Happy Fourth of July!

Here is a great list of all the firework displays in the San Diego Area!  We hope that you and your family enjoy the celebration and have a great Independence Day!

July 4th San Diego Fireworks Schedule 2012

What a wonderful way to celebrate our Independence Day. San Diego offers many professional fireworks displays, offered by some of the local southern California theme parks and local communities. Here are some of the good bets.
Note: Please be sure to verify with the organizer prior to attending the event. Some organizations may cancel fireworks shows if funds are insufficient.

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Theme Parks Fireworks Show 2012

Seaworld San Diego - Enjoy an extended special fireworks display, Into the Blue Fireworks, at Seaworld, beginning on July 4th around 9:30 pm. Park opens at 9 AM and closes at 11 PM for the weekend. 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego Cal. Phone number: (619) 222-6363. View for free from Mission Bay Park, or spend the day at Sea World and enjoy the shows and rides before the fireworks. Sea World Discounts Other SeaWorld summer nights you can enjoy a fireworks show at 9:50 pm daily from ~ late June - September 3 2012, (Labor Day weekend).


Disneyland - Most nights at Disney California is like a 4th of July celebration. Join in the fun as Disney's Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky, with red, white and blue fireworks, tentatively at 9:30 pm on July 1st - 4th. Disneyland park is open 8 AM to midnight. Cheap Disneyland Tickets If you miss the fourth of July fireworks show, Disneyland offers nightly fireworks show at ~ 9:30 PM most weekends, holidays and summer months.

Legoland California - Fireworks begin around 8:30 pm on July 4th for their special Red, White and BOOM! celebration. Patriotic music and pyrotechnics. Live childrens music shows at 5:30 and 7:30 pm. There are also fireworks on Saturdays at 8:30 pm. View for free from some of the local businesses, or spend the day at Legoland. Park hours on July 4th ~ 10 AM to 9 PM. 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad. Telephone: (760) 918-6346. 

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San Diego Fireworks 2012
Fourth of July San Diego Events

Big Bay Boom July 4 2012 San Diego Fireworks Show

Location multiple locations in San Diego Bay and Imperial Beach Pier 
Date and Time July 4th 2012 9:00 PM
This free fireworks show is expected to be the largest San Diego Firework Displays for 2012 in San Diego county. Pick your favorite spot near Seaport Village, Coronado Ferry Landing, Spanish Landing, Embarcadero Marina Parks North and South, Cesar Chavez Park, Coronado Tidelands Park, Imperial Beach Pier, Shelter Island and Harbor Island. This year, fireworks will also be discharged at the Imperial Beach Pier. Free event. More than 750,000 people are estimated to be in the crowd. Check out the link below for parking and shuttle information. Big Bay Fireworks

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Camp Pendleton Beach Bash 2012

Location Del Mar Beach at Camp Pendleton 
Date and Time all day activities on beautiful Del Mar beach and fireworks at 9:00 PM
Annual beach bash celebration and fireworks for military Marine Corps families. For more information see Camp Pendleton Beach Bash

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Chula Vista Fireworks Display

The city of Chula Vista announced they will not host a 2012 fireworks show. Please select another show, such as the fireworks over Imperial Beach from the Big Bay Boom show (see above).

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Coronado July 4th Celebration 2012

Location activities at Spreckels Park, parade down Orange Ave., and fireworks over Glorietta Bay 
Date and Time July 4th 2012 all day festivities with Independence day parade at 10:00 AM and fireworks at 9:00 PM
Enjoy Coronado's July Fourth activities at Spreckels Park, 601 Orange Ave., Coronado. Includes 7 am run/walk, art fair, twilight concert at Spreckels park at 4 pm. and Glorietta Bay fireworks at 9 PM. One of the best old fashioned July Fourth San Diego Events. For more information see Coronado 4th of July Celebration

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Del Mar San Diego County Fair Fourth of July Celebration 2012

Location Del Mar Fairgrounds 
Date and Time July 4th 2012 all day festivities from 10 AM to midnight with fireworks at ~ 9:30 PM
July fourth Independence Day is the last day of the San Diego county fair. Enjoy the fireworks at ~ 9:30 at the San Diego County Fairgrounds. More San Diego family fun with concerts, flowers, rides, exhibits and more at the San Diego County Fair. This is one of the best of the summer San Diego events!

