American tradition demands that mid summer celebrations include three things: affectionate displays of patriotism, fireworks, and BBQ. This Fourth of July, the South Bay and surrounding areas are practically bursting at the seams with celebrations, fireworks shows, and plenty of things to do.
Thankfully, many of the communities feature their own events so you can stay close to home, avoiding crowds, road rage, and parking frustration. Here’s a list of events from north to south!
Marina Del Rey
http://www.visitmarinadelrey.com/sg/july_4/index.html
July 4th, 9 PM
- Just on the other side of LAX, the Marina Del Rey fireworks display — sponsored by Los Angeles County Department of Beaches & Harbors — runs for 20 minutes. If you’re driving, get there early…parking and traffic can be miserable. If you are able to get out of your parking spot and time it just right, you might be able to make it to El Segundo for the tail end of their show too!
El Segundo
http://www.elsegundo.org/depts/recreation/special_events/default.asp
July 4, 9 PM
- I love El Segundo for its small town charm! Their massive fireworks show is launched from Recreation Park and can be seen and heard from just about all over town. Of course, the best locations are in the park and Main street. There are plenty of bars and restaurants along Main street where you can enjoy dinner before the show.
Lawndale
http://www.lawndalecity.org/PDFs/LESD.pdf (Requires PDF Reader)
July 3, 5:30 – 9 PM
- Thank goodness the folks in Lawndale decided to do their party on Saturday instead of Sunday! You can check this show out and not have to worry about crowds and traffic on the fourth. Or you can do both! This pre-fourth party includes food and entertainment for the whole family, followed by a blazing fireworks show.
Redondo Beach
http://www.redondofireworks.com
July 4, 9 PM
- Redondo does it really big when it comes to the fourth with celebrations on the pier and in Seaside Lagoon, the official location for their fireworks show. The Lagoon opens at 2 PM. You have a buy a ticket — some tickets include parking — but you’ll be sure to have a great seat for the show along with the fun of splashing in the lagoon.
- If you’d rather have a patio or roof-top view of the show in Redondo, check in at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. If you’re a guest, you can watch the fireworks from their roof-top pool deck. If getting a room is too rich for your blood, just have dinner at Splash, the hotel’s restaurant. Diners get three hours of free parking in the hotel’s parking deck and can stay and watch the show from the restaurants patio. Sweet!
Torrance
http://www.ci.torrance.ca.us/Parks/7652.htm
July 4, 11 AM – 9 PM
- Torrance’s celebration in Wilson Park is another big Independence Day celebration starting early in the day and going on into the night. More like a street fair, the celebration features food vendors, bands, and rides of the kids. The event is free but parking is $10. Shuttles are offered from Del Amo Mall and the Civic Center. Best bets for catching the fireworks show without (too) much traffic hassles: approach Wilson Park the east on Carson St and Arlington Ave. You should be able to catch the show from the surrounding neighborhood or the lawns around Torrance High School.
San Pedro
http://www.cabrillobeachbathhouse.org/
July 4, 9 PM
- For 59 years running, the folks in San Pedro have been celebrating the Fourth with fireworks on Cabrillo Beach. Although its not a part of the fireworks show, you can find a really cool experience when they ring the Korean Bell at Angels Gate Park on Sunday morning at 10:30 AM. Its one of the few times each year that they actually ring the bell!
Long Beach
http://www.longbeachseafestival.com
July 4, 9 PM
- Not to be outdone by any of its neighbors, Long Beach has several fireworks shows including one from the Queen Mary and one near the Aquarium of the Pacific. Both events include options for BBQ dining along with the oohs and aahs. Fireworks from both shows can be viewed from various locations through The Pike and Rainbow Harbor.
- http://www.queenmary.com/?page=fourthofjuly
- http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/newsevents/eventsdetail/4th_of_july
With all the things listed here, there’s still more going on! Whatever you do to celebrate, have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day weekend!
Photo credit JohnKay.
What a great idea about dinner at Splash at the Crown Plaza Hotel. I might just have to do this. I wonder if they would balk at me setting up my tripod to shoot the fireworks. LOL
Yeah, the Splash thing sounds like a good deal. And I doubt they will fuss about your tripod! 🙂
These are all such great spots…Usually go to The Dunes in New Port as it is closest…but sun and I are not good friends so not too often:)