
Location: 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
Date: July 4
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Price: Fair Admission $16
Sea to Shining Sea 4th of July Spectacular
Sit in the Cirque de la Mer stadium overlooking Mission Bay to enjoy the fireworks display. A pre-show concert by the Sea Street Band is also included in the ticket price.
Location: 500 SeaWorld Drive, Mission Bay
Date: July 4
Time: stadium opens at 9 p.m., fireworks start at 9:40 p.m.
Price: Admission to SeaWorld $69 + $15 for reserved seating
Events
The weekend full of activities includes a wine and painting activity, family Olympics, pie eating contest, party in the plaza, and more.
Location: 2100 Costa Del Mar Road, Carlsbad
Date: July 2 – July 4
Time: varies from 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Price: Prices vary
Guadalupe Valley Culinary & Music Festival
Celebrate America from just across the border at the three-day Guadalupe Valley Culinary & Music Festival. This festival will feature musical artists from around the world as well as some of the best chefs and winemakers in the region.
Location: Ruta del Vino, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja
Date: July 1– 3
Time: 7 p.m.
Price: $53 for one day, $143 for all three days
The Del Beach Bash is a great way to get a head start on Fourth of July weekend. The beach will be transformed into a beach party with live music from Ron Garage Band, kids crafts, fireworks, and more.
Location: 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Date: June 30
Time: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Price: $25 per person
Horton Plaza Top Gun screening
Come enjoy a viewing of the film Top Gun on a 32-foot screen in Horton Plaza Park. The first 250 guests will be matched with a pair of wireless headphones to control their own volume and language preference. Food and beverages will be available to purchase from Sloan’s Ice Cream and Starbucks.
Location: 900 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
Date: July 2
Time: Guests can arrive at 7 p.m., movie starts at 8:30 p.m.
Price: Free to the first 250 guests who pre-register
Oceanside’s parade provides an opportunity to celebrate the Fourth of July early. Pick a spot on the sidewalk along the parade route and enjoy floats, bands, walking groups, cars, and more.
Location: Coast Highway 101 from Wisconsin Avenue to Civic Center Drive, Oceanside
Date: July 2
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Rooftop600 Summer Rooftop Pool Party
Andaz San Diego is hosting a Fourth of July weekend rooftop pool party. Guests 21 and up can come dressed in pool attire to enjoy the pool and various inflatable toys. There will be poolside cocktails, music by Tiki Disco, and rooftop views.
Location: 600 F Street, Gaslamp Quarter
Date: July 3
Time: 1 p.m.
Price: $20 – $40
Food & Drink
Kick off the Fourth of July with a Bloody Mary bar at the Backyard Kitchen & Tap. Or come enjoy live music all afternoon, as well as an all-you-can-eat barbeque platter.
Location: 832 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach
Date: July 4
Time: Bloody Mary Bar 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., backyard BBQ 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Price: $22.95 (Backyard BBQ)
Head to the PB bar for a variety of drink specials over Fourth of July weekend.
Location: 1030 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach
Date: July 1 – July 4
Time: 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Price: $5 Budweiser Tall Boys, $5 Jack Daniels, $2 Jell-O Shots
Carnitas’ Snack Shack’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Neighborhood Block Party
Carnitas’ Snack Shack is hosting a Fourth of July barbeque. This family-friendly free event includes live music, games, a portable bar from a local brewery, and a fireworks display. Soft serve ice cream with red, white, and blue sprinkles will be available for purchase.
Location: 1004 North Harbor Drive, San Diego
Date: July 4
Time: 12 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Price: Free; food and beverages for purchase
July 4th Celebration at Coasterra
Coasterra is hosting a Fourth of July celebration on their Skyline Terrace. Guests 21 and up can come enjoy $7 food and drinks all evening, as well as live music from Ottopilot from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: 880 Harbor Island Drive, Harbor Island
Date: July 4
Time: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Price: $10
Firehouse American Eatery + Lounge
Celebrate the Fourth of July a few steps away from the beach with food and cocktails. Firehouse is offering $1 sliders and $16 bottles of Prosecco until 2 p.m.
Location: 722 Grand Avenue, Pacific Beach
Date: July 4
Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Price: Varies
Florent is extending its weekend brunch for the Fourth of July. Come celebrate with $15 bottomless mimosas in the building that was used as City Hall until 1938.
Location: 672 Fifth Ave, Gaslamp
Date: July 4
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Celebrate the Fourth of July with a $5 Oh-Say-Can-You-Tea drink created at The Deck. The open-air venue is also offering a casual American menu and various backyard games.
Location: 335 Sixth Avenue, East Village
Date: July 4
Time: 4 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Price: Varies
4th of July Classics at the Pony Room at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
Celebrate Independence Day with classic American dining specials, cherry and apple pies, and live music all day. The Pony Room also boasts a wide selection of locally brewed craft beers, over 100 variations of tequila and a collection of signature cocktails.
Location: 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe
Date: July 4
Time: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Celebrate Independence Day early at OB Warehouse for a night of barbeque and $4 PBRs, with a DJ spinning 8 p.m. until close.
Location: 4839 Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach
Date: July 3
Time: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Price: $4 PBRs, BBQ entrees $13.95-$19.95, dessert $4.95
Royal Stone Bistro is extending its weekend in honor of Independence Day. The restaurant will offer a variety of breakfast dishes and seasonal specials, and guests can choose a limited-time rosé wine flight.
Location: 3401 First Avenue, Bankers Hill
Date: July 4
Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Price: $8 – $14 per brunch dish, $16 per rosé wine flight
Saltbox’s July 4th Weekend Celebration
SummerSalt, Saltbox’s rooftop pool and lounge, is hosting a Fourth of July weekend barbeque buffet complete with fried chicken, apple pie, and drink specials.
Location: 1047 Fifth Avenue, Downtown
Date: July 2
Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Price: $25 per person
Whiskey Girl is helping kick off the Fourth of July with red, white, and blue cocktails, as well as burger and shot specials over the weekend.
Location: 702 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp
Date: July 1– 3
Time: 11 a.m. – 2 a.m
Races
Start the celebrating with a run through the historic town of Coronado. There are three different races, a 12K, 5K and a kids ½ mile fun run, to pick from.
Location: Coronado Tidelands Park, Coronado
Date: July 4
Time: 6 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Price: $15 – $50 (depending on race distance)
Coronado’s Annual Rough Water Swim
Celebrate the Fourth with an ocean swim challenge. Swimmers must be at least 18 years old to compete or be USAS swimmers or USA water polo members.
Location: Coronado City Beach, Coronado
Date: July 4
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Price: $30 – $40, $65 day of
Scripps Ranch 4th of July Run & Ride
Get a calorie blast with a run around Miramar Lake or bike ride around San Diego. There is a 10K and a 2-mile fun run, along with three biking distances (12-mile, 28-mile, or 50-mile) to choose from.
Location: Runs Miramar Ranch Elementary School, Scripps Ranch; bike rides at Intersection of Scripps Ranch Boulevard and Hibert Street
Date: July 4
Time: 7 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. race start times
Price: $25 – $55 (depending on race)
San Diego Fourth of July Guide 2016
