02 Jul Fourth of July Events to Take Place Across the Bay Area

Fourth of July bunting and banners on display at Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, Calif., in an undated photo. (Old Fisherman’s Wharf via Bay City News)

Editor’s note: Samantha Kennedy is both a Pulse reporter and Bay City News intern.

By Samantha Kennedy
Bay City News

Skies will light up across the Bay Area this Fourth of July with festivities filled with fireworks and parades — and transit changes — across the region.

In Alameda, the city will hold its annual Fourth of July parade, beginning at 10 a.m., at Lincoln Avenue at Park Street. A 5k run begins at 8:30 a.m.

Shortly after, the USS Hornet will hold its annual celebration at the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum at 707 West Hornet Ave., Alameda, at 10 a.m.

Concerts at Oakland’s Edoff Memorial Bandstand at Lake Merritt and Walnut Creek’s Civic Park will also begin at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively.

Lions Wayside Park in Pleasanton, complete with the park’s new bandstand, hosts its annual celebration with the Pleasanton Community Concert Band performing at noon.

In Contra Costa County, cities will be hosting their own fireworks shows and festivals.

The city of Antioch will have a parade, a family zone, and food starting at 4 p.m. at the intersection of West Second and E streets.

The main celebration site will take place in Waldie Plaza and the city hall parking lot. Fireworks will begin after dusk. The city of El Cerrito is hosting the annual WorldOne Fourth of July Festival, which begins at 11 a.m. at Cerrito Vista Park.

Pittsburg will host a fireworks show at the Pittsburg Marina that will begin at dusk, around 8:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event will close Riverview Park from July 3 to the morning of July 5 and portions of Third Street and Marina Boulevard.

Fireworks can also be seen at events on the night of the holiday along the Radke Martinez Shoreline in Martinez, at the Hercules Bayfront, Mt. Diablo High School in Concord and College Park High School in Pleasant Hill.

East Bay riders relying on AC Transit and WestCAT should know that both are running a Sunday schedule for the holiday. County Connection, which includes service to Concord, Clayton, Martinez, Orinda, Pleasant Hill and San Ramon, will not be operating the entire day.

In Marin County, roads will close for Novato’s annual parade beginning at 8 a.m., but pre-parade events won’t start until 9:30 a.m. At 10 a.m., the parade will start at Grant and Reichert Avenues in the city.

Corte Madera and Larkspur will also come together at 10:30 a.m. at Redwood High School to host a parade and community festival.

The Sonoma County Fairgrounds will include live performances and the World Pillow Fighting Championships beginning at 1 p.m. Fireworks will later start at 9:30 p.m.

Vacaville’s Parks and Rec Department will host a 6:30 p.m. celebration at Creekwalk/Andrews Park. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.

Some of the biggest events in the region, which San Francisco transit agencies said can draw up to 200,000 people, will take place in the city.

San Francisco will host its annual waterfront fireworks at 9:30 p.m., where fireworks will be set off from Pier 39 and Aquatic Park.

Earlier in the day, a special Independence Day concert will be held at the Spreckels Temple of Music in Golden Gate Park. Starting at 1 p.m., the Golden Gate Park Band, San Francisco’s oldest musical organization, will play.

After San Francisco fireworks, BART will be running special event trains to accommodate the crowds expected along Fisherman’s Wharf, the Ferry Building and Marina Green.

Muni will run a Saturday schedule but lend a hand by offering extra service and shuttles to attendees in the area where fireworks are happening.

Street closures between Aquatic Park and Fisherman’s Wharf could close as the crowd grows, the agency said.

In addition, Treasure Island will be closed to drivers who are not Treasure Island residents. Riders wishing to watch fireworks from the island must take the ferry, bike from Oakland or take the 25 bus.

Monterey will hold several Fourth of July celebrations, with the earliest being a 7:30 a.m. pancake breakfast with firefighters. The charity breakfast will take place at Fire Station 11 at 600 Pacific St.

Another parade in Old Monterey and a food fest at the Colton Hall Lawn will take place.

Half Moon Bay’s annual parade will start at 8 a.m. and include a pancake breakfast, ribbon-cutting, block party and festival.
San Jose’s several events include a San Jose Giants postgame fireworks show after a 6:30 p.m. game and a 10 a.m. “Rose, White and Blue” parade and festival. The parade will start at Dana Avenue, near Calaveras Avenue.

The city will cap the night off with a 9 p.m. fireworks show at Lake Cunningham Park. Gates open at 3 p.m.

Concerts and community celebrations will also take place in Milpitas, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale. Menlo Park’s Burgess Park will also hold its annual circus.

Watsonville will host the “Spirit of Watsonville” parade at 12:30 p.m. The parade will start at Main Street at St. Patrick’s Church, 721 Main St. and end at Main and First streets.

For all Bay Area riders, BART will run a Sunday schedule on the holiday, from 8 a.m. to midnight with a five-line service. From 8 p.m. on, service will be reduced to three lines.

Parking at all stations except the Milpitas and Berryessa/North San Jose stations will be free.

Caltrain will be providing weekend service for riders traveling in San Francisco and Santa Clara counties.

SamTrans will also run a Sunday schedule for the day. But Ride Plus riders will have a normal schedule — with the Half Moon Bay/El Granada area receiving service from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and East Palo Alto/Belle Haven from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Those near the borders of the East Bay — Tracy, Stockton and Manteca — don’t have to go too far to enjoy the festivities. All three cities are hosting their own Fourth of July celebrations.

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