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El Cajon July 4th San Diego Fireworks and Celebration 2012

Location Kennedy Park, 1675 E Madison Ave., El Cajon 
Date and Time July 4 Picnic at noon and fireworks at 9:00 PM tentative
Enjoy a picnic and fireworks on your 4th of July in El Cajon. For more information see El Cajon 4th July Celebration

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Encinitas 4th of July Activities

The city of Encinitas does not offer fireworks display. Why not spend the day at Moonlight Beach Encinitas California, and enjoy one of the many San Diego Fireworks displays.

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Escondido July 4th Fireworks and Celebration 2012

Location Grape Day Park , 321 N Broadway, Escondido CA 
Date and Time July 4th Celebration 4:00 – 9:00 pm and fireworks at 9:00 PM tentative
Annual Independence Day Celebration with free entertainment, old-fashioned contests, and food. For more information see Escondido Independence Day Celebration

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Fallbrook Fourth of July Celebration 2012

Location The Grand Tradition, 1602 S Mission Road, Fallbrook Cal. 
Date and Time July 4 celebration 4:00 – 9:30 PM fireworks at 8:45 PM
Fireworks, food and fun in beautiful Fallbrook! Annual July 4th fundraiser to benefit public places in the Fallbrook area, sponsored by the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance. Dinner, entertainment, races and fireworks display. Ticket prices are $38 for adults and $12 for children. For more information see Fallbrook 4th July Celebration

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Imperial Beach San Diego Fireworks Show 2012

Location Imperial Beach Pier 
Date and Time July 4th 2012 9:00 PM
Enjoy the San Diego fireworks in 2012 at the Imperial Beach Pier, as part of the Big Bay Boom fireworks show. Free event. For event information see Big Bay Fireworks

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Julian 4th of July Parade 2012

Location Main Street - Julian, California
Date and Time July 4 2012 activities start at 10 AM, parade at noon BBQ 1:30 PM, (no fireworks)
Enjoy a screaming flyover by some vintage aircraft and entertainment starting at 10 AM. The “best little small town parade in America” starts at noon, followed by a BBQ at the American Legion. Julian hosts one of the best old fashioned July Fourth San Diego Events in the county. For more information see Julian July 4th Parade

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Lake Murray San Diego July 4th Events and Fireworks 2012

Location Lake Murray Community Park, 7001 Murray Park Dr. adjacent to the children's playground 
Date and Time all day festivities starting at 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM (fireworks at 9:15 PM) tentative
Annual July 4th event at lake Murray in San Diego county. Last year the music fest was cancelled but the fireworks were launched from the north shore at San Carlos Point. For more information see July 4th Celebration

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La Jolla Fireworks

Location La Jolla Bay 
Date and Time July 4th 2012 9:00 PM (tentative)
La Jolla Shores and nearby Kellogg Park is a great place to picnic and enjoy the beach on the 4th of July. Arrive very early to find parking and claim your spot for the day. You can also enjoy the view of the fireworks from Ellen Browning Scripps Park and La Jolla Cove, along the La Jolla Coast Walk. Enjoy the free concert at Ellen Browning Scripps park at 5 PM. Fire works are scheduled over La Jolla Bay at 9 PM. For event details see La Jolla San Diego Fireworks 2012 Fourth of July

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Mira Mesa San Diego Fireworks

Location Mira Mesa Community Park
Date and Time July 4th 2012 9:00 PM
Annual Mira Mesa Fourth of July parade and the Family Fun Day in the Park, followed by evening firework show. July fourth activities include food, rides, games and entertainment. See the parade at 11:30 AM and join in the afternoon festivities. Another one of the best July 4th San Diego Events. For event details see Mira Mesa Fourth of July

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Mission Bay Yacht Club - San Diego Fireworks 2012

Location Mission Bay Yacht Club, 1251 Carmel Place - West Mission Bay 
Date and Time July 4 2012 parade and fireworks at 9:00 PM Tentative
Enjoy the boat parade and fireworks show near the Mission Bay Yacht Club. For more information see Mission Bay Yacht Club

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National City San Diego Fireworks 2012

Location Kimball Park in National City
Date and Time San Diego Fireworks at 9:00 PM Tentative
Annual fireworks show at Kimball Park (tentative). For more information see National City Fireworks

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Ocean Beach San Diego Fireworks 2012

Location Ocean Beach Pier 
Date and Time July 4th 2012 9:00 PM
San Diego 4th July fireworks starts at 9 PM at the Ocean Beach Pier. Spend the day at this lovely beach or nearby Ocean Beach dog beach.

