Where to watch San Diego's Fourth of July celebrations
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Last year's Big Bay Boom. Photo: Claire Trageser/Axios
We hope you like explosive nighttime displays, because San Diego is full of them this July Fourth weekend.
The big picture: Cities countywide are throwing parties to celebrate America's 250th birthday with fireworks and drone shows, parades and festivals.
🎆 San Diego's Big Bay Boom, billed as California's largest fireworks show, is the city's main event downtown.
- The 18-minute spectacle starts at 9:15pm, and you can see from the waterfront, hotels, apartment balconies or from a boat.
- Get your lawn chairs and blankets set up early to watch from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero, Coronado Ferry Landing or the USS Midway.
- Park at downtown lots or free meters, and MTS is running expanded train, trolley and bus services.
🎢 Watch the SeaWorld fireworks from the park, around Mission Bay or at Kate Sessions Park.
🎉 Coronado's festivities start with the annual parade, then live music and fireworks at the golf course.
🧨 Enjoy the fireworks fest at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center.
🚁 Drones taking over La Jolla Shores, with views from the beach, bluff or the water in a kayak or paddle board.
🥳 Oceanside's party, with fireworks and drones, is Friday because July 3 is the city's birthday.
🎡 The County Fair puts on a spectacular show in Del Mar.
💥 In Carlsbad, Legoland's "Red, White and Boom!" is putting on a 3D show and resorts are throwing parties.
🇺🇸 Santee Salutes is one of East County's biggest Fourth of July celebrations with live music, food vendors, family activities and a fireworks show at Town Center Community Park.
🎇 Vista's Independence Day Celebration returns to Brengle Terrace Park with live entertainment, food, family fun and fireworks.
🎆 San Marcos' Fourth of July Celebration at Bradley Park features a DJ, community activities, food vendors and an evening fireworks display.
🎉 El Cajon at Kennedy Park is hosting a free Independence Day celebration with live music, games, food vendors and fireworks to cap off the night.
🚂 Old Poway Park's Fourth of July Celebration offers a classic small-town holiday with steam train rides, patriotic music, living history, crafts and family-friendly activities.
⛰️ Shhh, we didn't tell you this but you can get a sneaky good view of multiple shows from the top of Cowles Mountain.
🦈 If you don't like fireworks, consider seeing "Jaws" at La Paloma in Encinitas. They have afternoon and evening viewings.
And remember, consumer fireworks are illegal in both the city and county of San Diego, so let's leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.