Whether you want to spend a low-key day on the water or ogle impressive fireworks displays, California offers a Fourth of July party for you.
This year you can choose just about any region or town in the Golden State and you’ll find a good celebration. Some offer century-old traditions, classic parades, or quirky activities—such as sing-alongs, worm races, or anvil firings.
Here’s a sampling of some of the many ways to observe the holiday, from the biggest pyrotechnic shows in the bigger cities to days-long parties in small towns. And if you miss these, don’t worry—there are plenty of July events to enjoy the rest of the month.
Enjoy Booming Fireworks Displays
California’s biggest hubs offer showstopper fireworks. The main display in San Francisco is best seen over Fisherman’s Wharf, for instance, while South Lake Tahoe’s synchronized, top-rated fireworks display can be seen from all around town (though watching from a luxury yacht on the lake offers its own perspective). Nearby, you can check out an eco-friendly drone show—the largest of its kind, ever, with 300 of them—over the lake at Tahoe City's 4th of July Celebration.
In Los Angeles County, one of the biggest displays can be enjoyed in Marina del Rey, which you can enjoy with synchronized music from Burton Chace Park (or join the two-hour cruise on City Experiences). Farther south in Orange County, watch the Newport Beach Fireworks Extravaganza over the town’s Back Bay, or head to San Diego County for the Big Bay Boom, an elaborately choreographed show visible from downtown, Shelter Island, and Seaport Village.
Celebrate at California’s Theme Parks
There are fireworks every night at Disneyland Resort, but its 4th of July edition features patriotic music. Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios Hollywood each offer their own special fireworks that evening, and from July 4–6, you can see fireworks nightly at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
In San Diego County, LEGOLAND California salutes the nation’s birthday with its annual Red, White & Boom event, while SeaWorld San Diego celebrates with live music plus fireworks as part of its Summer Spectacular series.
These destination-specific celebrations below are listed north to south:
Holiday by the Lighthouse, Crescent City
The holiday parade and festival in this Del Norte County town offers the North Coast’s largest fireworks display, lighting up the sky over the Battery Point Lighthouse. Come for a full holiday that typically includes sandcastle-building contests, a fun run, live music, and a beer garden at Beach Front Park.
Fireworks and Anvil Firing, Weaverville
The Trinity County town exudes all sorts of Americana: the Weaverville Historic District includes a museum, an old blacksmith shop, a stamp mill, and a sawmill. Celebrate the holiday from July 3–5 with a fun run, barrel racing, a bull-riding championship, and fireworks. On the 4th, come for the historic anvil firing (a rocket launch–style display involving two anvils and some gun powder) at 6 a.m., followed by a pancake breakfast and a parade.
Fireworks and Auto Races, Lassen County
The Shasta Cascade’s Lassen County celebrates two traditions for the holiday: auto races at Susanville’s Lassen County Fairgrounds and the annual fireworks spectacular afterward. Come back later in the month for the annual Lassen County Fair, running July 17–21.
Celebrate Early on July 3, Colfax
In Gold Country, this Placer County town is a hotbed for July 3rd festivities with its car show, petting zoo, and evening fireworks. Fill out the holiday by going to the neighboring towns of Roseville and Lincoln on the Fourth for their own displays.
Three Nights of Pyrotechnics, Lake County
The celebrations in Lake County include three consecutive evenings of fireworks against the backdrop of Clear Lake, California’s largest freshwater lake. On July 4, enjoy them near Lakeport, then at Konocti Vista Casino and Resort and at Clearlake Oaks on the 5th. Round out the holiday on the 6th with the 66th Annual Redbud Parade and the 54th Annual International Worm Race & Festival, all followed by fireworks in the town of Clearlake.
Party and a Rodeo, Rancho Cordova
Head to Hagan Park in Rancho Cordova on July 3–4 for two days of road racing, carnival rides, a beer garden, and concerts, culminating with fireworks on the 4th. To extend your holiday, come early and head to nearby Folsom for the three-day Folsom Pro Rodeo (July 3–5) with classic events like painted ladies, flying cowboys, and mutton busting.
Food Trucks and Fireworks, Vacaville
The Solano County town of Vacaville throws its annual party at Andrews Park. During the evening, choose from food trucks, let kids play on the hilltop Great Wonders playground, and listen to music from a “top secret band” before the fireworks begin.