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Oceanside Independence Day Parade 2012

Location 101 Café to the Civic Center (N Coast Highway 101 in Oceanside from Wisconsin Ave. to Civic Center Drive, in Oceanside, Calif.)
Date and Time - Note this parade is held on Saturday June 30 2012 from 10 AM – 12 pm (Saturday before Independence Day)
Watch this annual Oceanside 4th of July parade starting at the 101 Café to the Civic Center. Bring your folding chair for a view along the sidewalks. Afterwards, enjoy the day at Oceanside Beach For event details see Oceanside Independence Day Parade

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Old Town San Diego July 4th Celebration

Location Old Town State Historic Park
Date and Time July 4 2012 from 11 AM to 4 PM
Enjoy some good old fashioned fun in Old Town San Diego Fourth of July celebration with parade, crafts and activities of early San Diego, such as a pie eating contest and wagon rides. Afterwards, you can enjoy fireworks at night at one of the other locations in San Diego. This is another one of my favorite San Diego July 4th events.

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Poway 4th of July Celebration and San Diego Fireworks 2012

Location Old Poway Park and Poway High School 
Date and Time July 4 2012 festivities from 11 AM to 4 PM and fireworks at Poway High School at 9:00 PM (7:00 - 10:00 activities).
Old Fashioned San Diego Fourth of July activities at Old Poway Park. Free admission. Fireworks show will be a 9 PM at Poway High School. $2 admission and food and glow necklaces will be on sale as a fundraiser for the school. For more information see Poway 4th of July Celebration and Poway 4th of July Fireworks

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Ramona Annual Fourth of July Event and Fireworks 2012

Location Olive Pierce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane, Ramona Cal 92065 
Date and Time 5 PM – 9 PM and fireworks at 9:00 PM
Annual fourth of July event with games, food, fun activities and entertainment and fireworks of course. For more information see Ramona 4th of July

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Rancho Bernardo Spirit of the 4th Festival & Parade 2012

Location Rancho Bernardo , Bernardo Heights Middle School Athletic Field, 12990 Paseo Lucido. Parade route along Rancho Bernardo Road and Bernardo Center Drive.
Date and Time Fourth of July 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM, parade at 3:30, live entertainment 6:30 and fireworks at 9:00 PM
Celebrate July fourth at this patriotic old fashioned festival in Rancho Bernardo. Start with a pancake breakfast in Webb Park and enjoy the festival of music, food, games, parade and fireworks. Wheels of Freedom Motor Show from 9 to 2:30. For more information see Spirit of the Fourth Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration

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Rancho Santa Fe Independence Day Concert on the Green 2012

Location Rancho Santa Fe (near the Inn)
Date and Time Fourth of July Wednesday at 1:30 PM
Free concert on the green in Rancho Santa Fe presented by the Coastal Communities Concert Band. Bring your blanket or chairs and enjoy the patriotic and popular music. Food and drinks available for purchase. For more information see Ranch Santa Fe Fourth of July

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San Marcos Fireworks and July 4th Events 2012

Location Bradley Park, San Marcos, CA 92069 Google map
Date and Time entertainment 6:00 PM and fireworks at 9:00 PM
Celebrate July fourth at this in north San Diego county at one of the annual free San Diego events for 4th of July. Carnival games and family fun, evening entertainment. Bring blankets or chairs for lawn seating to enjoy the San Diego fireworks display. For more information see San Marcos Fireworks and July 4th Events

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Santee 2012 July 4th Events San Diego

Location Town Center Community Park - West Ball Fields, 9400 Cuyamaca St, Santee CA 92071 Google map
Date and Time event activities 3:30 – 9:30 PM with fireworks at 9:00 PM
Join in the fun at this east county San Diego fourth of July celebration – Santee Salutes. Live entertainment, DJ, food, carnival rides. A great San Diego family activity for the 4th of July. For more details on this event Santee July 4th Events

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Scripps Ranch 4th of July Parade and Festival 2012

