Where to watch fireworks this weekend

By Marc Choquette | July 3, 2009

Happy 4th of July weekend San Diego! Here’s a listing of the fireworks displays that will be happening around San Diego County this weekend to celebrate America’s 233rd birthday:

Public Transportation

• MTS will have expanded service on all three Trolley lines until at least one hour after the end of the fireworks
  • Includes late Green Line into Santee

• Some buses will also have extra service (e.g. 901 to Coronado, 30 to PB and La Jolla)
  • Check www.sdcommute.com for more information

• REMEMBER – with the exception of extra holiday service, public transportation will be on a Sunday schedule for July 3rd and a Saturday schedule for July 4!!

San Diego Metro Area

Coronado – Glorietta Bay

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Orange Avenue and Glorietta
• Set to 96.5 KYXY
• Prime locations:
  • Coronado Golf Course
  • Silver Strand beach
• Parking:
  • Very difficult!  Come early in the day to get a spot
• Important info:
  • PATIENCE! Getting off Coronado afterward will probably take at least an hour

Downtown – Annual Big Bay Boom

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Fireworks discharged simultaneously from four different  barges around the bay
  • Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero and Seaport Village
• Set to music from 105.7 “The Walrus”
• www.thebigbay.com
• Televised on FOX 5 and COX 4
• Prime viewing locations:
  • Boat or land at Shelter Island
  • Harbor Island
  • North Embarcadero
  • Seaport Village/Coronado Landing
• CROWDED!
• Best ways to get there:
  • Old Town Trolley – provides free shuttle service for Shelter Island and Harbor Island viewing
  • Shelter Island Shuttle
    • Corner of Carleton street adjacent to West Marine (do NOT park on West Marine!  Street parking only!)
    • Drop-off and return pick-up in front of Shelter Island gazebo
  • Harbor Island Shuttle
    • Park in Port Administration building parking lot (3165 Pacific Highway) or Port employee lot (southwest corner of Pacific Highway and Sassafras)
    • Pick-up at Port of San Diego Administration building
    • Drop-off and return – Harbor Island Park
  • Last shuttle from the islands at 11 pm!
  • San Diego Harbor by Trolley or downtown buses
    • Harbor Drive north of Broadway – prime viewing locations easily accessible by MTS
• Parking:
  • Lots open at 5 pm, free shuttles to Shelter and Harbor Islands
  • Paid parking lots also available

Del Mar Fairgrounds

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Included with Fair admission
• Grand finale
• Performance by Smokey Robinson

Mission Bay – Sea World – Shamu’s SkySplash

• Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm (all weekend, July 3-5)
• Located at 500 Sea World Drive
• Prime viewing locations:
  • Along Crown Point
  • Kate Sessions Memorial Park in North Pacific Beach
  • Around Sea World and Mission Bay area
  • A friend’s unobstructed balcony!

La Jolla – “Lights Over the Cove”

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Prime locations to watch:
  • La Jolla Cove
  • Scripps Park
  • La Jolla Shores
• Parking:
  • Unregulated all day, no time limits
  • But come early to ensure a spot!

Mira Mesa – Gil Johnson Recreation Center

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Located at 8575 New Salem Street
• Following a full day of festivities
• Set to 96.5 KYXY
• Prime viewing locations:
  • Mira Mesa Park and Rec Center, Mira Mesa HS parking lot
  • Locals like to park in the Target parking lot, and watch from there, having a mini “tailgate” party
• Parking:
  • Mira Mesa HS
  • Mira Mesa Park

Mission Bay – Mission Bay Yacht Club

• Display begins at 9 pm
• Located at 1251 Carmel Place – West Mission Bay
• Fireworks following boat parade
• Prime viewing locations:
  • Mission Bay, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, a friend’s balcony
• Parking:
  • Virtually impossible – visitors camp out starting very early
  • Arrive early, and be ready for a LONG wait to exit the bay area
  • Parking available to Yacht Club Members

Ocean Beach – Pier

• Located at the foot of Niagara Avenue
• Fireworks begin 9 pm
• Simulcast to SOPHIE 103.7
• Prime locations:
  • Ocean Beach shoreline, Sunset Cliffs, Dog Beach, a friend’s balcony
• Parking:
  • Street parking free, but paid parking will be available near show time

Mission Bay – Paradise Point Resort

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm on July 3rd
• Located at 1404 Vacation Road, Mission Bay
• Part of the 9th annual “All American BBQ and Fireworks Extravaganza”
  • $59 for adults, $25 for kids (12 and under)

East County

Santee – Town Center Community Park Ballfields

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Located at 9400 Cuyamaca Street
• Parking:
  • Limited parking on-site, but parking and shuttles available at Costco and the Aquatics Center

Spring Valley

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Located in Spring Valley Swap Meet parking lot (8735 Jamacha Blvd.)
• Prime location to watch – Spring Valley park
  • Arrive early to find parking!

La Mesa – Lake Murray

• Fireworks begin at 9:15 pm
• Follows an all-day Music Festival

El Cajon – Kennedy Park

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Located at 1675 East Madison Avenue
• Set to KYXY 96.5

Ramona – Olive Peirce Middle School

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Follows evening festivities
• Located at 1521 Hanson Lane
• Set to music on KYXY 96.5

North County

Rancho Bernardo – Webb Lake Park

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Located at Webb Lake Park – 11000 Avena Place
• Follows annual Rancho Bernardo “Spirit of the 4th Festival & Parade”
• Set to 96.5 KYXY

San Marcos – Bradley Park

• Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm
• Follows celebration during the day
• Located 465 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road
• Set to 96.5 KYXY

Vista – Brengle Terrace Park

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Located at 1200 Vale Terrace Drive
• Follows daylong festivities
• Parking:
  • Parking $5/car
  • Free parking and shuttle from Vista High School (1 Panther Way)
• Set to 96.5 KYXY

Camp Pendleton – Del Mar Beach

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Follows afternoon Beach Bash
• Located at 321 N. Broadway
• Set to 96.5 KYXY

Carlsbad – Legoland

• Fireworks begin at 8:30 pm
• Included with admission

Escondido – Grape Day Park

• Fireworks begin 9 pm
• Located at 340 N. Escondido Blvd.

Poway – Poway High School Stadium

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Located at 15500 Espola Road
• Event from 7 – 10pm
• Tickets $2, children under 11 accompanied by an adult are free!

South Bay

National City – Kimball Park

• Fireworks begin at 9 pm
• Located at 12th Street and D Avenue

Miscellaneous Fireworks Stuff

Downtown – Maritime Museum of San Diego

• Located at 1492 N. Harbor Drive
• Fireworks cruise aboard the Californian
• Ages 7+
• Tickets are $65
• Check in at 6:15 pm sharp

Downtown – Hornblower Cruises & Events

• Located at 1066 N. Harbor Drive
• Dinner cruise and fireworks viewing, plus live music
• Board at 6:30 pm sharp
• Adults, $125, discount for kids 4-12

Downtown – Yacht America

• Sunset and fireworks sail
• Located at 1050 N. Harbor Drive
• Departs at 6 pm
• Traditional picnic fair, BYO alcohol
• Adults $125, kids 12 and under $80

Downtown – USS Midway Museum, Embarcadero

• Event begins at 6 pm
• Bring aboard picnics
• Live music all night
• Limited tickets — adults $10, kids $5