Events
“Big Bay Boom” Fireworks
July 4. There are fireworks. And then there’s the “Big Bay Boom” Independence Day Spectacular. Presented by Port of San Diego Experiences, Big Bay Boom is the largest fireworks show in California. Displayed from four barges and set to a musical simulcast on 91X FM radio, the 20-minute spectacular spans all of San Diego Bay—visible from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the North Embarcadero, Coronado Ferry Landing and the Marina District. (Bring lawn chairs and blankets!) See website for all viewing locations and parking tips. 9 p.m. Free. Along San Diego Bay. bigbayboom.com
Coronado Fourth of July
July 4. Don your red, white and blue and head to Coronado to celebrate. Highlights of the day include the 76th annual Independence Day Parade along Orange Avenue, featuring live music, decorated military vehicles and more (10 a.m.); a Frog-X aerial demonstration over the 16th fairway of the Coronado Golf Course (2 p.m.); several concerts throughout the afternoon; and a fireworks show over Glorietta Bay (9 p.m.), viewable from the Coronado Golf Course and sponsored by the City of Coronado. See website for full schedule and all locations. Free. Coronado. More Info
Julian Main Street Parade & Celebrations
July 4. Make a field trip out to the quaint rural town of Julian for its annual Independence Day celebration. Festivities throughout the day include the 2025 Fourth of July Main Street Parade, featuring marching bands from local schools, floats, antique cars, vintage tractors, veterans and dignitaries; an appearance by the Marine Color Guard; a flyover of vintage airplanes as the National Anthem plays; live music; a western reenactment by the Julian Doves & Desperados; two pie-eating contests; and more. Festivities begin at 9:30 a.m.; parade starts at noon. Main Street, Julian. julianparade.com
San Diego County Fair’s Fireworks
July 4. It’s a patriotic celebration all day at Del Mar Fairgrounds, presenting its 2025 Fireworks Spectacular as part of the San Diego County Fair. Guests are encouraged to wear stars and stripes and enjoy the fair’s exhibits, rides, concerts, food and festivities during the day—finishing with a fireworks finale, viewable from the Corona Grandstand Stage area (home of the Toyota Summer Concert Series). Fair gates open at 11 a.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. Free general admission to fireworks show (standing room only); $28-$34 for reserved seating. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. sdfair.com
Food + Drink
“Sally’s Boardwalk Boom”
July 4. Nab a front row seat to the “Big Bay Boom” fireworks show via this special dinner celebration at marina-side restaurant, Sally’s Waterfront Dining—known for its locally sourced “Baja-Med” dishes and seafood—located at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. Book the “Waterfront Experience,” which includes a reserved waterfront table for premium views of the fireworks ($600 food and beverage minimum); or the standard experience ($300 minimum). Both have a 7 p.m. start time and include 120 minutes of reserved dining. (Fireworks start at 9 p.m.) One Market Place, downtown, 619.358.6740. More Info
Spill the Beans Ocean Beach
Now Open. Who needs a caffeine fix? With outposts across town, popular bagel and coffee shop Spill the Beans has opened its fifth location in Ocean Beach. Sip classic drip coffee, espresso drinks, cold brews, herbal teas, juices and more. To eat: California-style bagels (try the bacon-white-cheddar bagel) with spreads such as white-truffle-Parmesan; along with hearty breakfast sandos like the McLovin’ and the San Dieggo; plus bowls, oatmeal and a kids menu; complete with a walkup window, outdoor seating and a drive-thru. Open daily 6 a.m.-8 p.m. 4805 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach, 619.782.9115. spillthebeanssd.com
Arts + Culture
“Shark Summer” at Birch Aquarium
July 5-Aug. 10. Ready for a “fin-tastic” San Diego summer experience? It’s “Shark Summer” at Birch Aquarium at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Visitors can enjoy myriad shark-themed activities and programming, including: interactive shark stations; shark and ray feeding sessions and educational talks; Shark Summer Sunsets (every Thursday), with Trivia Nights, Pop-Up Science and themed snacks and drinks from Blue Wave Bistro; and more. Activities are included with the price of aquarium admission. (See website for ticket pricing and aquarium hours.) 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858.534.3474. aquarium.ucsd.edu
Broadway San Diego: Moulin Rouge!
Through July 6. Broadway San Diego presents the San Diego premiere of Moulin Rouge! The Musical—winner of 10 Tony Awards including “Best Musical”—bringing Baz Luhrmann’s film to life on stage at the Civic Theatre. Directed by Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! has a book by Tony Award-winner John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Tony Award-winner Justin Levine; and choreography by Tony winner Sonya Tayeh. (Pictured: Jay Armstrong Johnson and Arianna Rosario.) See website for showtimes and tickets. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com
La Jolla Playhouse: Indian Princesses
Through July 6. La Jolla Playhouse presents the world-premiere play, Indian Princesses, at Mandell Weiss Forum through Sunday. Written by Eliana Theologides Rodriguez and directed by Miranda Cornell, the play centers on five young girls of color (circa summer of 2008), who arrive at a local community center with their white fathers, for a dad/daughter bonding program. Described as “laugh-out-loud funny and delicately tender,” the production spotlights childhood challenges and its magical, messy moments. See website for showtimes and tickets. 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
Two New Exhibits at Comic-Con Museum
Now Open. Comic-Con Museum has been especially busy, recently transforming three floors of new exhibits. Its two newest exhibitions include Tokidoki: 20 Years of Kawaii & Chaos, spotlighting two decades of Japanese-inspired pop culture brand Tokidoki, known for its “kawaii” (cute) aesthetics and edgy streetwise designs; and Growing Up Luann: 40 Years of Comics. The latter takes us back to 1985, when a girl named Luann became the focal point of a comic strip; the exhibit features original art by her dad, cartoonist Greg Evans. 2131 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, 619.546.9073. comic-con.org
Photo credits: Big Bay Boom by Rinus Baak. Birch Aquarium by Jordann Tomasek. “Moulin Rouge!” by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade. “Indian Princesses” by Rich Soublet II. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
