The beaches, bays and parks will be packed with thousands of visitors and residents grillin’ and chillin’ on Independence Day this Monday. But the culmination of a great Fourth of July weekend is finding a great spot to watch the tremendous fireworks shows. In San Diego, there are at least three major fireworks shows that can be seen from certain points in the area. Fireworks At 9 p.m. the annual Big Bay Boom July Fourth Fireworks Show kicks off. The fireworks are launched from barges around north San Diego Bay. The largest fireworks display in the county can be seen from various locations on the bay, Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero and even down at Seaport Village.
At 9:30 p.m. SeaWorld starts their Sea to Shining Sea Fourth of July Fireworks Show. The SeaWorld show and the Big Bay Boom can be seen from a variety of spots around the beach and bay.
In Ocean Beach, at 9 p.m., fireworks will be launched off of the pier. Grab a blanket, find a spot and watch from the shore.
As usual, picnics and beach days are always a good choice in San Diego and would be smart for Sunday in order to stakeout a spot for the fireworks displays.
On the water, the Maritime Museum is offering dinner and fireworks on the bay this year. The observation deck from the historic Berkeley ferry provides a fantastic view of the Big Bay Boom fireworks show. Dinner will be provided and children are welcome. The Maritime Museum is also offering a separate experience aboard the Californian for those looking to get closer to the show. Tickets to both events include admission to the museum and exhibits. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.sdmaritime.org.
For a beautiful sunset and a panoramic view of most of the fireworks shows Mount Soledad is a great option. Be sure to head up there early to find parking.
Phantom fireworks would like to remind anyone using consumer fireworks that the explosions can scare both pets and veterans and to be aware and considerate. Beach & bikinis
Throughout the holiday weekend there is plenty to do on and around the beach.
At Miller’s Field in Pacific Beach there will be the first Queen of the Beach bikini contest. Miller’s Field is not known for traditional bar events so the bikini contest on July 3 starting at noon is sure to be fun. The winner will receive $500 cash and a beach cruiser. The second and third place finishers will also receive prizes. Email [email protected] to enter. The Local Pacific Beach, 809 Thomas Ave., is holding a lumpia eating contest 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 2. How fast can you eat 50 hand-rolled lumpia and chug a pint of Dos Equis lager beer? The maximum number of contestants is 32 and to register, visit thelocalpb.com.
At SeaWorld, the park will have extended hours throughout the holiday weekend. This is part of the Summer Nights at SeaWorld event and means the fun can last just a little bit longer. Visitors who spend the Fourth at the park are able to stick around for the fireworks show that night.
Whether you spend the day on the beach, bar hopping, at a park or exploring the city, San Diego has plenty to offer for the Fourth of July weekend and extravagant fireworks shows planned to top it all off. Morning cleanup
The morning after thousands of residents and visitors played and relaxed on San Diego beaches there will be a mess to clean up. With this in mind, the Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter will be leading the cleanup efforts and they’re asking the community to join them.
On Tuesday, July 5, the Surfrider Foundation invites beachlovers of all ages to join in the Morning After Mess cleanup from 8 to 11 a.m. at one of the four hosted locations: Ocean Beach Pier and Oceanside Pier sites and partner organizations I Love A Clean San Diego and San Diego Coastkeeper at the Belmont Park and Crystal Pier sites.
There is no need to pre-register, any participants under the age of 18 will need a parent or legal guardian present to sign for them. There will be snacks and the first 50 volunteers at each location will be offered a free hat. Last year, more than 650 volunteers removed 1,410 pounds of trash and 362 pounds of recycling from four local beaches in three hours. The trash included 489 plastic bags, 983 pieces of Styrofoam, and 14,796 cigarette butts.