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Best Places To Celebrate July 4th!

By Courtney Daly-Pavone June 29, 2024

FREE Santee Salutes. Patriotic ceremony, fireworks and more. 2–10 pm. Parking $10. Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Dr. www.cityofsanteeca.gov

FREE Scripps Ranch 4th of July Parade & Festival. Parade, 10 am from Ironwood to Aviary Dr.; festival, 11 am–1 pm at Hoyt Park, 10800 Canyon Lake Dr. www.scrippsranch.org

FREE Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration. Celebrate our country’s independence “turn-of-the-20th-century-style” with patriotic entertainment, crafts, train displays and old-fashioned games. 10 am–4 pm. Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd. Poway. www.poway.org

Crown City Classic. 12K & 5K and kids half mile run along the Coronado Bay. Start & finish at Tidelands Park. $29–$79. Register: www.crowncityrun.com

FREE 4th of July Veterans Park Ceremony. Honor those who are currently serving and have selflessly served our country. 11 am. Veterans Park, 14134 Midland Rd., Poway. www.poway.org

July 4th Run & Ride. 10K & 2 mile run or 22.5 mile gravel bike ride. Starting on Red Cedar Dr. & ending at Hoyt Park, Scripps Ranch. Register: www.runride.org

UC Celebration. Run, parade, games, book barn, pancake breakfast and more. Standley Park, 3585 Governor Dr. Details: https://uccelebration.com

FREE Julian’s 4th of July Parade. Theme “Soar Like an Eagle.” Pre-parade activities, 9:30 am; parade, 12 noon. Main St. Details: www.julianparade.com

FREE Military, Fire & Law Day. Active or retired military, firefighters and law enforcement personnel receive free admission with a valid ID. 10 am–4 pm. The Wave Waterpark, 101 Wave Dr., Vista. www.thewavewaterpark.com

FREE Big Bay Boom Fireworks. Four barges on San Diego Bay. Watch from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Marina District and Coronado Ferry Landing. 9 pm. www.bigbayboom.com

Red White & Boom! Unforgettable fireworks that explode into 3D LEGO bricks right before your eyes with special viewing glasses. Themed entertainment, lawn games, fireworks and more. Included with admission. LEGOLAND, 1 LEGOLAND Dr., Carlsbad. Tickets: www.legoland.com

July 4th BBQ Dinner & Fireworks Viewing. Enjoy spectacular fireworks viewing from the McKinney Deck of the 1898 Berkeley. Dinner for purchase. 7–9:30 pm; fireworks, 9 pm. $25. Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Dr. www.sdmaritime.org

FREE Fireworks in El Cajon. Train rides, crafts, live music and more. Starting at 2 pm; fireworks, 9 pm. Kennedy Park, 1675 E. Madison Ave. www.elcajon.gov

FREE San Marcos Red, White and Boom! Carnival games, jumpers and more. Entertainment, 6 pm; fireworks, 9 pm. Bradley Park, 1587 Linda Vista Dr. www.san-marcos.net  

Fireworks Spectacular at the Fair. 9 pm. $20–$25; includes fair admission. Corona Grandstand Stage, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. www.sdfair.com

4th of July Fireworks. 9 pm. SeaWorld, Interstate 5, exit SeaWorld Dr. www.seaworld.com/sandiego

Fourth of July Fireworks in Poway. Enjoy two spectacular firework shows as they light up the sky over the Poway High School Stadium ($6, gates open 6 pm for games, activities and more) and Poway Sportsplex (12349 McIvers Ct.). Fireworks, 9 pm. www.poway.org

FREE Coronado Fourth of July. Parade, 10 am; concert, 4 pm; fireworks, 9 pm. Schedule: www.coronadofourthofjuly.com

Spirit of the Fourth. Activities start at 9 am at Webb Park; parade, 3:30 pm; concert, 6 pm. Fireworks, 9 pm at Rancho Bernardo High School, 13010 Paseo Lucido. www.spiritofthefourth.com

FREE Chula Vista 4th Fest & Fireworks. 7–9:30 pm; fireworks, 9 pm. Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, 2800 Olympic Pkwy. www.chulavistaca.gov

4th of July Fireworks Viewing Party. From Midway's iconic flight deck with live entertainment, activities and the best view in town. 6–10 pm. $35. 910 N. Harbor Dr. www.midway.org 

FREE Lake Murray Fireworks & Music Fest. Music Fest, 11 am–9 pm; fireworks, 9 pm. Lake Murray Community Park, 7001 Murray Park Dr. www.lakemurrayfireworks.org

FREE Ramona July 4th Family Picnic & Fireworks Show. 4–9:15 pm; fireworks 9 pm. Olive Peirce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Ln. www.ramonachamber.com

FREE 4th of July Extravaganza: Parade & Fireworks. Parade, 10 am at Old Town Temecula, then head to the Ronald Reagan Sports Park for live music, vendors and fun zone. 2–10 pm; fireworks, 9 pm. www.temeculaca.gov/1087/4th-of-july

FREE Imperial Beach 4th of July Fireworks. 9 pm. Imperial Beach Pier. www.ib-chamber.com

July 4th Fireworks Cruise. Music synced to fireworks. 8:30–9:45 pm. 990 N. Harbor Dr. www.flagshipsd.com

4th of July Fireworks Cruise. View SeaWorld’s spectacular Independence Day fireworks. 8–10 pm. Bahia Resort Hotel, Mission Bay. Reservations: www.bahiahotel.com

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