Where is the best place to go for the 4th of July fireworks in the Bay Area?

Question

If anyone can answer where it will be held in Downtown San Francisco this year, please do.

Answer 1

Personally, I like to watch them from a good spot in the Oakland hills. But there are several shows around this area.

SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco Fourth of July Waterfront Festival. Music by Double Funk Crunch and Tainted Love (6-9:30 p.m.). Festival noon-10 p.m.; fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Free. Pier 39, Beach St. and Embarcadero. [phone]; www.pier39.com.


EAST BAY
City of Benicia's Fourth of July. Music and dance performances, arts-and-crafts vendors, food and children's activities (noon-7 p.m. in the City Park). Followed by a fireworks display at 9 p.m. Free. Waterfront Promenade, downtown, Benicia.

[phone].

Concord Fourth of July Parade and Festival. Noon parade at Todos Santos Plaza, from Willow Pass Road to Grant Street to Salvio Street. Festival includes music, food, games. Free Singing Flags concert, 7:30 p.m. at Dave Brubeck Park, followed by fireworks at 9:25 p.m. Free. Concord. [phone].

Fireworks Cruise. An evening of dinner and music with views of fireworks around the bay. 7:30-10:30 p.m. $125. FDR's Presidential Yacht Potomac, FDR Pier, Jack London Square at 540 Water St., Oakland. [phone].

Fourth of July at the Berkeley Marina. A picnic, puppet shows, arts and crafts, sailboat rides, face painting, music and a rock-climbing wall. An alcohol-free event. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Starts at noon. Free. Berkeley Marina. [phone]; www.ci.berkeley.ca.us.

Independence Day on the Hornet. Music, games, clowns, fireworks. 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. $5-$20. USS Hornet Museum, Pier 3, Alameda Point, Alameda. [phone]; www.uss-hornet.org.

Livermore Old Fashioned Fourth of July. Live music, family games, food, fireworks show synchronized with music. 4-10:30 p.m. Richardson Park. $10 per carload or $2 per walk-in. [phone]; www.ci.livermore.ca.us/events.html.

Oakland Fourth of July Celebration. Food, games and entertainment. Oakland East Bay Symphony pops concert at 7:30 p.m., and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. 1-9:30 p.m. Free. Jack London Square, Embarcadero and Broadway, Oakland.

[phone].



NORTH BAY
Independence Day on the Green. Featuring patriotic, Dixieland, mariachi and Cajun music performed by the Santa Rosa Symphony, as well as children's activities, fireworks display and more. 4-10 p.m. $10-$55. Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. [phone]; greenmusicfestival.sonoma.edu.

Marin County Fair. Carnival rides, arts and crafts, farmers' market, farm animals, horse shows, a petting zoo, science exhibits and music. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. $11-$13. Marin County Fairgrounds, San Rafael. [phone]; www.marinfair.org.

Red, White and Boom! Carnival games, concerts, kids games, pony rides, fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. and more. 3-10 p.m. $5. Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. [phone]; www.sonomacounty4th.com.

Sausalito Fourth of July Parade, Picnic and Fireworks. Parade starts at 10 a.m. at Second and Main streets, ends with picnic at Dunphy Park with live entertainment, food, games. Noon-5 p.m.; 9:30 p.m. fireworks at Gabrielson Park. Sausalito. [phone]; www.ci.sausalito.ca.us/business/park-rec/events.htm.



PENINSULA
Redwood City Parade and Festival. The 67th annual event, with live entertainment, marching bands, floats, a fun run and fireworks. 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; parade at 10 a.m. starts at Brewster Avenue and Winslow Street, Redwood City; fireworks at 9:30 p.m. over the Port of Redwood City. Free. www.parade.org.

San Francisco Symphony. Randall Craig Fleischer, conductor. Susan Egan, Robert Evan and Debbie Gravitte, vocalists. A variety of musical favorites and clips of Disney films projected on a giant screen with musical selections from Disney soundtracks. The concert finishes with a fireworks show. 8 p.m. $13.50-$28.50. Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy., Mountain View. [phone]; www.ticketmaster.com.

For a complete list of Fourth of July parades, picnics, parties and fireworks displays, go to www.sfgate.com.

Answer 2

I many times head over to Dolores Park on Dolores and 18th street. that is huge open with a helpful view of the city. besides the undeniable fact that it may suck if there is fog. My wondering anyplace accross the bay from the SF Piers will be strong because you received't get the fog conceal teh city will.

Answer 3

Great America!! Go early before the evening and u can picnic out on the lawns near the park. There are people out there with blankets, its really a great thing for families.

Happy 4th, I hope that you have a fun and safe holiday!! :)

Answer 4

Check for the safest place. Fireworks are known to be the source of accident.