Check back often—we’re updating this guide as new Fourth of July events and specials are announced.
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.
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 Rady Shell amphitheater on the South Embarcadero Park. The show features the San Diego Symphony playing an America the Beautiful patriotic music. 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.
PubClub.com Big Bay Boom Fireworks Tips:
- Arrive by late afternoon if you’re driving tho it’s better not to drive
- • Best viewing areas: Embarcadero, Harbor Island, Shelter Island, Coronado
- The Green Line trolley has two stops along the downtown bay, Seaport Village for, well, Seaport Village, and the Gaslamp Quarter to be closer to the Shell
- Expect rideshare surge pricing after the fireworks.
More San Diego Fireworks
Sea World is having 4th of July fireworks over Mission Bay (9:30), La Jolla Shores has a drone show and there are fireworks at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar with the Marine Band taking the srage at the 7:30 followed by fireworks at 9.
USS Midway 4th of July Event
The USS Midway Museum, a former U.S. Navy ship that was first deployed after World War II, is berthed at a prominent location on San Diego Bay in Downtown. The museum is opening its four-acre flight deck after hours for an Independence Day benefit concert and front-row views of the fireworks over the water. The concert features the World Classic Rockers — made up of former members of Journey, Boston, Santana, Steppenwolf and Lynyrd Skynyrd — and proceeds from the show will support construction of the new Freedom Park at Burnham Navy Pier along the city’s waterfront.
Just up the bay, the Maritime Museum of San Diego — home of historic seafaring vessels such as the Star of India, the world’s oldest active sailing ship — is throwing a Fourth of July celebration that will turn that part of the waterfront into a block party. In addition to accessing the museum’s fleet of ships it is also having food stations, bars and live music along with prime viewing for the fireworks.
San Diego 4th July Pool Party
Hard Rock Hotel has pool parties every Saturdays all summer. There is free entry (before 2 p.m.,; then it’s $12 and up) which this year means it has a pool party on Saturday, July 4; must register in advance here.
Bars & Restaurants 4th Of July Weekend 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.
This is a deal that’s hard to pass on even if you’re just passing through for one or two: Karl Strauss Brewing Company is celebrating Independence Day by offering all its beers on tap for just $4 a pint. Selections include Red Trolley Ale (one of the brewery’s original beers first brewed in 1989) and the newest release Hard Cherry Cola. Karl Strauss to-go beers are also 15% off on both July 3rd and July 4th. This is available at its brewpubs in 4S Ranch, Carlsbad, downtown with a PubClub.com Manager of the Month and in Sorrento Mesa.
Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails on the ninth floor of Hotel Indigo San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter, has its summetime Sunset Sessions on Friday, July 3. Register for free here and get a Golden Hour toast cocktail on the house.
The 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar at the Margaritaville Hotel has a Sunset & Spritz, happening on Friday, July 3 from 6-8 p.m. The event will feature a rooftop DJ, passed hors d’oeuvres and a welcome spritz in partnership with La Marca Prosecco. After the main event, the party continues with DJ sets through 9 and full bar service until 11. To get tickets, click here.
In Little Italy, the Carte Rooftop & Lounge has an event called Skyline Social. This is a weekly event with cocktails and DJ music. You can resigster for free here.
In Encinitas, Temaki Bar sushi has a patriotic roll with kanikama, cucumber, avocado and gobo, topped with spicy tuna, serrano, spicy mayo, bubu, finadene and Pop Rocks for$23. Friday and Saturday it has $5 sake bombs, in which a shot of sake is balanced on chopsticks above a draft beer before being dropped into the pint with a tap on the table. On Thursday, July 2, Temaki kicks off the holiday weekend with $5 Santo Tequila shots and $7 espresso, lemon drop, dirty and lychee martinis for Martini Thursday with music from DJ J $tew.
San Diego Padres 4th of July Weekend Schedule
Sorry folks, the Padres are out of town on the 4th weekend. They are at the Dodgers thru July 5. They return home on July 6 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
This roundup was compiled by PubClub.com San Diego Editor Kevin Wilkerson.