July 1, 2021

As the coronavirus finally recedes ahead of a wave of vaccinations, residents of San Diegan are understandably ready for the July 4 celebrations they missed in 2020.

Here’s The Times of San Diego’s complete guide to post-pandemic fireworks, from Coronado to Oceanside, and SeaWorld to Ramona.

Most are free to the public, but you may need to pay for parking or arrive very early. And take a mask just in case.

The biggest fireworks display of all is back. The 20th Big Bay Boom at the Port of San Diego can be seen across town, as well as on live TV from Los Angeles to Sacramento.

The 20-minute show begins at 9 p.m. with rockets and Roman candles fired from four barges spaced along the bay from the South Embarcadero to Shelter Island.

About 500,000 residents and visitors are expected to flock to the bay to witness the patriotic spectacle. The most popular viewing spots are Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Spanish Landing, North Embarcadero, Broadway Pier, Embarcadero Parks North and South, Cesar E. Chavez Park, and Coronado Ferry Landing.

Parking will be an issue, so consider taking the MTS cart, which will run more frequently on July 4th. You can also try the SpotHero parking reservation app.

The annual Crown City Parade returns on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. on First Street and Orange Avenue and ending at Churchill Place and Ocean Boulevard. Sunday at 9 p.m. there will be fireworks displays above Glorietta Bay, visible from the golf course or Stingray Point, while The Big Bay Boom will be visible to the north of the island.

The scaled-down San Diego County Fair ends Sunday with the traditional fireworks display at 9 p.m. It’s best viewed from the Del Mar Exhibition Center, although residents of the surrounding areas of Del Mar and Solana Beach can see it.

The city-sponsored fireworks display returns to Kennedy Park at 9 p.m. Sunday. The park will be open, so bring a blanket or chairs and watch the show.

The fireworks will return over Grape Day Park in downtown Escondido, taking off at 9 p.m. from the Woodward Avenue parking lot. It’s just fireworks this year, minus the usual live music and food trucks, but residents are welcome to bring chairs and blankets and enjoy the 15-minute show.

Red, white and boom from Legoland! the celebration takes place throughout the day on Sunday and ends with patriotic music and fireworks. The pyrotechnics include bursts of Lego bricks. The event is included in the regular entrance to the park.

Oceanside traditionally schedules fireworks a day earlier, to celebrate its incorporation on July 3. The show starts at 9 p.m. on Saturday at El Corazon Park. The recommended viewing area is along Rancho Del Oro Drive, from Oceanside Boulevard north to Mesa Drive. The city’s Parks and Recreation Division suggests arriving at 6 p.m. with beach chairs or blankets, purchasing food, and enjoying the musical entertainment before the fireworks display.

You can enjoy the 9 p.m. fireworks on Sunday at two locations in Poway – Poway High School and the Poway Sportsplex. The high school doors open at 6 p.m. and the event includes games and a DJ. Admission is $ 5.

Nearby Lake Poway will remain open as a viewing area for the high school fireworks. Parking for residents is free, but $ 10 for others.

There is no parking charge at the expansive Sportsplex on the south side of town.

Earlier Sunday, you can enjoy Old Poway Park’s “Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration” from 10 am to 4 pm. Tasty treats and train rides will be available for a small fee.

The fireworks display is scheduled for 9 p.m. Sunday at the field behind Olive Pierce Middle School with a soundtrack on Star 94.1FM. Food vendors will be on site from 4 p.m. The event is presented by Ramona Kiwanis, Ramona Rotary and Ramona Chamber of Commerce. Contributions are welcome.

The fireworks will be fired at 9 p.m. at the Rancho Bernardo High School complex. Viewers are asked to park in all other spaces on the student ground to allow room for chairs and social distancing. The “US” group will provide entertainment from 6 p.m., and picnics are encouraged.

Kaiser Permanente is sponsoring the San Marcos fireworks display at 9 p.m. Sunday at Bradley Park. The city suggests taking advantage of the display from your own home to stay COVID safe.

The annual patriotic Santee Salutes celebration is back, with food trucks lined up at the Downtown Community Park at 4 p.m., followed by a ceremony at 6 p.m., music at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. The event is free, but parking is $ 10 and available to purchase online.

For residents on the east side of town, a second fireworks display will be visible above West Hills Park, although the park itself is closed.

The iconic Mission Bay theme park will celebrate Independence Day on Sunday with a 15-minute fireworks display to a patriotic soundtrack at 9 p.m. The best view is from the park, of course, but the display will be visible in many areas of San Diego.

Brengle Terrace Park and the Moonlight Amphitheater open at 5 p.m. Sunday for Vista’s July 4th celebration. San Diego-based rock band DecaDames will perform on stage starting at 7:35 p.m. and again after the fireworks display at 9:00 p.m. Entrance to the park costs $ 15 and entry to the amphitheater costs an additional $ 5. Guests can bring chairs, blankets, and food into the park, and there will be food and liquor for sale. Masks are mandatory.

Are we missing a public fireworks display? Let us know at [email protected]

Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metro area. Our journalists cover politics, crime, business, sports, education, the arts, the military and daily life in San Diego. No subscription is required and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.