Fired Up for the Fourth
WEB-EXCLUSIVE: Still don't know what you're doing on the Fourth of July? Here are some ideas.
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From fireworks shows and barbecues to concerts and festivals, the possibilities for Fourth of July festivities are broad and varied. Check out our list of activities to help you decide how to celebrate Independence Day. And make sure to buy tickets early, some of them sell out.
Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza
Gaze at the skies above Doheny State Beach while tuning in to KSBR 88.5 FM for a synchronized musical score. Bike or walk to your favorite viewing spot, or take the free shuttle buses from Dana Hills High School to Dana Point Harbor from 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m (note: they do not run during the fireworks show).
34624 Golden Lantern, Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point
9 p.m.
Price: Free
949.248.3530 :: danapoint.org/recreation
Fireworks from the Water
Enjoy this all-ages fireworks cruise, co-sponsored by Dana Wharf Sport Fishing. Board the sport fishing boat Sum Fun and enjoy refreshments while watching the fireworks and gazing at the beautiful harbor lights from the ocean.
Boat departs from Dana Wharf Sport Fishing (in the harbor in front of Turk's), 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point
Boat boards at 7:30 p.m. and returns at 10 p.m.
Price: $15 adults 18-54, $5 seniors 55+ and youths four-17; kids three and under free. Registration required
949.248.3530 :: danapoint.org/recreation
Fireworks Dinner Cruise on the Dana Pride
Take part in this festive dinner cruise to enjoy the fireworks while indulging in a BBQ buffet and desserts. Keep an eye out for surrounding cities’ fireworks shows too. Non-alcoholic beverages are included, but be sure to bring cash if you would like to buy alcoholic beverages.
Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point
7:30-9:30 p.m.
Price: $79 adults, $39 children; four and under are free. Register up until one hour before the event
1.800.979.3370 :: danawharf.com/cruises
4th of July Festival and Fireworks Show
Enjoy live music from The Jann Browne Band along with additional entertainment, such as balloon artists, face-painters, stilt-walkers, bounce houses, a petting zoo, and more. Games are free and include small prizes. Food (but no alcohol) is available for purchase – don’t miss out on the funnel cakes, beef jerky, ice cream, and pizza. Finally, sit back and enjoy the fireworks show.
Fullerton High School Stadium at the corner of Berkeley and Lemon, Fullerton
5-9:30 p.m. (Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. and last 20 minutes.)
Price: Nominal fees may apply for activities (approximately $2-$4). Free parking
714.738.3167 :: cityoffullerton.com
4th of July Parade & Pier Festival
Check out this three-day long festival in Huntington Beach. Watch the parade during the day and then enjoy some family-friendly entertainment at the Pier Festival until evening. Watch the fireworks shoot from the end of the pier and over the ocean at dusk on July 4.
Main Street, Huntington Beach
July 3-5
Parade: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Pier Festival Entertainment on Main Street: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday
Fireworks Show on July 4: 9 p.m.
Price: $5 Lake Park Breakfast; $20 Lake Park Bleacher seating for parade ($15 pre-sale); $10 fireworks VIP seating
714.536.5486 :: hb4thofjuly.org
4th of July Brunch and Parade
Enjoy an all-you-can-eat benefit brunch put on by the Bolsa Chica Conservancy at Fred’s Mexican Café, where you will have a fantastic view of downtown Huntington’s parade. All proceeds benefit the Bolsa Chica Conservancy’s Wetland Science Education Programs and Habitat Restoration Initiatives.
300 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach
9-11 a.m.
Price: $35 adults, $15 children 10 and under
714.846.1114 :: bolsachica.org
714.374.8226 :: fredsmexicancafe.com
4th of July Celebration
Spend your day at the Crown Valley Community Park with some recreational swimming, a concert, a carnival, and finally, a community walk to the Regional Park for fireworks.
29751 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel
Lap Swim ages 14+: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
20th Anniversary 4th of July Carnival: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Recreational Swim: noon-5 p.m.
Concert at the Crown Valley Park Amphitheater: 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Community Walk to regional park to watch fireworks from the grass (three-quarter mile walk each way): 8:15 p.m.
Fireworks at Laguna Niguel Regional Park: 9 p.m.
Price: Free
949.425.5100 :: ci.laguna-niguel.ca.us
The Mission Viejo Annual Street Faire and Fireworks Spectacular
Celebrate with the families of the Mission Viejo community with carnival rides and games, food booths, crafters, a wine and beer garden, contests, and prizes. Free entertainment will be provided all day, with a special performance by Johnny Contardo (the original voice of ShaNaNa) at 6 p.m. Just when you think the fun is over, a spectacular fireworks display takes place at dusk.
