SoCal's Best Fourth Of July Celebrations
Celebrate our Independence from the Brits in true Southern California family style. From family-friendly parades, muscled and tanned men and women competing at the beach to fireworks spectaculars you'll find the best family-friendly Fourth of July events listed below.
Los Angeles
Mr. and Mrs. Muscle Beach
Venice Recreation Center
1800 Ocean Front Walk
Venice Beach, CA 90291
(310) 399-2775
www.californiabeachbodybuilding.com
Take the family to the infamous "Muscle Beach" for a unique Fourth of July celebration this year. Muscled and toned men and women will be competing in a body building contest in the quintessential Venice Beach style. Have what it takes to compete? You can enter the contest too; the entrance fee per contestant is $80. Winners will be featured in Iron Man Magazine. It's free to be a bystander to the tanned, muscled glory. Judging starts at 10 a.m.
Annual 4th of July Parade, Fireworks Display, Dinner at the Casino - Catalina Island
#1 Green Pier
Avalon, CA 90704
(310) 510-1520
www.CatalinaChamber.com
Have an Island-style Fourth of July on the gorgeous island of Catalina. The most celebrated holiday on the island is not complete without a golf cart parade down Crescent Avenue beginning at 1 p.m. Followed up by a delicious a BBQ Buffet Dinner with Music from the USC Marching Band in the Casino Ballroom. To top off the holiday enjoy premium balcony viewing for the fireworks display over the gorgeous city of Avalon.
The Great American Kids Bike Parade
START/FINISH Meet at the boat launch ramp:
1 South Granada Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90803
www.justinrudd.com
Join more than 500 patriotic kids for the Great American Kids Bike Parade hosted by Justin Rudd. Along with the patriotic bike parade, there will be a costume contest, patriotic speech contest and watermelon seed spitting contest for all kids over 12 years old– entries are free! Be sure to be lined up and registered for the parade by 9:50 a.m. The parade starts promptly at 10 a.m.
4th of July Extravaganza
Los Angeles Maritime Institute
Ports O'Call Village
1199 Nagoya Way
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 833-3553
july4thsail.brownpapertickets.com
Celebrate the Fourth of July the way our forefathers did -- aboard a magnificent tall ship! The kids will love the cannon battle experience, between 2 and 5 p.m. From 6 to 11 p.m., the tall ships will take off for Long Beach to take in an amazing fireworks show that starts at 9 p.m. Minors under 18 must weight at least 70 pounds and be accompanied by a responsible adult. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome aboard, but space is limited. Jackets are recommended for this event.
Orange County
Newport Harbor Old Glory Boat Parade
215 East 15th Street
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 673-5070
www.americanlegionyachtclub.com
The annual Newport Harbor Old Glory Boat Parade is sponsored by the American Legion Yacht Club. Boat registration is free and the parade begins at 1 p.m. The all day Fourth of July festival at the American Legion Post 291 starts with a Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. A BBQ lunch and dinner is from noon to 5 p.m. with live music and festival dancing.
108th Huntington Beach Fourth of July Celebration
325 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 536-5486
www.hb4thofjuly.org
The city of Huntington Beach knows how to celebrate our independence birthday in true Americana style. Starting off with a Kiwanis pancake breakfast at Lake Park at 6:30 a.m., followed by the infamous Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade at 10 a.m. and ending with a dynamic and dazzling fireworks display blasting over the ocean starting at 9 p.m. Check website for more details.
Newport Dunes' 4th of July Celebration
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
1131 Back Bay Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92260
(939) 729-3863
www.newportdunes.com
Enjoy three days of Fourth of July Celebrations on the beach this year at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. On July 4, the resort kicks off a full day of carnival games, a chili cookoff, a food eating contest a sundae eating contest, live music and a fireworks spectacular to round out the day. On July 5, Moe B's Aquatic Park opens, and on July 6, the carnival comes to town.
Inland Empire
July 4th Spectacular on Big Bear Lake
40770 Lakeview Drive
Big Bear, CA, 92315
(800) 230-4134
www.bigbear.com
This annual Fourth of July celebration at Big Bear Lake is a cut above the rest. With crystal clear blue skies, mountain fresh air and the pristine Big Bear Lake, it is no wonder so many love this annual celebration. The Big Bear Rotary Club will be hosting a BBQ at the Marina Resort with prime seating for the firework display. Admission starts at $10, food tickets start at $20. The firework display is free and is shot off a barge in the lake. The dazzling show will begin at 8:45 p.m. and can be seen anywhere lakeside.
KABOOM – 4th of July Celebration at the Pomona Fairplex
1101 West McKinley Avenue
Pomona, CA 91768
(909) 623-3111
www.fairplex.com/kaboom
The 26th annual KABOOM celebration at the Pomona Fairplex is a night of exciting shows on the Fourth of July complete with Monster Trucks and Motocross. The show starts at 8 p.m. with a dazzling finale of fireworks. Tickets start at $15 for general admission.
