4th of July Fun

This July 4th marks the 240th anniversary of the United State’s Declaration of Independence! And of course, it’s always a great day to barbecue with family and friends, get involved in local parades and play outdoor games. However, if you don’t want to deal with clean-up after a gathering at your place, check out these Bay Area locations where you can have a day full of fun and see spectacular fireworks, all while keeping your home nice and tidy!

San Francisco
Pier 39
Fourth of July Celebration at The PIER. PIER 39 celebrates Independence Day with fun for the whole family featuring musical entertainment by Tainted Love (The Best of the 80’s live), activities, and fireworks. The City of San Francisco will treat spectators to an elaborate fireworks display over the San Francisco Bay at approximately 9:30 p.m.

East Bay
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. The show begins at approximately 9:30 p.m. set to music performed by the Oakland Symphony, along with a Salute to Hometown Heroes Video.

USS Hornet Museum – Alameda
Celebrate JULY 4th onboard the Aircraft Carrier USS HORNET. View of surrounding fireworks displays begins around 9:15 p.m. with patriotic music, weather permitting. Please note that the USS Hornet does not host the fireworks show. Throughout the day, enjoy live music, entertainment, carnival games, Flight Simulator, jump house, interactive Games, ship exploration, food, beverages and more. Monday, July 4, 2016, 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. Family activities will be available from 3 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. There will also be live music throughout this time. Tickets for adults are $20, while kids (6-17) are $10. 707 W. Hornet Ave, Alameda. For more information, call (510) 521-8448 x282.

USS Potomac – Oakland
4th of July Fireworks Cruise on San Francisco Bay. Cruise on Franklin Roosevelt’s Floating White House and have desserts, champagne, tea, and coffee while enjoying fireworks displays along the San Francisco Bay. Monday, July 4, 2016, 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Yacht docks at Clay St., Jack London Square, Oakland.

Pleasant Hill
Independence Day the Pleasant Hill Way. Fireworks begin around 9:10 p.m., parade at 9:30 a.m., fun at the park at 10:30 a.m., entertainment, games and more.

South Bay
Discovery Meadow, Downtown San Jose
New Century of Service. Enjoy this free, family-friendly event with a fireworks show at approximately 9:30p.m. after dusk with free Symphony Summer Pops music at 5:30 p.m.

Shoreline Amphitheatre
4th of July Fireworks Spectacular With San Francisco Symphony. “A Night At The Movies” with music from Inside Out, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, E.T., Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, Raider of the Lost Ark and more.

Peninsula
Foster City – Leo Ryan Park
Foster City Fourth of July Celebration. Join the City of Foster City and the Lions Club of Foster City for an exciting all-day event filled with games, food, entertainment, dog parade and grand fireworks display! 9:30 p.m.

Redwood City, Downtown
78th Annual 4th of July Parade – A Family 4th. Redwood City’s Fourth of July celebration will feature a parade, floats, food, arts, crafts, entertainment, bands, a kids area and more! From 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. there will be a Pancake Breakfast with the Redwood City Fire Department. At 8:45 a.m. the Parade Run 5k will begin (check-in is from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.). A car show starts at 9 a.m., followed by the Redwood City “Best of the West” Parade at 10 a.m. The fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m., launched from the Port of Redwood City!

North Bay
Dunphy Park in Sausalito
July 4th Parade and Fireworks Extravaganza. An all day celebration from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.! Parade begins at 2nd and Main St., Old Town, near the old Valhalla Restaurant, and goes down Bridgeway and then Caledonia all the way to Dunphy Park on the waterfront near City Hall. Festivities include live music, food, dancing, family games, tug-o-war and the famous Egg Toss! The celebration continues at Gabrielson Park in the evening from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and ends with a fireworks display.

75th Marin County Fair
Fireworks at the Marin County Fair. Fireworks will fill the Marin skies every evening June 30 to July 4th at 9:30 p.m. Enjoy family activities, concerts, bands, farm animals and educational/interactive exhibits, and carnival rides. 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael.