Fourth of July means one thing: Bring on the fireworks! The Bay Area is the perfect place to see bright colors light up the sky with beautiful waterfronts as the backdrop for a vibrant celebration of independence. Here’s our list of must-see fireworks displays for families to enjoy this summer.

Spectators enjoy a July 4th fireworks show
Arthur Chauvineau via Unsplash

 

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Pier 39 Fourth of July Celebration
Color and wonder will once again fill the sky on Pier 39 this Fourth!. The annual tradition is a real treat for families with great views across the waterfront. Fireworks ignite the sky from two locations, Municipal Pier and Pier 39. Insider Tip: the best views are from: Aquatic Park, the Cannery, Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman’s Wharf and Coit Tower. Mon., Learn more.

Fourth of July with the San Francisco Symphony
Looking for a night of music capped off with beautiful fireworks? The San Francisco Symphony has you covered. Its Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular is packed with nostalgia and melody. Mon., Get your tickets.

Red, White and Blue Cruises
There are a host of cruise options for families who choose to see their fireworks from the water versus land. A few include: Blue and Gold Fleet, Red and White Fleet and a Fireworks Sail on the Bay via Schooner B.

Fireworks on the Water
Spend an unforgettable evening on the water with spectacular front-row seats for the fireworks show aboard a Hornblower Cruise. Choose from the dinner cruise or a brunch daytime cruise for the most memorable Fourth yet! Mon., Event details

East Bay

Fireworks Spectacular
Pack your blanket and lawn chair and get an early start on fireworks fun at the Fireworks Spectacular at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Set for Friday, July 1, be ready to be amazed. View the display anywhere on the Fairgrounds with the best viewing over the Stella Artois Grandstand. The spectacular will begin after the concert performance. Fri.

Concord Fourth of July Fireworks
The city of Concord is happy to welcome back families and visitors for its annual Fourth of July celebration. Fireworks begin at 9pm at Mt. Diablo High School. Note: Gates open at 6pm so arrive early to get a good seat! Mon., More info.

Pleasant Hill 4th of July Celebration
This year, the party is an all-day event starting with a 5k followed by a parade, festival in the park and capping it all off with fireworks. Mon., Event details

July 4th Celebration on the USS Potomac
Climb aboard FDR’s “floating White House” for a cruise around the Bay. Leaving from Jack London Sq, this three hour cruise will include a narrated history lesson while you take in the sights from the water. Mon., Event details

Two boys hold sparkler fireworks at a July 4th parade
iStock

Peninsula

Redwood City’s July 4th Parade, Festival and Fireworks
One of the largest parades in Northern California is back with entries from all over the state. Stay for the festival’s art and crafts booth, battle of the bands and kids zone. Also, check out the chalk festival all weekend long and cap off the celebration with a fireworks spectacular. Mon., Event details

Foster City 4th of July Fun
We love this event because in addition to the usual July 4th festivities with food, music and fireworks, a dog parade means all furry friends can join in on the fun, too! Mon. Event details

South Bay 

Fourth of July at California’s Great America
Cue “America, The Beautiful.” After a full day riding winding coasters and water slides at the fun-packed South Bay Shores water park, witness the skies set ablaze in a brilliant show set to patriotic tunes. Mon., Event details.

Milpitas July 4th Pool Party, Concert & Fireworks
Let the kids cool off in the pool before enjoying a climbing wall, food trucks, video game truck, a concert and fireworks. Mon., Event details

Independence Day Celebration, Cupertino
Fireworks fun continues in Cupertino with the De Anza Optimist Club hosting their annual pancake breakfast event at the Quinlan Center starting at 7:30 AM followed by kids activities, a parade, concert at Memorial Park and fireworks in the evening. Mon., Event details

Morgan Hill Freedom Fest
A tradition since 1876, Morgan Hill’s Freedom Fest is packed with fun for all ages. Festivities include a car show, patriotic sing, family street dance, live entertainment AND must-see fireworks. Mon., Check it out.

Gilroy’s Annual Fireworks Show
Grab those lawn chairs and head down to Gilroy for some family fun. The show will take place beginning around dusk at approximately 9:30 PM, originating from Gilroy High School. Fireworks can be viewed from nearby neighborhoods and at Christmas Hill Park. Mon., Event details

Andy Calhoun via Unsplah

Marin & North Bay

Sausalito July 4th Festivities
Catch a parade followed by a picnic, live music and a fireworks show in the evening. Sure to be a full day of fun festivities for the family. Mon., Event details 

July 4th Picnic and Fireworks, Benicia
City Park will be filled with food, drinks, crafts, live music and kids’ activities in the ultimate hometown July 4th celebration. A robust fireworks show is the crescendo! Mon., Event details

American Canyon 4th of July Celebration
Celebrate America’s birthday with a concert in the park, parade and finish the day off with one of the best firework shows in the North Bay! Mon., Event details

Sonoma’s Hometown 4th of July Celebration
Partnering with the Volunteer Firefighter Association, this year’s fabulous July 4th party starts with a parade, moves on to a festival and ends with a fireworks show in the ultimate July 4th celebration. Mon., Event details 

—TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton and Christine Lai

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Memorial Day Weekend is mere days away. If you’re aching to get out of town but fearing there isn’t a viable destination at this eleventh hour, consider heading east to the Cascade Mountains. While only a two-hour drive from Seattle, a few days in Leavenworth will transport you to a sweet little slice of Bavaria. And with so many fun things to see, do and eat, you’ll be planning your return visit before you can even say bis später.

Where to stay?
The Enzian Inn (pictured below) is right across the street from downtown Leavenworth, and the decor is a warm, gorgeous, Bavarian-style that both grown-ups and kids will find comfortable and fun. They offer several room styles, with the Family Room being a popular pick — with two queens plus a sleeper sofa, it offers plenty of room to kick back and enjoy the view of the outdoor pool. Plus, the complimentary breakfast buffet is especially popular with the kids because of the daily alphorn performance (think Ricola cough drops!).

At the expansive Icicle Village Resort at the town’s western entry off Highway 2, you can choose from rooms at the Best Western Plus Icicle Inn or the Aspen Suites Condominiums. Either way, you will be a skip and a hop away from all the fun at the Icicle Junction Activity Center (more on this later).

For accommodations closer to nature, check out Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort, a beautiful 67-acre property surrounded by mountains and creeks. Here, you will find a variety of cabin and bunk room styles, an onsite spa and several dining options as well as a cool outdoor pool and family play barn — just a few of the amazing amenities at Sleeping Lady. If you want more room and privacy, or if you’re traveling with extended family or friends, a vacation home rental is a super fun way to go. Check out Leavenworth’s own site for finding a weekend place that’s just right for your family.

What to do?
Wow, where do we start? Leavenworth is a town that likes its festivals; there is at least one for every month! Mother’s Day weekend in May has Maifest, with plenty of traditional German music, dancing, and even medieval knights and horse-drawn wagons. June features the Bavarian Bike & Brews festival — perfect if you and the kiddos love to watch or participate in road racing (and if the grown-ups like microbrews). In July the Kinderfest and Independence Day festival is all about celebrating children; hayrides, a bike parade, tons of hands-on activities, and of course, music, crafts, and loads of tasty treats.

Downtown Leavenworth has Front Street Park, with its charming gazebo and maypole; a prime spot for sitting under a shady tree and people-watching while eating an ice cream cone. Waterfront Park, nestled along the Wenatchee River just a few blocks from downtown, is a birdwatcher’s dream. Enchantment Park has play fields, a playground, and several hiking trails and bike paths, as well as a bridge that connects you to Blackbird Island.

The Leavenworth Summer Theater features kid-friendly shows in a beautiful outdoor theater just a few minutes from downtown. If your family loves The Sound of Music or Fiddler on the Roof, add this venue to your list of to-do’s. You may even get to sing along with the Von Trapps!

For something totally offbeat, check out the Nutcracker Museum on Front Street. Yes, we said nutcrackers! At this awesome museum, see over 6,000 nutcrackers dating back 500 years. Your kiddos will go nuts for it (couldn’t help ourselves there). Or stop by Smallwood’s Harvest for tons of farm fun on the cheap. You can also pick up fresh fruits and veggies, grab a scoop of ice cream, and shop for unique gifts and specialty food and wine while your kiddos feed the goats, chickens, and alpacas or pan for gold.

Looking to get wet? 
River tubing, stand-up paddle boarding, whitewater rafting, and kayaking are all excellent options. Rent equipment and go it on your own, or book a guided trip. The folks at Leavenworth Outdoor Center will hook you up.

But wait, there’s more…
There are so many fantastic ways for you to enjoy all the incredible outdoor activities Leavenworth has to offer — fishing, biking, golfing, hiking, horseback riding, birding, zip lines, wagon rides. You name it, and Leavenworth very likely has it. At Icicle Junction Activity Center it’s all about playing, with its 18-hole Bavarian-themed mini-golf, arcade and game room, and sport court.

Of course, if you’d rather take it easy this weekend, then strolling through the charming streets of downtown Leavenworth may be more your pace. Unique kid-pleasing shops abound — from Kris Kringl, a year-round Christmas store, to The Wood Shop, featuring handcrafted toys and games, to Mainz Haus of Rock, where your little geologists will go goo-goo eyed over the crystals, fossils, and petrified wood.

Where to Eat?
Gustav’s is a family style pub that has been a Leavenworth favorite since 1982. A full selection of burgers, fries, sandwiches, and salads are available; when weather permits, the rooftop patio is lovely. Pavz is a creperie that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner; choose from savory or the sweet crepes, it’s all fantastic. You can’t go to Leavenworth and not have a brat — the German sausage kind, not the in-a-bad-state-kiddo kind. Leavenworth Sausage Garten makes it own sausages on the premises; wash it down with what’s on tap. For the little ones, regular beef or veggie dogs are available and all seating is outdoors! Blackbird Bistro, one of the newer places in town, has a cozy spot on a street corner and a hip vibe. Coffee, breakfast, and lunch is what they do, and they do it well.

Don’t forget your sweet tooth! Das Sweet Shoppe on Front Street has ice cream and all kinds of fun candy including a few blasts from the past! And the Gingerbread Factory is a cafe/bakery that will charm your kiddos with their cute exterior and their delish goodies — don’t miss their gingerbread houses (available all year-long) and melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

Will you be taking a trip to Leavenworth this spring or summer? Let us know in the comments below.

-Myriam Gabriel-Pollock

Photo Credits: Myriam GP, Ferrol H., Enzian Inn