July 4th Fireworks Locations in San Diego

July 4 is just around the corner which means lots of things to do and see — like fireworks. Whether you like your fireworks big, small or set to music, just about every city and community in San Diego will have something for you to ooh and aah at. Here’s a quick look at where to head so you can watch glistening fireworks to celebrate our country’s independence. All fireworks shows and activities listed below take place on Sunday unless otherwise noted. Be careful and have fun!
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Paradise Point Resort & Spa “9th Annual All-American BBQ & Fireworks Extravaganza,”1404 Vacation Road, Mission Bay: (858) 274-4630. Barbecue at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 3rd (this is the only Saturday fireworks display for the 4th in San Diego); adults $59, children $25. Kids activities and carnival. Fireworks at 9 p.m.

Annual Big Bay Boom July 4 Fireworks Show, Downtown: (619) 686-6200 or thebigbay.com for parking/shuttle information and map. Fireworks, from barges placed near Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero area and Seaport Village; at 9 p.m. to music from 105.7 “The Walrus” FM radio.

Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown: sdmaritime.org or (619) 234-9153. Fireworks, picnic dinner and live music aboard the Berkeley Ferry; adults $40; children ages 5-10, $20; children ages 4 and under free; and up, $65. Check-in: 5 p.m.

Summer Pops: “Star Spangled Pops” on the Embarcadero Marina Park South, Downtown: (619) 235-0804. Concerts with Marvin Hamlisch. $17-$76. Gates open 6 p.m., concerts at 7:30 p.m.

Hornblower Cruises & Events, 1066 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown: (888) 467-6256. Dinner cruise, fireworks viewing and live music from 7 to 10 p.m. Board at 6:30 p.m. $115 per person. Discount for children 4-12.

Yacht America sunset and fireworks sail, 1050 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown: (800) 644-3454; sunsetsail-sandiego.googlepages.com. Departs at 6 p.m. Traditional picnic fare, soft drinks; BYO alcohol. Adults $125; children 12 and under $80.

USS Midway Museum’s “Apple Pie 4th of July” celebration; 910 North Harbor Drive, Downtown: midway.org. Doors open at 6 p.m. Visitors can bring aboard picnics, and then watch the fireworks. Live music performance by N.R.G Energy. Limited tickets available; adults $15; children 17 and under $10.

Coronado Fourth of July Celebration, Spreckels Park; Glorietta Bay: ecoronado.com or (619) 328-2461. Daylong festivities include a 15k run, 5k run/walk and rough-water swim. Live music TBA. July 3 parade at 10 a.m.; fireworks on July 4 at 9 p.m.

La Jolla Cove, Ellen Browning Scripps Park, 1180 Coast Blvd.: (858) 456-1700. Fireworks at 9 p.m.

Mission Bay Yacht Club, 1215 El Carmel Place, Mission Bay: (858) 488-0501. Boat parade; Dixieland Jazz band and Tommy and the Stilettos will perform; fireworks at 9 p.m. (Members-only parking.)

“31st Annual Ocean Beach Fireworks off the Pier”; Ocean Beach Pier, end of Newport Avenue: (619) 226-8613 or oceanbeachsandiego.com. Fireworks at 9 p.m. simulcast to 103.7 FM radio.

Sea World San Diego’s “Fireworks: Into the Blue”; 500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay: (800) 25-SHAMU. Extended fireworks set to patriotic music at about 9:50 p.m.

Mira Mesa, Mira Mesa Community Park/Gil Johnson Recreation Center, 8575 New Salem St.: (858) 538-8122. Noon-9 p.m. parade, family activities; fireworks at 9 p.m.

“Santee Salutes”; Santee Town Center Community Park’s West Ball Fields; 9400 Cuyamaca St.: ci.santee.ca.us or (619) 258-4100, ext. 201. Free. Family activities and fireworks, 3:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Spring Valley Park, 8735 Jamacha Blvd., Spring Valley: (619) 479-1832. At the swap meet behind the Spring Valley Community Center. Fireworks at 9 p.m.

San Diego County Fair, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.: (858) 755-1161 or sdfair.com. 7:30 p.m. Navy Band Southwest; 9 p.m. fireworks, followed by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts concert. Free with fair admission.

Grape Day Park, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido: 4 to 10 p.m. (760) 839-4138. Activities starting at 5 p.m.; no barbecuing or dogs allowed; big parking lot will not be accessible; food available for purchase. Marine Corps will perform at 8 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.

Julian, Main Street: (760) 765-1857. Pre-parade activities begin at 10 a.m. with parade at noon; no fireworks.

Legoland’s “Red, White and Boom!” 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad: (760) 918-5346. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Entertainment by the Jumpitz. Fireworks at 8:30 p.m. All activities included with admission.

“17th Annual Independence Day Parade”; July 3 at North Tyson Street Park in Oceanside going from Coast Highway to Wisconsin Avenue to Civic Center Drive: msoceanside.com or (760) 535-5227. Daylong family-friendly activities. No fireworks.

Olive Pierce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane, Ramona: ramonachamber.com or (760) 789-1311. Family activities start at 5 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. Tune in to music on 96.5 FM radio.

Old Poway Park’s “Old Fashioned 4th of July,” 14134 Midland Road, Poway: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live music and family-friendly activities available with fireworks celebration taking place at Poway High School.

Bradley Park, 465 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, San Marcos: ci.san-marcos.ca.us or (760) 744-9000. Free to the public with entertainment at 6 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m.

Brengle Terrace Park’s “Red, White and Boom” celebration, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista: (760) 726-1340, ext. 1571, or cityofvista.com. Park opens at 7 a.m. Family activities; live music; barbecue fundraiser sponsored by Famous Dave, $65 per person but $500 for table of eight; free to public, parking $10 per vehicle; fireworks at 9 p.m.

Kimball Park, 12th Street and D Avenue, National City: Carnival 5 p.m. daily July 1 through 3. (619) 336-4290. Live entertainment by North Carolina Concert band at 8 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. on July 4.

Photo from puliarf via Flickr