4TH OF JULY!

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Independence Day in San Francisco and the Bay Area.

Fireworks, festivities, parades, concerts... Independence Day turns the Bay into a wide party!



Of course, there will be fireworks all over the Bay. The challenge could be to find the best spot to watch them all. Not that easy! Especially if the fog shows up, but it is not supposed to happen this year. Weather forecasts are pretty optimistic.

 


In San Francisco, you will finish the day with the fireworks. As usual, there are 2 sets, in 2 different locations, synced in order to offer the best possible view throughout the Bay.

 

At 9:30 pm, fireworks are set off from the foot of the Municipal Pier and from barges north of Pier 39. The best places to watch the show: Aquatic Park (Jefferson and Hyde streets), the Cannery (Beach & Leavenworth), Ghirardelli Square, other waterfront spots at Fisherman’s Wharf and Coit Tower. With a little distance and in an overhead location, it is also pretty cool: Twin Peaks for sure or even Corona Heights Playground (right behind the Randall Museum) are definitely good spots.

 

 

 

You can also watch the Fireworks from the Bay. The USS Hornet based in Alameda offers a whole afternoon program and allows to enjoy the Bay show from the flight deck. Read more.

 

 

Another good scenario: try to book a table in one of the SF restaurants with a view on the Bay. Check our selection of restaurants with a view in the useful addresses.

 

 

 

© ACEA / Photo Gilles Martin-Raget. 

 

In the afternoon, you could attend the Grand Opening Ceremony at the America's Cup Pavilion. It is scheduled at 3pm until 4:30pm. For the fireworks, you will have to find another location. Our article Summer of Racing.

 

 

 

You could also visit the Exploratorium that launched recently a new event. Each first Thursday of the month, the Exploratorium will throw an After Dark party. First Thursday of July is... the 4th! The party's name: Boom! Obviously. But be aware that the After Darkparties are for adults only!

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’d rather escape from SF, below is our selection of some festivities all throughout the Bay Area:

 

   

In Sausalito, parade, festivities, picnic and… fireworks, for sure! More info.

 

 

In San Rafael, festivities will last 5 days, July 3 to 7, from 11am to 11pm. Concerts, parades, games, kids activities... and fireworks for sure! More info.

 

 

In Alameda, huge parade, famous all around the country, race and games. The parade website.

 

 

In Berkeley, family activities and festivities all day long and fireworks will take place @ the Marina Pier. More info.

 

 

In Foster City, local fireworks after a whole day at the lagoon in a very family friendly atmosphere. More info.

 

 

And... on the other end of the Bay, in San Jose, the SJ Fireworks Extravaganzas are going to make their show as well after a parade and an Antique Car Show. More info.

 

 

Let's finish with the annual SF Symphony concert at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View.

The program is quite patriotic and ends with Stars and Stripes Forever de Sousa, the official National March.

 

 

May the 4th be with you! And in the meantime, we are working on the July 14 program. Bastille Day is also celebrated in SF!