The night of July 4 may be the holiday’s main attraction — especially in San Diego, where the Big Bay Boom is set to light up the sea and skies with one of the country’s largest Independence Day fireworks spectaculars.
But here, July 4 is an all-day celebration. From Coronado to Carlsbad, there’s no shortage of parades, dinners, festivals, concerts and cruises for San Diegans to celebrate during the day (though some of the events do culminate with fireworks shows).
Here’s Times of San Diego’s list of the city’s best events to ring in Independence Day. Whether you’re looking for family-oriented fun, a raucous party on the beach or a classy multi-course dinner, there’s something for everyone.
Coronado Fourth of July
Fourth of July will be an all-day affair in Coronado, with fun for the whole family. The festivities will kick off early in the morning at 7:30 a.m. with music, dancing and giveaways for kids on Orange Avenue from First Street to Churchill Place.
If you want a good lookout spot on a curb or median for the annual parade – trust us, it gets crowded – start coming any time from 5 a.m. to when the early-morning festivities kick off. After, Coronado Island’s Independence Parade will set off down Orange Avenue for its 76th year at 10 a.m.
Stick around for a show in the sky by the Frog-X Parachute Team at 2 p.m. over Coronado Golf Course and concerts throughout the afternoon and evening in Spreckels Park. There’s something for everyone’s tastes: Kids can sing along to Disney tunes by Coronado’s resident Disney singer Katleen Dugas at 2:30 p.m., and Detroit Underground will headline a dance celebration at 5:45 p.m.
Coronado’s Fourth of July Parade in 2022. (File photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego)Fireworks shot over Glorietta Bay will cap off the night at 9 p.m. If you’re coming from the the city, consider avoiding the Coronado Bridge bottleneck by taking the ferry from the Embarcadero in San Diego.
When: 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday
Where: Orange Avenue, Spreckels Park and Coronado Golf Course
Cost: Free
Escondido’s Independence Day Festival
Over 25,000 patriots will flood Grape Day Park for Escondido’s 60th Annual Independence Day Festival on July 4 to dance, chow down and marvel before fireworks light up the night sky.
Before the fireworks spectacular at 9 p.m., a program of live music will ring out through the park — covers of The Beatles and Joni Mitchell classics, twangy country tunes by San Diego native Kimmi Bitter and a patriotic performance by a Marine Corps music ensemble.
As the adults dance and mingle at the craft beer garden, kids can partake in the fun too with free arts and crafts, airbrush tattoos and face painting.
When: 4-9:30 p.m. on July 4
Where: Grape Day Park and California Center for the Arts, Escondido
Cost: Free
Padres’ Independence Day Party in the Park
Red, white and blue will fill Petco Park on Friday as the Padres go to bat against the Texas Rangers in their neon pink and green City Connect uniforms.
The Padres’ Jake Cronenworth celebrates with third base coach Tim Leiper after hitting a home run in March against the Atlanta Braves. The Friars will don their City Connect unis for July 4. (File photo by Gregory Bull/Associated Press)This themed Party in the Park will feature $5 drink specials, live music and activities in Gallagher Square ahead of the game.
When: 3:40 p.m. on July 4
Where: Petco Park in the East Village
Cost: $63.25 for standing-room tickets to $269.10 for the best seats.
El Cajon’s Fourth of July
Red, white and blue fireworks aren’t the only thing El Cajon has to offer on July 4. The city’s Independence Day celebration invites the whole family to Kennedy Park for free train rides, games and arts and crafts. Take your place at the park, have a picnic and listen to bumping beats by Encinitas local DJ Danny before the fireworks kick off at 9 p.m.
When: 3-9 p.m. on July 4
Where: Kennedy Park in El Cajon
Cost: Free
LEGOLAND’s Red, White & BOOM!
Little patriots won’t miss out on the Fourth festivities at LEGOLAND California’s star-spangled Red, White & BOOM! celebration. From open until close, kiddies can celebrate with dance parties, relays and shows hosted by the real-life versions of their favorite toys — along with over 60 rides and attractions at the park.
LEGOLAND California’s Red, White and BOOM! July 4 celebration will end with a bang: a fireworks spectacular over the park’s mini models at 8:45 p.m. (Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND California)The cherry on top? LEGOLAND’s nighttime fireworks spectacular will transform into lit-up LEGO bricks with the power of special glasses from the park.
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4
Where: LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad
Cost: Online, a one-day ticket to LEGOLAND Theme Park is $89. At the gate, it’s $129.
