The Fourth of July in San Diego is not one big bang but several of them. Along with the all the activities that happen at the beaches, as well as the bars and beyond.
Several cities offer as much variety as does San Diego for the 4th of July. And this year the 4th is on a Friday, making for a long weekend. Here is a rundown of the events, happenings and bar specials in San Diego for the 4th of July weekend.
San Diego Padres 4th of July Schedule
The Padres host Texas, July 4, 6 and 6. Game times are 3:40 p.m., 6:40 and 6:10.
Big Bay Boom Fireworks
Fireworks launched from barges all up and down San Diego Bay from the Coronado Bridge to Shelter Island make for a spectacular finish to the 4th of July. Viewing locations are on the rocks, from beach chairs people bring and wherever one can find a spot.
PubClub.com likes to watch from the area between the Convention Center and Seaport Village – ideally on either embarcadero park – because the night starts with music at the Shell amphitheater on the South Embarcadero Park. One year, we saw Cool & The Gang which led into the fireworks. This year it’s the San Diego Symphony “America in Song.” The show starts at 7:30 p.m, with fireworks at 9.
Tickets are available on the Shell’s website, but you can watch and listen from anywhere in the vicinity, including the steps of the Convention Center and the walkway that wraps around the venue (first come, first serve and no bikes allowed).
At the same time, there are fireworks over Glorietta bay Bay (no assocation with a certain mayor with a similar name) on Coronado.
More San Diego Fireworks
Sea World is having 4th of July fireworks over Mission Bay…La Jolla Shores has a drone show and there are fireworks at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar.
San Diego 4th July Pool Parties
The Pendry’s Pool House party Tickets are available here.
- Friday, July 4. DJs are WillPlaze & Nvious
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Saturday, July 5: Special guest DJ Will Plaze, known for his genre-blending sets that span hip-hop, EDM, Top 40, and reggae, will bring his signature energy to the rooftop.
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Sunday, July 6: Hot Girl Summer will feature a powerhouse lineup of female talent, including DJ Tess alongside Aura, P8TYN, Petra, and Jess Zaper.
San Diego promoters The Levinson Group is hosting a pool party at Cielo (6th & G) in the Gaslamp starting at 7 p.m. Tickets.
Another pool party in the Gaslamp is at the Hard Rock Hotel (Saturdays all summer. There is free entry (before 2 p.m.,) on Saturday, July 5; must register in advance here.
Bars & Restaurants 4th Of July San Diego Specials
Here’s a look at food & drink specials plus events in bars and nightclubs in San Diego for the 4th of July.
Oxford Social Club is hostng a trio of ultra-talented DJs throughout the holiday weekend. They include:
Thursday, July 3: DJ Legend on Thursday, DJ Cutswell on Friday and DJ Bamboozle on Saturday. Reservations are available at TheOxfordSD.com.
Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails on the ninth floor of Hotel Indigo San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter, has a pair limited-time festive cocktails the Firecracker, a mix of Huckleberry vodka, lemonade, blueberry puree and edible glitter; and the Blow Pop, a vodka cocktail layered in patriotic red, white and blue hues. Each is $17. Doors will open early at 2 ahead of the Padres vs. Rangers game at 3:40 p.m.
One place you can bet will be busy the entire long weekend is barleymash in the Gaslamp Quarter. Its staff has creaded three cocktails just for the 4th ranging in price from $17-20 as well as a food item added to its menu.
Just around the corner from barleymash, The Smoking Gun is doing it’s best impression of Nathan’s in Coney Island by hosting a hot dog eating contest. The Grand Prize is $1,000 and every participant gets a t-shirt. It starts at 2 p.m. For everyone else, a “freedom” bucket of beers is $20 and you can get a burger, fries and a beer for $15.
Lionfish in the Gaslamp Quarter has a patriotic red, white and blue cocktail trio, featuring individual shooters of strawberry Aperol spritz, piña colada and blue curaçao, priced at $17.76.
In Little Italy, Cloak & Petal is serving up a variety of 4th of July specials exclusively available on Friday, July 4th. From the bar, there is the Aphrodisiac ($17)with fresh pressed watermelon, lime, ginger, and haiku, the Main Squeeze ($16) with bourbon, averna amaro, lemon, sugar, blood orange, and rosemary sprig, the Stars & Spritz ($10) with Aperol, sparkling wine, soda, and orange, alongside Rosé ($9) and Frosé ($16). From the kitchen, the Freedom Glizzy ($14) includes panic fried Angus beef dawg, stone ground mustard cats sauce, and kappa zuke relish with backyard bbq pork belly baked beans, plus Smoked Salmon Sashimi ($24) and the Ahi Shroomer Roll ($22) with shiitake mushroom, pepper crusted ahi, panko shrimp, asparagus, cucumber, thai chili sweet soy, gochugaru aioli, and micro arugula, plus a Strawberry Budino ($13) for dessert.
In La Jolla Shores, Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters is extending its hours on the Fourth of July to include lunch. The restaurant, which is located only a five-minute walk from the beach, will open at Noon and it it is selling its Sandpiper Margaritas (Passion or Strawberry) for $10.
In Encinitas, Temaki Bar sushi in Encinita has its Firecracker Roll with kanikama, cucumber, avocado and gobo inside with spicy tuna, serrano peppers, spicy mayo, bubu, finadene and pop rocks on top, for $23.
This roundup was compiled by PubClub.com San Diego Editor Kevin Wilkerson.