Fireworks shows, parades, barbecue buffets, cruises…. Here are the best places to celebrate Fourth of July in Orange County.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
Red, White & Boom
July 3-4. Get in the Independence Day spirit with a party at the award-winning restaurant Orange Hill. Start with a welcome drink of beer or wine, then pick your choice of entrée, plus enjoy a salad bar featuring all-American favorites, desserts and drink specials. 7-10 p.m. $75 adults, $35 children ages 4-12. 6410 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, 714.997.2910. theorangehillrestaurant.com
Fireworks Cruise
July 4. Make the most of your Independence Day with a three-hour party and cruise through Newport Harbor aboard a luxury yacht . Sip specialty cocktails, partake of a taco buffet and enjoy the best seat in town for numerous firework shows. Boarding 6:30 p.m., 7-10 p.m. $59-$175. The Royal Princess, 2901 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 714.485.6543. annualyachtparties.com
Bourbon Steak: Fourth of July Sunset Package
July 4. Experience a premium tasting menu with wine pairings and a fireworks show at acclaimed Bourbon Steak at the Monarch Beach Resort. The VIP package includes a five-course dinner with signature Michael Mina dishes such as caviar parfait, Maine lobster pot pie and American wagyu strip steak. Seating is extremely limited; reservations can be made by emailing aault@monarchbeachresort.com or by phone. 8 p.m. $350. One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 949.234.3900. monarchbeachresort.com
City of Fullerton
July 4. Come one, come all to City of Fullerton’s 30th community festival and fireworks show featuring family-friendly activities, rides, live music by James Intveld and food vendors. 5-9 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Free admission, free parking. Fullerton Union High School softball field, on Lemon between Berkeley and Chapman, 714.738.6545. cityoffullerton.com
City of Mission Viejo
July 4. Celebrate our nation’s independence Mission Viejo-style at the city’s annual Street Faire and fireworks show. The fun kicks off with live entertainment on the Main Stage and youth bands jamming on the Freedom Stage. Expect food and game booths by local service groups as well as more than 30 vendors offering cool craft and gift ideas. Begins at noon, fireworks at 9 p.m. Free admission, tickets available for games and rides. On Olympiad between Marguerite and Melinda, Mission Viejo, 949.830.7066. cityofmissionviejo.org
City of Tustin
July 4. Come early, grab bleacher seats and start your Fourth of July celebration with for a live performance by the Stone Souls. The Tustin High Boosters sell drinks, snacks and barbecue; Operation Warm Wishes collects nonperishable food items for homeless veterans. 6-10 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. Tustin High School Stadium, 1171 El Camino Real, Tustin, 714.573.3326. tustinca.org
Concert on the Green and Fireworks
July 4. Enjoy a Fourth of July extravaganza by Pyro Spectaculars and live music by the Derek Bordeaux Group as well as food trucks, field games, bounce houses and raffles at an event hosted by the Irvine Police Association. Gates open at 3 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. $15 adults, $10 children ages 2-12 and seniors 60+, free for kids under 2. Irvine High School stadium, 4321 Walnut Ave., Irvine, 949.724.0488. irvinepa.org
Parade and Pier Festival
July 4-5. Enjoy live entertainment, exhibitors, food vendors and family activities at this year’s festival, “United We Stand,” in Huntington Beach and at the Huntington Beach Pier. Enjoy breakfast at Lake Park (7-10 a.m.), cheer on participants in the Surf City 5K run, visit Pier Plaza for entertainment, end the day with a spectacular fireworks show over the ocean. See website for full schedule of events and locations. Fireworks at 9 p.m. See website for prices. Huntington Beach Pier, Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street, 325 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.536.5486. hb4thofjuly.org
Hive & Honey
July 4. Honor the land of the free with 360-degree views of Irvine and the home of the brave at Marriott Irvine Spectrum’s rooftop bar. Live music by Zach Churchill, L.A.-based singer/songwriter blends of jazz, blues, classic rock and progressive music. 7-11 p.m. $25+ GA, $1,500+ reserved fire pit for up to 10 people with bottle service. 7955 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, 949.759.0200. Tickets
Hornblower Cruises & Events
July 4. Celebrate Fourth of July on the water in Newport Beach. Choose from the Old Glory Boat Parade brunch with free-flowing champagne, a lavish buffet and live entertainment, or a buffet dinner cruise complete with a DJ , libations and an all-American buffet. See website for departure times. Buffet Dinner Cruise: $115; Brunch cruise: $75; Observation Cruise: $78. 2431 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.650.2412. hornblower.com
A Salute to the Eagles
July 4. Bring a bottle of wine, relax and enjoy Pacific Symphony’s Fourth of July under the stars at the Pacific Amphitheatre. The concert features the classic sounds of the Eagles tribute band Hotel California with hits such as “Love Will Keep Us Alive” and “Take It Easy”—plus enjoy patriotic favorites, a salute to the U.S. armed forces and a fireworks finale. 8 p.m. $25 adults, tickets for children under 14 are half price in most sections. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.755.5799. pacificsymphony.org
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa
July 4. Spend the evening at this cliff-side ocean-view resort for fireworks viewing, live entertainment and an all-American barbecue buffet. Enjoy an array of salads, grilled items, a made-to-order mac ’n’ cheese station and desserts. Entertainment on the Del Mar lawn includes Keston and the Rhythm Killers and views of the Dana Point Harbor fireworks. 5-9 p.m., fireworks 9 p.m. $89 adults; $40 children ages 6-12; free for kids 5 and under. 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point, 949.487.7516. lagunacliffs.com
Independence Day on the Bay
July 4. Come to the Back Bay for the annual Fourth of July celebration at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina. Enjoy a jam-packed day of live music from top tribute bands, an inflatable aquatic park, food trucks and a the acclaimed fireworks finale. Doors open at 2 p.m., 2:30-10 p.m. Free GA, $60 VIP table seating, $50 per car (street parking also available). 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 800.765.7661. newportdunes.com
Pacific Hideaway: Firework Viewing Party and Buffet
July 4. Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort’s chic restaurant serves up an all-you-can-eat backyard barbecue party with four cocktails and live music by the Breakfast Club for the holiday. Pacific Hideaway also offers its regular brunch menu until 2 p.m. 5-9 p.m. $150. 500 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.965.4448. pacifichideawayhb.com
The Queen Mary: All American Fourth of July
July 4. Let freedom ring aboard the majestic Queen Mary with an Independence Day full of live entertainment, delicious food, strolling performers, carnival activities, arts and crafts and other family-friendly activities. The red, white and blue celebration is a shipwide event, culminating with fireworks above the shining sea. Considered one of SoCal’s best displays, the Queen Mary’s 15-minute fireworks show takes place off the stern at 9 p.m. and in sync to upbeat patriotic music. 3-10 p.m. $49 adults, $29 children ages 4-11, $119 VIP. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0742. queenmary.com
Topside Bar at Lido House Hotel
July 4. Show your American pride at the only rooftop bar in Newport Beach. Enjoy Lido House’s own Piper Heidsieck Champagne blend and inventive bites all night long. 21+. Valet parking only; please celebrate responsibly (Uber and Lyft readily available). 2-11 p.m. $15+ GA, $1,500-$2,500+ VIP options. 3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, 949.524.8500. Tickets
Photos: Queen Mary courtesy the Ace Agency. City of Mission Viejo by City of Mission Viejo. Hive & Honey courtesy J Public Relations.
