Lighting Up the Sky

Fireworks and the 4th of July go together like San Diego and sunny skies.  This year you won't be able to look up into the night's sky without seeing a fantastic display of pyrotechnics.  On Monday, July 4th, we've got you covered for where to go and what to see.

For those who might want a little more history in their observance  of America's Independence, head to Historic Old Town for "An 1800s Fourth of July."  From 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM Old Town will be hosting a slew of activities that will date back to the early 19th century, back when Old Town was actually the new part of town.  A brass band will begin the festivities followed by patriotic speeches and a flag raising ceremony.  There will be a parade around the plaza and historical crafts, games, and contests that all date back over 200 years.  Join in the egg toss, cow chip throwing (yes, that kind of cow chip!), cherry pit spitting, and a delicious pie eating contest.  Park staff and volunteers will be dressed in period costumes and will be roaming the grounds to answer any questions or explain more about the history of the area.

San Diego usually has the latest in firework innovation and technology, which is yet another reason why our town is simply the best.  Here are four different destinations you can chose to sit back and take in the electrifying light shows:

For those who want to spend the day in lovely La Jolla, you can hang out at the beach and then make your way to Ellen Browning Scripps Park for the celebration which will begin at 8:00 PM.  This picturesque park will get crowded so we suggest arriving early to enjoy the sunset and then hang out for the fireworks, which begin at 9:00 PM.  

Leave it to unique Ocean Beach to coordinate their firework show with music at a local radio station. There will be free parking through out the neighborhood, like at Main Beach Parking Lot and Ocean Beach Pier.  Bring a picnic and a radio and tune into KyXy 96.5 at 9:00 PM to enjoy music to go along with the firework display, which will be shot off the pier.  Check out their website HERE for more details on the fun.  

The Maritime Museum will also be a great place to spend the afternoon exploring the different exhibits and then staying to watch the fireworks aboard one of their ships.  They are offering a picnic dinner from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM ($35 for adults, $18 for children) and if you want to arrive right before the show starts there are discounted tickets for 8:30 PM entry ($10 for adults, $8 for children), so you can enjoy the fireworks while floating on a historic vessel.    

The grand show stopper will be the "Big Bay Boom!" in downtown San Diego, the largest fireworks show in the county.  This is a free event and to accommodate the crowds the Port of San Diego has set up free parking lots with a shuttle service to Harbor Island and Shelter Island.  Fireworks will be lit simultaneously on barges placed in six different locations in San Diego Bay, creating a horseshoe display of booms and exploding lights.  The show starts at 9:00 PM and will last for 17 minutes.  

Mission Bay will be the perfect place to set up camp during the 4th of July, with convenient vacation rentals scattered all over Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, and Mission Bay.  If going out on Monday evening is too overwhelming you can always catch a glimpse of some of these shows from the comfort of your vacation rental home.  Either way, this is going to be an exciting year to spend by the sea.  

Let's Celebrate the 4th of July!

The 4th of July is one of those holidays where our town can feel like you’re in old-fashioned Main Street, USA.  You can barbecue, talk with locals, catch a small parade and then end the evening with a spectacular fireworks display.  Starting at 9pm, San Diego’s skies light up in all directions with different firework shows along the shore.  Before then, however, here are a few of our highlights for what to do. . .    

Small towns across the US will be having local 4th of July parades, and even though San Diego is a massive city, if you take the short drive to Coronado Island, than you too can participate in this tradition.  Based on how popular this parade is, Coronado suggests you get there early to reserve your spot on Orange Ave, and bike or walk as much as possible (parking is going to be sparse).  This is a military town, so expect precise and exceptional marching bands and poignant floats.  

If you haven’t checked out this year’s San Diego County Fair, than Saturday is a great day to go. Patriotic festivities kick off at 10:30am with the Stars, Stripes, and Stems Floral Design Contest and family-oriented fun like, the pie-eating contest at noon, go until the 9:00pm fireworks.  Comedian and actor Dana Carvey will be performing as the light show winds down at 9:30pm.  And, if you wear your red, white and blues you might win the ‘Most Patriotic Costume’ contest.

What can be more all-American than a barbecue at the beach?    Many of our shores are dotted with fire pits ready to cook hot dogs, s’mores, or veggie shish kabobs.  Fire pits are first come first serve with a few basic rules (fires are permitted from 5am to 12midnight; fires must be extinguished when you leave; you can only burn charcoal, wood, and paper products).  Here is a brief list of some of our favorite beaches and beach-side parks (and, no surprise, most of them are in Mission Bay):

La Jolla Shore is a perfect spot to spend a whole day.  Not only does it have fire pits, but also a grassy park area, picnic tables, a playground, volleyball area, restrooms, and showers. 

Ski Beach in Mission Bay doesn’t allow swimming but it does offer a boat launch, a grassy area with a picnic tables, and of course, fire rings.

Crown Point Shores Park Beach, also in Mission Bay, has picnic tables, barbecue grills, fire rings, and an outdoor rinsing station right next to the water.  

Sunset Point Park (Mission Bay) sits across from Vacation Isle and has a panoramic view of Mission Bay.  Lined with tall palm trees, this beachside park has fire rings, picnic tables and a paved path for bike riding.

Fiesta Island is a man-made island at the heart of Mission Bay with 37 fire rings along the shore line.  The south side of the island is a lease-free dog zone, however we should mention there are no public restrooms on the island.   

The fire pits in Ocean Beach are popular thanks to the beach’s relaxed vibe (as we’ve mentioned before), and their reputation for being very dog friendly.

The beach on Coronado Island has fire pits ready to BBQ on, volleyball courts, a snack bar, and public restrooms.  They are also known for having one of the cleanest shorelines in California.  

San Diego has the gift of being a large city that feels like a sweet, small town.  From Oceanside to San Diego Bay (with Ocean Beach, Mission Bay, Harbor Island, and La Jolla in between!), you can’t miss the fireworks display this year.  So pack a picnic, grab your bike (to avoid traffic) and plan to soak up the sun and then enjoy the fireworks that night.  Here at Mission Bay Vacation Rentals, we can’t wait to celebrate this great country we live in and our great town!