July 4 celebrations
Check out what North County has to offer for fireworks shows and events to celebrate America's birthday
NORTH COUNTY — As the thermometer continues to rise, cities are ramping up their Fourth of July festivities.
Oceanside kicks of America’s founding with its annual parade Independence Parade followed by a fireworks show on July 3, while other cities will pop off on July 4. The 28th annual parade kicks off at 10 a.m. and runs from Wisconsin Avenue and Coast Highway north to City Hall.
The parade is expected to last two hours. Here is a roundup of July 4 events in North County.
Oceanside (July 3)
The city’s annual fireworks show event starts at 5:30 p.m. at the SoCal Soccer Complex, 3300 El Corazon Dr. The event features a family-fun zone with inflatables, a picnic area and food vendors.
Carlsbad
Legoland hosts the city’s annual fireworks Red, White and BOOM! celebration show, which typically starts between 8:30-9 p.m. The show usually lasts about 20 minutes.
There are many great viewing points such as the Strawberry Fields and the nearby businesses to name a few.
Camp Pendleton
Del Mar Beach at Camp Pendleton from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Early birds can claim their spots on the sand but be careful as the tide rises and falls during the day. Here is the July 4th tide chart.
The annual 4th of July beach bash is a weekend celebration for Marine Corps families. There is a free kids’ fun zone open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on July 4. Military members may bring civilian friends.
Del Mar Fairgrounds
One of the biggest fireworks shows in the county happens at the San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. and reservations in the grandstand are recommended. Tickets are $20-$25 and includes admission to the fair.
Fairgoers can still enjoy the fireworks elsewhere at the fair without going into the grandstand.
Escondido
Since July 4 is on a Thursday, the California Center for the Arts, Escondido will host a free fireworks show and four-day concert series. The fireworks show runs from 9:05-9:20 p.m.
As for the concerts on July 4, they will feature Daring Greatly (5-6 p.m.), Ian Moore (6:15-7:30 p.m.) and Navy Band Southwest (8-9 p.m.).
San Marcos
The city hosts its annual Red, White and BOOM! show at Bradley Park, which runs from 5-9 p.m. There will be carnival games, jumpers, food vendors and live music.
Vista
The city’s annual show is at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Dr. The event starts at 7 a.m. and features picnic and family activities throughout the day.
The theatre opens at 5 p.m. with a barbecue dinner inside the theatre at 6:30 p.m. (tickets required) and the fireworks display starts at 9 p.m. A concert by The Cassie B Project starts at 7:35 p.m.
San Diego
For those interested in the largest fireworks show in the county, San Diego hosts its annual Big Bay Boom at 9 p.m. The free fireworks display is on four barges off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero and Seaport Village/Coronado Landing.
Some of the best viewing locations are near Seaport Village, Coronado Ferry Landing, North Embarcadero, Marina District, South Embarcadero, Shelter Island and Harbor Island. However, more than 750,000 people are expected to attend.