Olympiad Road between Melinda Road & Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo
Noon-9 p.m.
Price: Free
949.830.7066 :: mvactivities.com
Newport Dunes Fireworks Show
Enjoy this Fourth of July with a day full of family fun, complete with a volleyball tournament, a limbo contest, a horseshoe tournament, a cake walk, a hula hoop contest, a bounce house, and much more. And of course, finish the day off by watching the fireworks show from the sand.
1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach
Games start at 10 a.m.; fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Price: $35 fee per car; some additional activities have participation fees
949.729.3863 :: newportdunes.com
San Juan Capistrano 4th of July Celebration
Celebrate at San Juan Capistrano Sports Park with mechanical rides, bounce houses, food and exhibit booths, and family games for all ages. Finish the day off with a live classic rock 'n roll performance by The Hodads at 6 p.m., and the fireworks show at 9 p.m.
25925 Camino Del Avion, The Sports Park, San Juan Capistrano
3-9:30 p.m.
Price: Admission is free; individual tickets and specially priced wristbands may be purchased for rides
949.493.5911 :: sanjuancapistrano.org
Boeing Rocket Lab at Discovery Science Center
Blast off Fourth of July weekend with the Discovery Science Center’s opening of the Boeing Rocket Lab – the first exhibit built inside the giant cube. Opening day will have a band and plenty of American flags for you to kick off your family’s July 4 festivities as you discover your inner astronaut and learn about the science of space, rockets and engineering.
2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana
July 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Price: $12.95 adults, $9.95 children (three-17)
714.542.2823 :: discoverycube.org
4th of July BBQ at the Aquarium of the Pacific
Get a fish-eye view of the Queen Mary fireworks and enjoy the Aquarium of the Pacific at night, while enjoying a delicious BBQ buffet with home-style grilled entrees and delicious desserts.
320 Golden Shore, Long Beach
5-10 p.m.; BBQ dinner 6-8 p.m. (normal admission to the aquarium 9 a.m.-10 p.m.)
Price: $11.95 for everyone after 5 p.m.; $20.95 regular admission adults, $11.95 regular admission children ages three-11, $17.95 regular admission seniors. Aquarium plus dinner: $34 adult, $27 child (tickets may be purchased at aquarium, but tend to sell out; purchase tickets online or by phone)
562.590.3100 :: aquariumofpacific.org
Queen Mary BBQ, Brews and Red White & Blues
Enjoy an old-fashioned Carolina, Texas, Kansas City, and St. Louis BBQ with corn-on-the-cob, baked beans, funnel cake, and more aboard the world-famous Queen Mary. Finish off your meal at the build-your-own strawberry shortcake station. Check out the three live bands performing at two different stages, strolling entertainers and a children’s area where you can watch the Fourth of July fireworks show.
1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach
July 3-4, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; fireworks on July 4 at 9 p.m.; DJ on the back of the ship from 7-11 p.m.
Price: $24.95 adult, $12.95 children ages five-11, $21.95 military/seniors; parking $15 (buy tickets online or purchase day of the event)
877.342.0738 :: queenmary.com
Long Beach Kids’ July 4th Bike Parade
Decorate your bikes with your kids for this annual patriotic “procession on wheels” that follows the beach bike path in Long Beach. Make sure your kid (12 and under) competes in one of the many competitions, such as the Patriotic Oratory Competition, watermelon seed spitting and patriotic costume contest.
1 S. Granada Ave. (at Ocean Boulevard), Belmont Shore, Long Beach
10 a.m. (registration at 9:15 a.m.)
Price: Free (free parking in Granada Beach Lot for the event; metered street parking)
justin@justinrudd.com :: justinrudd.com/bikeparade
4th of July Celebration: A John Denver Tribute
Head to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater for this John Denver tribute, with Jim Curry singing “Rocky Mountain High,” “Sunshine On My Shoulders” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” along with many other hits by John Denver. There will also be performances of our patriotic favorites, a traditional salute to the U.S. armed forces and a Fourth of July fireworks finale.
8808 Irvine Center Dr., Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Irvine
8 p.m.
Price: Individual tickets $25 (lawn) to $105 (orchestra); kids under 14 are half-priced in most sections with the purchase of an adult ticket
714.755.5799 :: pacificsymphony.org
