Your SD Guide to 4th of July

Jul 02, 2018 -

The Fourth of July is now upon us, which means that you need to make plans. Fast. No need to panic - our friends at San Diego Magazine have put together a super comprehensive list of ways you can celebrate Independence Day. There's something for everyone!

See below for our favorites:

BEACH: In our opinion, celebrating the Fourth at the beach is top notch in San Diego. Whether you're cheersing Made in SD beer at a bar or showing off your killer serves on the volleyball courts, the beach is the place to be for both young and old.

• Waterbar
  Kick off the celebration on July 3 with Waterbar’s July 4 Warm-Up, where you can get three street tacos with chicken, fish, or beef barbacoa for $7.95, or $3 each, and wash it down with $7 Don Julio Blanco Margaritas, $4 Budweiser drafts, and $5 Pacifico and Modelo drafts. Head into July 4 with live music from noon–3 p.m. paired with food specials, Jack Daniel’s and Tito’s slushies, and firecracker pop-tails. Be sure to don your finest July 4 garb for the chance to win a Jack Daniel’s surfboard, given to the person with the most patriotic outfit.
  Price: Varies
  Date: July 3-4
  Location: 4325 Ocean Boulevard, Pacific Beach
• Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas
  Hit up Union Kitchen & Tap in Encinitas on July 3 for taco and tequila specials, $4 Budweiser bottles and $5 Pabst Blue Ribbon tall boys, and stick around for their patriotic “Ain’t That America” party, which will feature all-American tunes. Continue the celebrating on July 4 with brunch from 9 a.m.– 3 p.m., followed by live music from 5–8 p.m.
  Price: Varies
  Date: July 3–4
  Location: 1108 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas
• Hotel del Coronado
  The Del kicks off Independence week early on July 1 at its annual Del Beach Bash—an iconic beach party with live music by The Mighty Untouchables, fire pits with s’mores, and fireworks.
  Price: $25 per ticket
  Date: July 1 and July 4
  Location: 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado
• Nautilus Tavern
  This La Jolla spot will be grilling up burgers and ribs with a side of potato salad and barbecue baked beans on the back patio. Wash your meal down with in-house specials on drinks and shots. And chef Shelly Velez will be selling her tasty, signature barbecue sauce for your next at-home barbecue.
  Price: Varies
  Date: July 4
  Location: 6830 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla

Not feeling the beach? No problem. There's plenty to do without getting sand in your shoes.

• Hornblower Cruises
  Take in bay and firework views aboard the Hornblower during a three-hour dinner cruise. You’ll get a glass of bubbly upon boarding, feast on a dinner buffet including a carving station and baby back ribs, and dance to DJ entertainment. They’re also hosting one- and two-hour narrated daytime harbor cruises.
  Price: from $172.95 per person for dinner cruise; from $27 for harbor cruise
  Date: July 4
  Location: 1800 North Harbor Drive, Downtown for dinner cruise; 970 North Harbor Drive for harbor cruise
• Rancho Bernardo Inn
  Throughout summer, families can enjoy “dive-inn” movies on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and special festivities for Fourth of July, including an all-American barbecue at Santiago Pool, kids activities, and a drive-in movie on the Fourth.
  Price: Varies
  Date: July 4
  Location: 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo
• The Oceanaire
  The sophisticated seafood restaurant will be offering a three-course prix-fixe dinner for two. Dine on spicy “firecracker” shrimp, black and bleu beef tenderloin tips, grilled seasonal salmon fillet, and white chocolate cheesecake, all paired with wine.
  Price: $70 per couple
  Date: July 1-8
  Location: 400 J Street, Gaslamp Quarter

Last but not least, FIREWORKS.

Carlsbad
Red, White and BOOM!
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Price: price of admission
Date: July 4
Location: Legoland California Resort, 1 Legoland Drive

Chula Vista
Chula Vista 4th Fest
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: Free
Date: July 4
Location: Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, 2800 Olympic Parkway

El Cajon
4th of July Picnic and Fireworks
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: Free
Date: July 4
Location: Kennedy Park, 1675 East Madison Avenue

Escondido
Independence Day Festival & Fireworks
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: Free or $5 VIP area
Date: July 4
Location: Grape Day Park, 321 North Broadway

Del Mar
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: price of fair admission
Date: July 4
Location: San Diego County Fair, 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard

Downtown
Big Bay Boom
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: Free
Date: July 4
Location: San Diego Bay

Imperial Beach
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: Free
Date: July 4
Location: Imperial Beach Pier, 10 Evergreen Avenue

La Mesa
Lake Murray Music Fest and Fireworks Show
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: Free
Date: July 4
Location: Lake Murray Community Park, 7001 Murray Park Drive

Mission Bay
Fireworks Spectacular Show
Time: TBA
Price: Price of admission
Date: July 4-7
Location: SeaWorld San Diego, 500 Sea World Drive

National City
National City’s 4th of July Carnival
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: Free
Date: July 4
Location: Kimball Park, East 12th Street

Ocean Beach
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: Free
Date: July 4
Location: Ocean Beach Pier, Niagara Avenue

Oceanside
City of Oceanside Fireworks Show
Time: 9 p.m
Price: Free
Date: July 3
Location: Rancho Del Oro Road

Point Loma
4th of July at the Cabrillo National Monument
Time: 6 to 10:30 p.m.
Price: $50 per vehicle
Date: July 4
Location: Cabrillo National Monument, 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive

Rancho Bernardo
Rancho Bernardo’s the Spirit of the Fourth Community Fair
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: Free
Date: July 4
Location: Bernardo Heights Middle School, 12990 Paseo Lucido

San Marcos
Celebrate Freedom, A Fireworks Extravaganza
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: Free
Date: July 4
Location: Bradley Park, 1587 Linda Vista Drive

Santee
Santee Salutes
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: Free
Date: July 4
Location: Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive

Vista
Independence Day Celebration
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: Parking is $15–30 per vehicle; admission is $5
Date: July 4
Location: Moonlight Amphitheatre, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive

Image Credit: By U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Scott Taylor