Location Scripps Ranch Parade Route: Ironwood at @ Red Cedar Drive, to Ironwood Rd to Courtyard Dr to Red Rock Dr to Scripps Ranch Blvd ending in Hoyt Park. Festival is in Scripps Ranch Hoyt Park (near Aivary Dr.)
Date and Time 10:00 – 11:00 AM parade, and 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM festival
Enjoy a San Diego 4th of July parade and festival at Scripps Ranch. Community groups, high school marching bands, and more will entertain you as you watch the parade. Afterwards, enjoy an Ice Cream Social at Hoyt Park. Food, drinks and games. Free admission to the festival. For more information see Scripps Ranch 4th of July Parade and Festival

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Temecula July 4th Fireworks, Fun and Parde 2012

Location parade in Old Town Temecula (parade travels north on Old Town Front Street from 2nd Street to Moreno Road), and festival and fireworks show at the Ronald Reagan Sports Park, Temecula California Google map
Date and Time July 4 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM parade, and 2:00 to 10:00 PM festival, fireworks at 9:00 PM
Celebrate July fourth in east San Diego county at one of the fun San Diego events for 4th of July. Start the day with a 4th of July parade with floats, equestrian units and more. In the afternoon enjoy the fun and food in the park, followed by a San Diego fireworks display at 9 PM. For more information see Temecula Fireworks and July 4th Events

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University City San Diego July 4th Celebration 2012

Location Standley Park, 3585 Governor Drive, San Diego CA
Date and Time all day festivities (no fireworks)
Celebrate July fourth in San Diego with a 5K run, pancake breakfast, live entertainment, food and games. For more information see July 4th Celebration

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Valley Center San Diego Fireworks July 4th 2012

Location TBD
Date and Time TBD
The Valley Center Fireworks Celebration in 2011 was canceled due to insufficient funds. We will see if they will have a fireworks show in 2012. If not, please enjoy one of the other July 4th San Diego events and fireworks displays.

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Vista San Diego Fireworks Show 2012

Location Moonlight Amphitheatre in Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista CA Google map
Date and Time activities 3:00 PM and fireworks show at 9:00 PM - tentative
Celebrate July fourth in north San Diego county at Red, White, & Boom Independence Day Celebration in Vista. Picnic and family activities through the day, with live music on the stage. In the evening enjoy the San Diego fireworks display. To confirm activities see Vista Fireworks and July 4th Events 

For more information check out San Diego Beaches. 

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Happy Summer Solstice!

The Summer Solstice is today and it is something that everyone has learned about since elementary school.  It is the longest day of the year and the start of the summer season, but here is a refresher course about what is happening to our planet as we change into the new season.

Today is the first day of summer, also known as the summer solstice. It's the longest day of the year (and the shortest night).

The actual moment of the solstice will occur at about 7:09 p.m. this evening, while the sun sits directly above the Pacific Ocean to the west of Hawaii.
As you may remember from your grade school science lessons, the seasons and the changing lengths of the day and night throughout the year are a result of the Earth's axial tilt.

Try to visualize the Earth's orbit around the sun as an elliptical path on an imaginary plane in space. 

As the Earth rests in that plane, its north and south poles—the ends of its axis—do not point straight "up" and "down." The axis is instead about 23.4 degrees off the "vertical."

As a result, the northern and southern hemisphere do not receive equal amounts of sunshine throughout the year. Right now, the northern hemisphere is "leaning" towards the sun. From tonight until the winter solstice on December 21, as the Earth continues around the sun, that tilt in the planet's axis will be "leaning" our hemisphere less towards the sun each day. 

If not for the tilt of the Earth's axis, we would not have seasons. The day and night would be exactly the same length, year round. The northern and southern hemispheres would share the sun's light equally. Right now, that only happens on the days of the spring and fall equinoxes (March 20 and September 22, this year).

Perhaps appropriately, as we bask in a whopping 15 hours, two minutes of daylight, today is also expected to be the hottest day of 2012 to date in our area. Tomorrow could be hotter still.

If the heat gets to be a bit too much, consider the flip side of today's solstice: for our friends in the southern hemisphere, today is the winter solstice. In Punta Arenas, Chile, the high today will be in the mid to upper 30s.

For more information on the summer solstice or summer activities go to the Carlsbad Patch.

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New park construction officially underway for Carlsbad.

The Alga Norte Park construction is officially underway in Carlsbad.  The park will include pools, ball fields, a skate park, a dog park, a new playground and other amenities that support a healthy outdoor lifestyle for Carlsbad residents.  The park is set to open in late 2013, and residents could not be more excited about the opportunities and adventures that await them in the new area. 

