Fourth of July is right around the corner, and it’s high time to start planning for an evening full of pyrotechnic fun. Whether you are looking for a big community event or a quiet vantage point away from the crowd, we’ve got plenty of suggestions for where to take in the many fireworks shows that LA has to offer.
1 Grand Park
Downtown’s July 4th block party is back, with live music and food vendors keeping crowds busy before fireworks begin at 9.
200 N Grand Ave.
Los Angeles 90012
213.972.8080
2 Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
A bit of a hike to get to this spot, but the views are well worth it. From this vantage point, it’s easy to see multiple shows around the city.
6300 Hetzler Rd.
Culver City 90232
3 Rose Bowl Stadium
This marks the 90th year of the Rose Bowl’s annual AmericaFest event—a three-hour show that culminates in one of the biggest fireworks shows around. The event will include a Beatles tribute, motocross, and a live broadcast from NASA Mission Control as the space shuttle Juno arrives at Jupiter. Tickets start at $13.
1001 Rose Bowl Dr.
Pasadena 91103
626.577.3100
4 Exposition Park
Festivities will get underway at Exposition Park at noon. Fireworks will begin at 9. They can be viewed from the South Lawn, in front of the Natural History Museum.
3980 Menlo Ave.
Los Angeles 90037
213.765.5369
5 Ballona Creek Bike Path
Bike to Fisherman’s Village in Marina del Rey, where there’s an official viewing spot, or continue along the path toward the bridge that crosses the creek for excellent views of the fireworks. Bring a radio and tune into KXLU (88.9 FM). The synchronized music will be playing over the air. The show is on a barge on the water, and it starts at 9.
6 CBS Studio Center
Studio City’s celebration at the CBS Studio Center offers food, live music, and family friendly activities. If you just want to see fireworks, skip the entry fees and head for Moorpark Park just across the river.
4024 Radford Ave.
Studio City 91604
818.655.5000
7 The Queen Mary
An English ocean liner might seem like an odd place to celebrate American independence, but those looking for an up-close view of a great fireworks show could do far worse than the Queen Mary’s festivities. Tickets start at $44. If that’s too much, the fireworks can be easily seen from nearby Junipero Beach.
1126 Queens Hwy.
Long Beach 90802
562.499.1701
8 The Skyslide
Unless you snapped up tickets to the US Bank Tower’s newest attraction early, this is pretty much just an idea to for next year. Hard to beat the view though.
633 W. 5th St., Ste. 840
Los Angeles 90071
213.894.9000
9 Universal City Overlook
If explosions of color bursting above the twinkling lights of the valley is the aesthetic you are after, this is the place to be.
7701 Mulholland Dr.
Studio City
10 Griffith Observatory
Will it be a crowded mess? Of course! But the views are so worth it.
2800 E. Observatory Ave.
Los Angeles 90027
213.473.0800
11 Kaboom! at Pomona Fairplex
There’s fireworks with monster trucks, motocross, and a human cannonball. Pomona is a bit of a drive, but there aren’t many other events in SoCal like this one. Tickets start at $17.50.
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Pomona 91768
909.623.3111
12 Palisades Charter High School
A concert and fireworks show follows the Pacific Palisades Parade. The parade is free; tickets to see the music and fireworks are $10.
15777 Bowdoin St.
Pacific Palisades 90272
310.230.6623
13 Surfrider Beach
This spot in Malibu is a great place to see all the fireworks that rich people will be launching from their boats.
23180 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Malibu 90265
14 Cabrillo Beach
Starting at noon, San Pedro will host a festival that culminates with an excellent fireworks show after it gets dark. Best of all, it’s free.
3800 Stephen M. White Dr.
San Pedro 90731
310.732.3480
15 The Bona Vista Lounge
If your idea of a patriotic celebration involves sipping an expensive cocktail far from the rabble below, the rotating restaurant atop the Westin Bonaventure is where to go.
404 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles 90071
213.624.1000
16 The Hollywood Bowl
At the Hollywood Bowl’s show, Chicago (the band) will be joined by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra for a few patriotic tunes. Fireworks get underway after sundown. If you’re not a huge Chicago fan, try to find your way to the Hollywood Bowl Overlook. Great views of the fireworks.
2301 N Highland Ave.
Los Angeles 90068
323.850.2000
17 Dodger Stadium
Win or lose, the Dodgers will follow their July 4th game against Baltimore with a special fireworks show. Get to the stadium before the game for a look at a pair of bald eagles from the L.A. Zoo.
1000 Elysian Park Ave.
Los Angeles 90012
866.363.4377
18 StubHub Center
If America’s national pastime doesn’t quite do it for you, head to Carson for an international struggle as the L.A. Galaxy plays the Vancouver Whitecaps. Fireworks to follow.
18400 Avalon Blvd.
Carson 90746
310. 630.2200
19 Starlight Bowl
An evening with comedic piano-rock group The Kings of 88 awaits those who attend Burbank’s celebration at the Starlight Bowl. Tickets are $20. In case that doesn’t sound wildly exciting, know that the fireworks following the show can be seen throughout most of the Valley.
1249 Lockheed View Dr.
Burbank 91501
This story originally appeared at www.la.curbed.com
