Guide to the Best Fireworks Shows in San Diego on July 4, 2024

The annual Big Bay Boom — arguably the best Independence Day fireworks display in America — returns at 9 p.m., July 4, 2024, on beautiful San Diego Bay.

Fireworks will be discharged simultaneously from four barges placed strategically around the bay — off the shorelines of Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the North Embarcadero, and the South Embarcadero.

The show can be viewed from almost anywhere along the northern and central parts of San Diego Bay. The most popular areas to watch are at Shelter Island, Spanish Landing Park, Harbor Island, Embarcadero Parks North and South, Seaport Village, Cesar Chavez Park, and the Coronado Ferry Landing.

All attendees are encouraged to arrive early, bring a lawn chair or blanket, and a radio to tune into the musical simulcast that will be broadcast live on 100.7 BIG FM radio. Parking can be difficult, so take the trolley or train downtown.

The show is sponsored by the Port of San Diego and annually draws hundreds of thousands of spectators. It has taken place every year since 2001, except for a pause in 2020 due to the pandemic.

But the Big Bay Boom is just one of the many displays around San Diego. Here are some of the other best options.

Del Mar Fairgrounds

The San Diego County Fair will host its annual fireworks spectacular, along with other patriotic pomp and circumstance throughout the day on July 4.

The 12-minute, high-energy fireworks show will light the night’s sky with bright and bold sparklers beginning at 9 p.m.

You can buy tickets to the fair that include a reserved seat in the grandstand to view the show.

Drone Show Over La Jolla

For the second year in a row, acrobatic drones will take the place of fireworks in an ecologically-friendly salute to July 4 over La Jolla.

The free event at 9 p.m. will feature 200 small drones equipped with lights that change color and intensity and which are used to create different images in the air — but without the environmental issues that come with fireworks displays.

Organizers say the prime viewing areas are Kellogg Park, La Jolla Shores Hotel, and La Jolla Cove.

The show is sponosred by La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and the LJ STEAM Foundation .

Other Fireworks Shows

Chula Vista — 9 p.m. at Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center. Free to the public.

Coronado — 9 p.m. over Glorietta Bay. Free to the public.

Downtown — 8:30 p.m. over Broadway Pier. A free drone show prior to the Big Bay Boom sponsored by the San Diego Legion rugby team.

El Cajon — 9 p.m. at Kennedy Park. Free to the public.

Escondido — 9 p.m. at Grape Day Park. Free to the public.

Legoland Carlsbad— 8:30 p.m. on July 4. Free with admission to the theme park.

Poway — 9 p.m. at Poway High School Stadium and Poway Sportsplex. $6 at the gates.

San Marcos — 9 p.m. at Bradley Park. Fee to the public.

Santee — 9 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East. Free to the public.