Carlsbad city leaders marked the official start of construction Tuesday of Alga Norte Community Park, the City of Carlsbad’s newest park, which will include pools, ball fields, a skate park, a dog park, a new playground and other amenities that support a healthy outdoor lifestyle for Carlsbad residents.  Watch a short video about the new park.

 

The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the 32-acre park site at the corner of Poinsettia Lane and Alicante Road, just east of El Camino Real. The park is scheduled to open in late 2013.  Read a fact sheet about the park.

 

“This park will truly provide something for everyone – whether you enjoy walking on scenic trails, playing team sports, meeting friends and neighbors at the playground or enjoying our great year-round climate at the new aquatics center,” said Chris Hazeltine, the city’s Parks & Recreation Department director. “Community input was instrumental in the park’s design, from the dog park, to the number and types of pools, and the design of the skate park.”

 

The approved park design includes:

• A 56-meter “Olympic sized” competition pool with viewing bleachers
• A 25-yard, 12-lane swim instruction pool
• A 10 by 25 foot spa with jets
• A 22-foot diameter 6 inch deep kids pool
• A “spray-ground” play area for young children
• Three lighted softball/baseball fields
• One lighted full basketball court and one half court
• Picnic areas with barbecues
• Playground with 100 percent universally accessible play equipment
• An off-leash dog park divided into areas for larger and smaller dogs, including obstacle course-type play equipment 
• A lighted skate park that will include a "street course" section, an area with challenging elements for more skilled skateboarders and a beginners’ area

The total budget for this phase of the park’s design and construction is $40 million. T.B. Penick & Sons is the general contractor. Kitchell is handling construction management and Wimmer, Yamada and Caughey is overseeing design compliance.

For more information go to Carlsbadca.gov.

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52 year old Flamingo kicks off breeding season.

Most 52 year olds are done having kids, but not at the San Diego Zoo.  The 52 year old flamingo at the San Diego Zoo is still laying eggs and getting ready to have more children.  Learn about these amazing animals that are at your local zoo, and how at 52 years old they are still taking wonderful care of their infant children.


Our famous flamingo pair has done it again! The San Diego Zoo’s flamingo breeding season kicked off on April 24 when the first egg was laid by none other than my favorite girl and oldest female (30). She and her mate (26) did the usual fantastic job that they do with incubating duties, sitting tightly on their precious egg. Like clockwork, 28 days later, the first flamingo chick of 2012 hatched on Tuesday, May 22. The incubation period for flamingo eggs is between 27 to 31 days.

When I went out to the exhibit at 6:30 that morning, I saw that the egg had pipped. A small hole had started the hatching process, and I could see the little beak diligently working on breaking out. By 10:30 a.m., the chick had chiseled half way around the shell, and by 2 p.m. it was free! Mom and Dad have been brooding the chick very tightly, keeping it nice and warm. By Wednesday morning, the chick was vocalizing, begging to be fed (Mom happily obliged); in the afternoon it was already trying to stand.

It never ceases to amaze me how incredible these birds really are, and after six years as their keeper, it never gets old. I am just as excited with each and every hatch as I was the first time I ever saw one. It warms my heart that our sweet old girl continues to be such a great mother and wonderful example to the rest of the flock. She will be 53 on June 23. Just as much credit goes to her mate, at only 20 years of age this year. He may be 33 years younger, but he is a great flamingo dad, and I truly believe that their bond is what is keeping her going strong!

I’ll be checking on the chick tomorrow morning (Saturday, May 26) to make sure all is well. I anticipate that sometime next week the chick will be off of its nest mound and starting to explore. They grow quickly, so you definitely want to see the sweet little ones before they get big.

I can’t forget about the rest of the flock: our second chick of 2012 hatched yesterday (Thursday, May 24). We hope to hatch more chicks this season, with about half of those being hatched and hand-reared at our Avian Propagation Center. These hand-reared birds will be joining the flamingos that are currently part of our Backstage Pass experience. If you haven’t had the opportunity to feed the sweet flamingos there, it is a life experience that can’t be missed! Even though I get to work with flamingos every day, I still had to partake in the fun and share with family members. They loved it, and so will you!

For more information check out the San Diego Zoo!

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