Spend Independence Day in San Diego with fireworks, dinner cruises, water sports and more.
By Brooke Knetzer
Campland on the Bay
July 3-5. With many San Diego fireworks shows and holiday events canceled this year amid COVID-19 precautions, Campland on the Bay remains open and offers families a fun venue to responsibly gather this Independence Day while enjoying the beach, views and water sports on Mission Bay. See website for Covid-19 guidelines. 2211 Pacific Beach Drive, San Diego, 858.581.4260. campland.com
Cardellino
Look no further for a dessert for the Fourth of July. Pastry chef Jeremy’s peach cobbler with golden raisins and a pint of Mr. Trustee’s sour cream ice cream is the perfect addition to any Independence Day celebration. Guests can place their preorder for pickup on Friday through Cardellino’s website. 4033 Goldfinch St., San Diego, 619.600.5311. cardellinosd.com
Fish Shop
Fish Shop’s Pacific Beach location has expanded their outdoor seating into the parking lot, offering plenty of socially distanced dining for the holiday. Along with their build-your-own dish options, Fish Shop favorites and cold local beers, the restaurant will feature a specialty Firecracker Taco, available June 30-July 7. Don’t miss out on the signature Fish Shop shrimp— pan sauteed and seasoned with house seasoning, and topped with lettuce, mixed cheese, pico de gallo, and a chipotle-aioli drizzle. 1775 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.483.1008. thefishshops.com
Hornblower’s Fourth of July VIP Dinner Cruise
Celebrate the Fourth of July from the deck of a Hornblower yacht and enjoy a seated dinner cruise and VIP experience. Tickets include a three-hour cruise, VIP priority boarding, a VIP window table that includes a bottle of champagne and chocolate truffles, spectacular views of the bay, and more. Cruise boards at 6 p.m. and departs at 7 p.m. $134.25+. Pier 1 Hornblower Landing: 1800 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego. hornblower.com
Intercontinental San Diego
In celebration of the holiday, InterContinental Hotel San Diego will be projecting the San Diego Big Bay Boom TV Show at the hotel’s fourth floor rooftop lounge and pool bar, Layover, overlooking San Diego Bay. Restaurant specials will be offered at both the property’s signature restaurant Vistal, and the speakeasy-style alfresco bar and hidden restaurant Garibaldi. Layover will not be accepting reservations—but rather serving on a first-come, first-serve basis—and will be open all day, offering light bites and aviation-inspired slushies, canned craft beers, wine and cocktails. 901 Bayfront Court, San Diego, 619.501.9400. ihg.com
Mavericks Beach Club
Head to the Pacific Beach hot spot this Independence Day for a celebration by the beach. Enjoy an expanded outdoor patio space, $10 bottles of champagne and rosé from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mavericks will also be offering $4 popsicles all day long, so guests can keep cool while celebrating.
860 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.999.0348. maverickssd.com
Ranch 45
Solana Beach butchery and eatery Ranch 45 is gearing up for the holiday with various grilling boxes, perfect for a backyard barbecue. Their butcher box is stocked with burgers, hotdogs, steaks, tri-tip and fish. Mix and match to make your own ideal selection, or choose from one of Ranch 45’s carefully curated grilling kits, including a BBQ Box, Ultimate Grilling Box, and Brandt Beef Survival Box. Orders can be placed via the website for delivery or pickup. $75-$275. 512 Via de la Valle, Suite 102, Solana Beach, 858.461.0092. ranch45.com
Seaport Village
While the Big Bay Boom might be canceled this year, San Diegans can still roam Seaport Village, visit the charming on-site retailers and enjoy a family meal at one of the bayfront eateries. Plus, Seaport Village will be hosting live music all day at two central spots on the property: the Food Court and the Lighthouse District. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 849 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego. seaportvillage.com
Tajima
Tajima is raising a toast to the holiday with a Red, White and Brew growler to-go special, available at all six San Diego area locations. Stop in for your pick of Japanese and local craft beers, local hard ciders, or local hard kombucha. All Tajima locations will be closed on July 4, so be sure to take advantage of this celebratory special July 3 or July 5. See website for locations. tajimasandiego.com
The Loma Club
This Independence Day, The Loma Club invites guests to bring their picnic blankets and enjoy an evening on the green, jamming out to live music by Marc Fisher and enjoying a selection of festive food dishes and drink specials. The Loma Club will be marking spaces six feet apart on the deck and grass, encouraging safety for this all-American picnic experience. 6-9 p.m. 2960 Truxtun Road, San Diego, 619.222.4653. thelomaclub.com
Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas
July 3-5. The restaurant is serving up hearty American cuisine, featuring a BBQ plate of baby back ribs—dry-rubbed, smoked, braised and basted with their smoked cherry barbecue sauce—and served with pork and beans, dill pickles, pickled onions, baby kale slaw with poppyseed vinaigrette, and grilled corn. The meal is priced at $28.95 and will be available for dine-in and carryout. 1108 S Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 760.230.2337. localunion101.com
Photos: Campland courtesy The Ace Agency. Cardellino courtesy Chemistry PR. The Loma Club courtesy Megan Jane Burgess.
