Watching a waterfront fireworks display from a boat, the shoreline or hillside overlooking the water is always a unique and special treat for Bay Area residents.
The Marin County Fair features nightly fireworks July 3-7.
Published: July, 2019
4th of July Waterfront Activities & Fireworks Viewing
Watching a waterfront fireworks display from a boat, the shoreline or hillside overlooking the water is always a unique and special treat for Bay Area residents. The following is a list of waterfront fireworks displays (or those that can be viewed from the water) in the Bay Area to help you plan your holiday, along with some of the activities leading up to the evening pyrotechnics.
San Francisco
PIER 39 celebrates Independence Day with fun for the whole family. Rock out at the Entrance Plaza Stage featuring Mustache Harbor - Yacht Rock Explosion from 3-6 p.m. At 9:30 p.m. look to the sky for the City & County of San Francisco’s spectacular fireworks display.
Berkeley
Berkeley Marina – Live entertainment all day, face painting, arts & crafts, Adventure Playground, and food from noon to 8 p.m. The day culminates with the grand fireworks over the water near the end of the Berkeley Pier at 9:30 p.m. Viewing is best along Frontage Drive south of the Pier or from Hs Lordship’s parking lot.
Sausalito
Fourth of July Parade/Picnic/Fireworks – 10 a.m. parade followed by picnic at Dunphy Park from noon to 6:30 p.m. with live music plus food and games. The celebration continues at Gabrielson Park (next to the Ferry Pier) from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. featuring more live entertainment and ending with a spectacular show of fireworks on San Francisco Bay starting at 9 p.m.
San Rafael
Marin County Fair – Fireworks over the lagoon every evening July 3-7 at 9:30 p.m. Also enjoy concerts, educational/interactive exhibits, carnival rides, arts and crafts, contests and plenty of food. 10 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael.
Benicia
From noon to 7 p.m., City Park (First Street at Military West) will be bustling with arts and crafts, delicious hot foods, live entertainment, children’s activities, and more. Around 9 p.m., fireworks will blaze the sky at the foot of First Street.
Suisun City
Fourth of July Celebration – From 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Enjoy free live music, craft vendors, family entertainment and a huge fireworks display over the waterfront at 9:15 p.m.
Vallejo
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom has fireworks every evening June 30 through July 4 at 9:30 p.m. There will also be the 166th Annual Fourth of July Parade in downtown Vallejo starting at 10 a.m. followed by the Mad Hatter Celebration at the waterfront and a fireworks display at Waterfront Park starting around 9:15 p.m.
Fireworks from the O’Brien
The SS Jeremiah O’Brien, the famous WWII Liberty Ship berthed at Pier 45 in Fisherman’s Wharf, invites you to come aboard to view San Francisco’s Independence Day fireworks ex-travaganza. Many people consider the O’Brien to have the best fireworks seats on the wharf. Events aboard the ship are from 6:30 to 10 p.m., including hot dogs, chips, beverages, live music and a whole lot of fun. For tickets and more details, visit www.ssjeremiahobrien.org.
Hops & Vines Stroll
The first annual Downtown San Rafael Hops & Vines Stroll is on Saturday, July 13 from 2 to 7 p.m. Celebrating the craft beer and premium wine scene in Marin, the festive tasting event will take place along the San Rafael Downtown Fourth Street corridor through the West End Village and feature music, numerous downtown breweries, bars and restaurants, merchants and businesses offering wine and beer tastings as well as light refreshments inside their establishments. Advance tickets are available for $25 at sresproductions.com or for $30 at the event. Eventgoers can hop on and off the free trolley to easily cruise the full length of the event. The ticket price includes wine and beer samples at all of the sampling locations.
The 18th Annual Breastfest Beer Festival
Northern California’s best beer tasting event is returning to Fairground Island at the Marin Center in San Rafael on Saturday, July 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. The Breastfest Beer Festival helps raise funds for the Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic, a nonprofit health center that supports economically challenged women in their fight against cancer. Sample over 30 breweries and eat barbecue for free throughout the festival, listen to live music under the huge tent, win many, many great prizes and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the sunshine—all while raising money for a great cause. A limited amount of advance tickets are available at $50 and can be purchased on the website thebreastfest.org or at Marin Brewing Company in Larkspur or Moylan’s Brewing Company in Novato or regular admission is $65 at the door. The ticket price includes live music, food, unlimited tasting and a Breastfest commemorative cup. For additional information, call (415) 461-4677.
Benicia Waterfront Festival
This popular summer event is back with a splash on Saturday and Sunday, July 27-28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., as Benicia celebrates its picturesque waterfront locale with two days of live music, craft beer and wine tastings, tasty foods, a vendor village and a kids’ activity area. Daily admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, with children under 12 free with a paid adult. Adult weekend passes are also available for $15. For more information and a full listing of musical acts, visit www.beniciamainstreet.org.
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