One of the biggest days of the year is coming to the South Bay- the 4th of July! Residents of Redondo, Hermosa, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo and citizens from all around the South Bay celebrate the peak of the summer more so than any other spot in Los Angeles, and maybe the whole U.S.A. From crazy house parties, crowded bars and a swollen bike path plus several Fireworks shows, the biggest party of the year should be experienced at least once.
The bars will be busy early, but there are other options away from the mayhem as well, and the Beach Cities always have a full lineup.
Scene from Redondo Beach on a typical 4th of July afternoon in 2013 (Photo by South Bay Events).
- 2015 will have the traditional Fireworks shows, which are getting more impressive each year. Below are a list of bombs bursting in air and events celebrating this year’s 4th of July.
- There is a major show inside Redondo Beach’s Seaside Lagoon which will be visible from the Pier and Harbor areas and will feature live music and all-day entertainment. With budget cuts canceling the traditional huge shows at Wilson Park in Torrance, the Redondo show will be one of the largest in southern California. The Redondo Beach Independence Day Celebration at Seaside Lagoon starts at 2pm with many activities for kids and families including live bands, arts/crafts, workshops, water activities, dancing, food & beverage and more! Fireworks show will begin at 9pm, choreographed to patriotic music. Other shows that are currently open to the public are going to take place at Cabrillo Beach and Torrance Beach (shot from a barge offshore). The shows all begin between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. and more info can be found at Redondo Fireworks.
- Torrance Beach fireworks. The Briles family of Torrance will once again have its privately funded fireworks show off the coast of Torrance beach. Jackie Briles, 96, covers the cost of the show in honor of her late husband. The pyrotechnics will begin between 9 and 9:15 p.m. from a barge.
- El Segundo fireworks. El Segundo’s annual Fourth of July celebration will take place beginning at 10 a.m. in Recreation Park, 401 E. Sheldon St. There will be food, games, contests and music. Other Gundo like festivities happen throughout the day in this small town, sea-dide hamlet: water-balloon toss, pie-eating contest, and watermelon-eating contest. Live music from 5 to 7pm and the fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. To buy wristbands for grandstand seats and resident priority seating, call 310-524-2700.
- Marina Del Rey. Marina del Rey’s firework show is back with a new budget thanks to donations from local sponsors. The roughly 20-minute show starts at 9 p.m. over the Main Channel. The pyrotechnic display will be choreographed to music that will be broadcast over KXLU-FM 88.9 and relayed over loudspeakers in Burton Chace Park. The park is at 13650 Mindanao Way (one block west of Admiralty Way) and Fisherman’s Village is at 13755 Fiji Way. To find out more about the show including some of the best spots to see the fireworks, Take a look at this document.
- 4th of July 5K Presented by UCLA Health Systems: The 22nd Annual 4th of July 5K will take place in Redondo Beach on Independence Day. The race will begin at 8 a.m., starting and ending at Riviera Village while encountering a panoramic ocean view along the way. The race has become the fastest growing event in the South Bay area, beginning with a few hundred runners in the inaugural event and growing to an anticipated 5,000 runners for this year’s race. Rock & Brews PCH will host the post-race party at its location near the finish line.More Info
- Other Special Events: The city of Manhattan Beach is throwing a pool party at Begg Pool for the kiddies from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
- The city of Palos Verdes Estates is having their annual Independence Day celebration this year beginning at 9:30 a.m., including a bicycle parade and pie-eating contest.
- Rancho Palos Verdes: The city’s 39th annual Independence Day celebration will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Upper Point Vicente Park, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd. The event will feature music by the Palos Verdes Symphonic Band and a country band, arts and crafts, rides, games, hula hoop contests, a petting zoo, and more. Admission is free, and a complimentary shuttle will run from the Hawthorne Boulevard Ralphs store to the lot adjacent the Point Vicente Lighthouse on Palos Verdes Drive West. On-site parking costs $5 per vehicle.
Make sure you stay tuned to South Bay Events for updates of house parties, insider tips and more information as the biggest day of the year gets closer!