One of my favorite ways of celebrating Independence Day is to find a panoramic view to see one or several municipal displays at once, all the while avoiding the crowds and focusing on the companionship of family and friends.
Here are several places to get your glimpse of Southland firework displays from a distance. As others probably have the same idea, be sure to arrive early to stake out parking and the best spot to plop your lawn chairs.
Note that in all cases, fireworks occur at 9 p.m.
Inland Empire
Chaffey College
This community college in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in Rancho Cucamonga is my go-to place to see any nighttime sight – whether it be the blood moons of 2014-2015 or Fourth of July fireworks.
Displays in Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, the Chino Valley, Corona, Norco, Riverside, Fontana, Rialto and San Bernardino will be visible, with the Fontana fireworks particularly prolific.
Lake Hills
With elevations reaching 1,854 feet, the Lake Hills offer the best view of multiple displays in western Riverside County. Fireworks at La Sierra Park and Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside are the most prominent, while more distant shows in Moreno Valley and the San Bernardino area light up the horizon.
To reach this area, exit the 91 Freeway on Pierce Street and take a right (south). After less than a half mile, take a right (west) on Indiana Avenue, followed by a left (south) on Lakepointe Drive.
Riverside City College
The Mt. Rubidoux fireworks display is one of the leading annual events in Riverside – and for good reason. Shot off a mountain top that rises nearly 500 feet above downtown, the pyrotechnics can be seen in most locations in the city and even nearby communities.
A great place to see the fireworks while avoiding the crowds is at Riverside City College, which affords an impressive sunset view of Mt. Rubidoux even on other days.
Orange County
Corona del Mar
Assuming the marine layer doesn’t obscure your view, the cliffs of Corona del Mar offer spectacular views of the ocean to the west and coastal Orange County to the north, ensuring a birds-eye look at fireworks in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and beyond. Free parking is available in the neighborhood. For a longer experience, arrive before sunset to witness nature’s beauty before the human-wrought dazzle of pyrotechnics.
Victoria Vista Park
Enjoy views of fireworks in Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach and other beach cities, while learning how Costa Mesa (Spanish for “coastal mesa”) got its name.
Los Angeles Area
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
Most of Los Angeles proper (and neighboring beach communities) are visible from this vantage point in Culver City, though getting to the overlook is a bit of a hike (perhaps a good way to get some exercise in after eating barbecue earlier in the day). While typically off-limits at night, the site is well-traveled on Independence Day evening.
Santa Monica Mountains
Mulholland Drive affords views of the San Fernando Valley to the north and the Los Angeles Basin to the south, ensuring that myriad fireworks displays will be visible. Check out this map of overlook points.
San Diego County
Big Bay Boom
While it might sound like a name your toddler would come up with, San Diego’s annual fireworks spectacular is anything but child’s play. Up to 500,000 people watch from vantage points around the bay as fireworks lift off from four barges in the harbor.
Point Loma, Coronado Island, downtown high rises, Little Italy and Presidio Park (in the hills behind Old Town) are just some of the places to watch. And best of all, all metered parking in Downtown San Diego is free on the Fourth of July!
For more information, check out the event website.
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