Independence Weekend is upon us with gorgeous sunny weather, cool Pacific breezes and my personal favorite…fireworks! 

I’ve told you about some of big celebrations but, where’s the best place to watch the show?

• The Port of San Diego’s Big Bay Boom is the biggest of them all and offers the most viewing spots.  More than 750,000 people are expected to head to San Diego Bay for the event so, arrive early at Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero Marina Parks or the Coronado Ferry Landing to scout out your viewing spots.  The rockets red glare kicks off at 9 p.m.
• At the same time, on the other side of Coronado, fireworks will be lighting up the sky over Glorietta Bay.  Nab a spot along Strand Way, Glorietta Blvd. or by the golf course for the best views.
• Mission Bay has a whole mess of fireworks.  First, at 9 p.m., the Mission Bay Yacht Club will be lighting up the sky.  Then, at 9:30 Shamu and friends take over with SeaWorld’s  Shamu’s Skysplash.  Great viewing spots are available from land and on water throughout the 4,000 acre Mission Bay Park or in surrounding neighborhoods with higher elevation, like Bay Park and Point Loma.
• Fireworks in Ocean Beach kick off at 9 p.m. and can be seen from any OB beaches, the pier or anywhere up the hills leading into Point Loma.
• It was touch and go this year due to the economy but the La Jolla fireworks will be bursting in air at 9 p.m.  Watch from locations around the Cove or out on La Jolla Shores Beach.
• At the Del Mar Fairgrounds, San Diego County Fair fireworks kick off at 9 p.m. followed by a concert by Smokey Robinson at 9:30 p.m.  Both free with admission.  (Bonus, fair food!) 

Watch a video of the Big Bay Boom after the jump…

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Tags: fireworks, july 4, san diego bay, san diego county fair

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So much to see, so much to eat and so much to sip this weekend!

1. This Friday and Saturday check out the 3rd Annual San Diego International Beer Festival at the San Diego County Fair where beer lovers can sample more than 300 brews from 17 countries and 20 states.  Of course, some of San Diego’s finest craft brews will be there too; (see Kate’s Get Hoppy post below).  The event takes place in the fair’s Chevrolet Del Mar Arena from 4 -8 p.m. on Friday and noon-7 p.m. on Saturday. Ticket prices range from $20-$43 and include fair admission, a souvenir tasting cup and best of all, a wristband that provides unlimited one-ounce samplings of beer. (And you thought the fair food was something to talk about!)


chili here we come

 

2. The 30th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-off kicks-off this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on OB’s main drag, Newport Avenue.  Here, you’ll find  live musical performances on 5 stages, 2 beer gardens, a skateboard exhibition, carnival rides, more than 200 vendors and so much more… oh yeah, and delicious chili!  I don’t know about you, but this is where I’ll be on Saturday.

 

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Tags: 5 to try, beach, birch aquarium, craft beer, cruise, festival, food, la jolla, live music, North Park, ocean beach, san diego bay, san diego county fair, snorkel, things to do

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Sure the San Diego County Fair is about rides, rodeos and crazy food concoctions, but I’d like to highlight my 2nd favorite part of the fair: The garden exhibits. My favorite part of the fair is actually the petting zoo, but writing a whole post  called “My Love of Sheep” or “How I Wish I Could Hug All of the Cows and Goats in the World” might get old quickly.

The theme of this year’s fair is “Music Mania,” and the floral arrangements and gardens truly create a symphony of blossoms inspired by music. Before you say, “Flowers are boring – bring on the funnel cake,” take a glance at some of the unique floral masterpieces:

Look mom, I grew a piano!

Play me away, topiary piano man

World's quietest drum set

Pique your interest? Then be sure to check out the garden exhibits when you visit the San Diego County Fair, right next to the hot tub exhibit. Not only is it an amazing way to experience floral art, but it’s also a great place to enjoy some shade and rest your aching belly after too many Zucchini-Weenies.

Tags: garden, music, san diego county fair

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ShermansTravel, the renown online source for deals and travel advice, just announced their list of the country’s top ten places to celebrate July 4th.  Guess what?

The Big Bay Boom...loud and proud!

San Diego is the only place on the whole West Coast on the list.  In fact, with the exception of a little place called Mount Rushmore, we’re the only place West of the Mississippi to make the cut.

The experts at ShermansTravel called out our awesome beaches and fantastic fireworks.  There are fun things to do and lots of colorful displays of American pride all over town during the Independence weekend.  Here’s a few of my faves:

• The Big Bay Boom fireworks display over San Diego Bay is the biggest in the region with great viewing spots all along the bay front and cruises out on the water. 
• Smokey Robinson will perform July 4 at the San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds before the 9 p.m. fireworks show and rides stay open until midnight. 
• Over the Independence weekend on July 3, 4 and 5, SeaWorld’s Summer Nights fireworks over Mission Bay will be set to patriotic music for a bigger, longer celebration. 
• In Carlsbad at LEGOLAND California, the Red, White and Boom celebration will include fun family games, a performance by kiddie favorites The Jumpitz and a 8:30 p.m. fireworks show. 
• On the Embarcadero on San Diego Bay on July 3, 4 and 5, the San Diego Symphony will present a Star Spangled Pops concert each evening at 7:30 p.m.
• It’s a picture-perfect party on July 4th in Coronado with a parade down Orange Avenue, concert in Spreckels Park and fireworks over Glorietta Bay.  

Tags: coronado, fireworks, in the news, july 4, legoland, san diego bay, san diego county fair, seaworld, summer, symphony

(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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I absolutely can’t wait for next month!  Why you ask?  Well, there are many, many, many reasons to enjoy San Diego in June, but one of my absolutely favorites is the arrival of the San Diego County Fair!  A throwback to my childhood years, I always enjoy visiting the Fairgrounds to:

Eat healthy food:

Fair food!

See the shows:

Monster Truck Show at the San Diego County Fair

And check out the contest winners in the Exhibit Halls:

Flower entry in San Diego Fair gardening contest

Memories from past years’ Fairs include the pig races, live demonstrations from a blacksmith, friday night concerts, tequilla tastings and Mexican wrestlers!  Where else are you going to get such diversity all in one place?  Oh and for all you lovers of “As Seen On TV” stuff, there’s a whole Exhibit Hall devoted to you.

As an amateur photographer, I especially enjoy viewing all the photo contest entries.  But I also enjoy taking a quick spin through the gem/mineral and gardening areas.  There is just so much to see!

I have to admit that one missing part of my fairgoing experience the last few years has been the rides.  However I’ve vowed to make up for that this year by going on a night where they have the unlimited ride wristband promotion.  Instead of paying for each ride seperately, you can buy a wristband and go on a bunch for one flat rate.  You can’t beat that!

This year, the Fair will be taking place June 12th – July 5th and I’m already counting down the days!  I’ll just have to remember to get in some extra gym time prior to the Fair so I can eat my deep friend Twinkys and Texas-sized Donuts without any guilt!

Tags: san diego county fair

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