Mono County Celebration, Bridgeport
The Mono County town of Bridgeport has been throwing Independence Day parties every year since 1862. The four-day festivities (July 3–6) include a fun run, watermelon-eating contests, and parade that showcases the local culture, including the Bridgeport Paiute Tribe. At night, the fireworks reflect off the Bridgeport Reservoir and the High Sierra mountains.
Gold Rush–Style Party, Columbia
Enjoy a seriously old-school July Fourth at the Columbia State Historic Park, the preserved Gold Rush town in Tuolumne County. The day begins with a Black Powder Musket Salute and a concert, then offers family-friendly contests that were popular back in the day such as watermelon-eating and nail-pounding competitions, a cake walk, and a greased-pole climb.
Fun Run & Fireworks, Concord
The East Bay town of Concord kicks off the holiday with a morning fun run and parade from the Todos Santos Plaza, then features fireworks in the evening. During the day, consider a tasting tour along the Contra Costa County Beer Trail.
Freedom Fest, Morgan Hill
The Freedom Fest in the Silicon Valley town of Morgan Hill goes back to 1876, and has longstanding features such as the “Patriotic Sing" at the downtown amphitheater, a fun run, and a Cruise and Car Show. Festivities begin July 3 with live music and the sing-along downtown and culminate on the Fourth with a parade, car show, and the “Fireworks on the Green” event.
Baseball and National Icons, Visalia
The Central Valley town of Visalia makes a convenient launching pad for exploring Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, home of both the General Sherman Tree and the Crystal Cave. Add some holiday festivities by going to the July 4 baseball game and fireworks hosted by the minor league Visalia Rawhide (a low-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks).
Fireworks Over the Pier, Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach celebrates the holiday with local food vendors, live music, craft exhibitors, and fireworks over the pier. A great perch for enjoying it: Vespera Resort, which has mostly ocean-view rooms and hosts its own party for guests. Check out more San Luis Obispo County events, including celebrations in Atascadero and Avila Beach.
Fireworks Above the Water, Big Bear Lake
Water and mountain peaks provide the setting for a fireworks display that goes off over Big Bear Lake. A cool way to see it: Take the gondola to the top of Snow Summit for the Above the Boom party with live music.
Shop Then Watch Fireworks, Camarillo
Make the most of holiday-weekend sales in this Ventura County town: Park at the Camarillo Premium Outlets, browse the stores and sidewalk sales, then pick up dinner from the food trucks before fireworks start at 9 p.m.
Fireworks Over Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard
Spend the day enjoying the farmers market, electric boat parade, and family parade at Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, then watch fireworks over the water starting at 9. Extend your weekend by taking a day trip out to Channel Islands National Park.
American Flag Ferris Wheel, Santa Monica
Undoubtedly, the Ferris wheel at Pacific Park is Santa Monica’s most recognizable landmark. On July 4, the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel lights up with red, white, and blue colors, patterns, and transitions. Keep an eye out for one distinctive pattern—a 130-foot-tall, animated waving American flag.
Fireworks from the Water, Long Beach
Watch Long Beach’s annual fireworks over Queensway Bay, either from free viewing locations along the downtown waterfront (such as Shoreline Village and Rainbow Harbor), or from a boat on the water. Harbor Breeze Cruises is offering three fireworks-watching cruises, and the Queen Mary is hosting a family-friendly night of music and entertainment on the docked ship, including access to its historic Observation Bar.
Fireworks and Dining Deals, Greater Palm Springs
A variety of events dot the Greater Palm Springs area on July 4, including fireworks displays in Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage. The holiday is also a great time to download the free Summer Eats Pass, which includes special prix fixe menus and deals in the area.
Fireworks Over the Pacific, Dana Point
Throughout the year, Dana Point’s Doheny State Beach is a great spot for whale watching, but it’s also the prime spot for watching fireworks on the Fourth. Other good vantage points include Dana Point Harbor or the cliffs of Lantern Bay Park. For a different view, book a cruise with Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching or Captain Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari to see the show from the water.
Golf Carts and Dinghies, Catalina Island
The mostly car-free Catalina Island observes Independence Day with its own unique personality: a golf cart parade on Casino Way, a dinghy parade on the harbor, live music on the Wrigley Stage, and then fireworks at both Avalon Bay and Two Harbors. The festivities also includes a performance on July 3 by the USC Trojan Marching Band.