Poway’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration
Take a trip back in time for an old-timey Fourth of July at Old Poway Park, “turn-of-the-20th-century style.” Poway’s Independence Day celebration harkens back to the first Fourth of July in 1776 with western reenactments, historical games and model trains.
Old Poway Park will be full of patriotic costumes and Western reenactments for an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 4. (Photo courtesy of city of Poway)When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Old Poway Park
Cost: Free
Julian 4th of July Parade
Celebrants will pack both sides of Julian’s Main Street on July 4 for the town’s Independence Day parade, held in honor of U.S. service members. While the Marine Corps Color Guard will be a main event, marching bands and a giant American flag will parade down Main Street.
When: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: The parade begins at the intersection of Main Street and Highway 70. It will go through downtown Julian on Main Street to Julian Beer Company.
Cost: Free
4th of July: America in Song with the San Diego Symphony
Music enthusiasts looking to ring in July 4 with a bang can look no further than the San Diego Symphony, which is commemorating the country’s birthday with an auditory journey through U.S. musical history.
From country hits by Dolly Parton to Louis Armstrong’s jazz classics to sing-along Broadway tunes, the symphony will take listeners on a trip through America’s musical heritage, all from Jacobs Park.
The Rady Shell on San Diego Bay. (File photo courtesy of San Diego Symphony)When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in downtown San Diego
Cost: Tickets start at $58
Old Town Fourth of July
Travel back in time to the 1800s at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park to celebrate Independence Day like the first San Diego residents did. Old-fashioned tunes played by Billy Lee and the Swamp Critters, historical games like wheelbarrow races, Morse-code crafts and the park’s antiquee buildings won’t make it difficult for attendees to imagine how San Diegans rang in July 4 two centuries ago.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. (File photo courtesy of California State Parks)And if you’re hungry, chow down at the festival’s watermelon eating competition for a chance to earn the top spot.
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Cost: Free
Santee Salutes Independence Day Celebration
Santee is saluting the American flag this Independence Day with a day-to-night celebration featuring patriotic performances, food and rides. After a military color guard raises the flag at 6 p.m., San Diego band Full Strength hits the stage.
The Santee Salutes Independence Day Celebration will honor service members with a patriotic ceremony featuring a military color guard at 6 p.m. in the Town Center Community Park East. (Photo courtesy of city of Santee)When: 2-10 p.m.
Where: Town Center Community Park East in Santee
Cost: Free
Scripps Ranch 4th of July Parade
The small town of Scripps Ranch will band together for the 54th year of a local Independence Day tradition: the 4th of July Parade. Alongside the parade, locals can gather for holiday activities in Hoyt Park.
When: 10 a.m. on July 4
Where: The parade will start at the intersection of Red Cedar Drive and Ironwood Road. It will proceed toward Aviary and Canyon Lake drives.
Cost: Free
Mister A’s Restaurant’s 4th of July Special
Bankers Hill institution Mister A’s is reimagining what a July 4 meal looks like with a sumptuous, four-course special. Forget hot dogs and hamburgers — feast on lamb racks, Maine lobster and caviar from a rooftop perch at this fine-dining destination.
Interior of Bertrand at Mister A’s at dusk. (Filee photo courtesy of Mister A’s)Better yet, get above it all and catch a crystal-clear view of the night’s fireworks along with the feast.
When: Mister A’s will hold two seatings on July 4, an a la carte session from 5-6:15 p.m. and a four-course session from 6:30-9 p.m.
Where: Mister A’s Restaurant in Bankers Hill
Cost: The four-course meal costs $145 per diner.
City Cruises’ San Diego 4th of July Signature Dinner Cruise
Boarding a boat and taking to the water for the holiday – it’s a nice way to end the day, fireworks or no. The 4th of July Signature Dinner Cruise promises you’ll escape the crowds and parking nightmare in San Diego — and even feast on a chef-prepared buffet and full bar, to boot.
Colorful displays of the 2017 Big Bay Boom for the Fourth of July over San Diego Bay — as shot from Lucinda Street in Point Loma. (File photo by Chris Stone)And those aren’t the only perks — sailors can also enjoy dancing and a live DJ onboard as they sail by San Diego Bay’s famous landmarks, including the Coronado Bridge. The fireworks are just extra.
When: The cruise boards at 6:30 p.m. and will set sail from 7-10 p.m.
Where: The boat departs from Pier One Hornblower Landing in the Embarcadero.
Cost: Tickets start at $259.90, plus fees, and go up to $399.90 for a window table.
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