4th of July San Diego Festivities: Where to Watch Fireworks and Celebrate

Are you ready for the biggest July 4^th celebration and fireworks display in the U.S.? We are…and we would love to invite you to celebrate with us at the Best Western Island Palms in San Diego this summer.

We will welcome you to Island Palms with friendly aloha, a tiki torch entrance, and palm tree greeting from our tropically inspired Shelter Island hotel in the heart of San Diego's Hawaiian Isle.

Our near-perfect waterfront Shelter Island location is the best place to be for all the exciting 4^th of July San Diego celebrations! And since Independence Day falls on a Friday this year (Yay!), it is the perfect reason to turn it into a weekend full of festivities, including exciting fireworks in San Diego at the Big Bay Boom on Friday night!  Make plans to spend Saturday exploring the local shops and walking paths around Shelter Island, then head to one of our amazing beaches for an afternoon or sunset adventure! Sleep in a bit on Sunday morning, then enjoy an amazing brunch at our onsite Blue Wave Bar & Grill followed by a relaxing pool day soaking in the California sunshine.

And… You will be just minutes from the most popular attractions like Sea World and the San Diego Zoo! Guests will also enjoy Island Palm’s resort-style amenities that include pools, tennis courts, hot tubs, and a poolside fireplace with cocktails.

Best Fireworks for 4^th of July San Diego Celebrations

Big Bay Boom Fireworks Show - Celebrate this July 4^th with the biggest fireworks display in Southern California at the Big Bay Boom celebration. The festivities kick off on Friday, July 4 for this popular holiday event. Shelter Island is the best place to see the Big Bay Boom 4^th of July San Diego fireworks, making the Best Western Island Palms the perfect place to stay! 

This spectacular Big Bay Boom 4th of July celebration is one you won’t soon forget. It is a perfectly choreographed 17-minute firework show that will be discharged simultaneously from several barges off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero North, Seaport Village, Embarcadero South, Marina Park, and Coronado Ferry Landing. And the best part is that Best Western Island Palms guests staying with us for Independence Day can watch this stunning display just a few steps from their Shelter Island hotel!

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your fireworks San Diego experience at the Big Boom Bay celebration.

Tips for 4^th of July Fireworks San Diego Big Boom Bay Show

• Grab dinner or drinks at the hotel at the Blue Wave Bar & Grill before the fireworks show
• Plan to arrive early, as there will be a large crowd
• Parking will be limited, so consider a rideshare or walking the short distance from the Best Western Island Palms
• It’s a good idea to bring chairs or blankets to view the fireworks display and find the perfect, grassy spot along the shoreline.

SeaWorld San Diego Fireworks Celebration

Celebrate 4^th of July San Diego style at SeaWorld, with their annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks display. Happening from June 30–July 4, guests will enjoy spectacular fireworks that are synchronized to a festive musical score with a good mix of exciting pyrotechnics! SeaWorld San Diego offers one of the best fireworks experiences and shows in the area, and you won’t want to miss it! Show your patriotic spirit and be delighted by the dazzling fireworks display, which is free with admission to SeaWorld San Diego! This stunning display is sure to please as it illuminates SeaWorld’s skyline and captivates visitors with glowing flames, spectacular sparks, and plenty of holiday surprises. SeaWorld San Diego has two nights of fireworks at the San Diego park – Thursday, July 3, and Friday July 4. These exciting firework displays begin around 9PM and can be viewed from all around the expansive SeaWorld San Diego park. In addition to the spectacular fireworks display at SeaWorld San Diego, visitors can also enjoy a full day at the popular amusement park where there are plenty of theme park rides, delicious food and drink options, shopping opportunities, fascinating animal shows, up-close and personal encounters with sea life, and so much more! If you’re looking for a great way to spend the holiday weekend, definitely put SeaWorld San Diego at the top of your list of fun things to do!

Celebrate 4^th of July San Diego Style at the Best Western Island Palms on Shelter Island 

Prepare for a weekend celebration in San Diego for Independence Day festivities and waterfront fun at the Best Western Island Palms. Spend the holiday seeing the amazing fireworks San Diego offers, then relax for a long weekend lounging at our pools, biking the paths along the coast, and relaxing in the hot tub!

Make your reservation today to be part of the exciting 4^th of July fireworks and celebrations in San Diego. Enjoy our coastal oasis and choose from guest rooms featuring spacious suites with waterfront views, private patios or balconies, and other perks including in-room massages and room service from our onsite restaurant. Make it a July 4^th you won’t soon forget at the Best Western Island Palms in San Diego.

San Diego Wildlife by the Water: Seals, Dolphins & Whales, Oh My!

San Diego’s perfect coastal location offers locals and visitors to the area a variety of unique activities and adventures along the shore. Whether you are hoping to catch a glimpse of the playful dolphins, explore a local tide pool, or visit a seaside aquarium, the chance for exciting encounters with the local San Diego sea lions, whales, and seals is one you don’t want to miss.

The Best Western Island Palms is the best hotel in San Diego to stay during your family wildlife adventure vacation. We have amazing resort-style amenities and are close to the whale watching San Diego opportunities, the San Diego seals, and more.

Best Places to See San Diego Wildlife

Shelter Island

Dolphin Watching San Diego – To catch a glimpse of frolicking sea life, just spend some time on San Diego Bay, where dolphins and San Diego seals can often be seen playing in the local waters close to shore.

Shelter Island Shoreline Park – This popular dog-friendly park is great for bird watching and offers amazing, sweeping coastal views of the San Diego skyline and Bay! It also features a public fishing pier and boat launching ramp for a fun day exploring near the Best Western Island Palms in San Diego.

Point Loma

Explore Tide Pools San Diego – Located on the Cabrillo National Monument property in San Diego, Point Loma is home to fascinating local tide pools where you can get an up-close look at marine life during low tide. Follow the short trail with many steps to the tide pool or hike the one-mile Coastal Trail. Expect to see crabs, sea stars, and more along the rocky shoreline and observe them in their natural habitat. You might also be lucky enough to see the migrating whales as they pass by Point Loma!

La Jolla

La Jolla Cove Tide Pools San Diego – Spend the perfect day discovering local marine life at the La Jolla tide pools. This popular rocky beach and its tide pools are also a great place to swim and snorkel, which offers another chance to discover local sea creatures.  

San Diego Sea Lions at the Children’s Pool – Often referred to as Seal Beach, the Children’s Pool is a popular place to see the San Diego sea lions and playful seals sun bathing. It’s so much fun watching these creatures play in the local waters and enjoy their (almost) private beach! It’s also a great place to swim, due to its breakwater, which was constructed to create a safe swimming area.

Snorkeling and Kayaking at the La Jolla Sea Caves - Take a guided kayak tour with La Jolla Kayak and navigate on an adventure through the unique La Jolla sea caves! Spend the afternoon in the Crown Jewel of San Diego and encounter leopard sharks, sea lions, and dolphins along the California coastline as you kayak, snorkel, swim, and explore the La Jolla sea caves in San Diego.

On the Water in San Diego

Whale Watching San Diego - Next Level Sailing offers harbor cruises that give you an opportunity for an amazing adventure during your summer vacation in SoCal. Climb aboard the 141-foot sailing yacht ‘America’ for an unforgettable whale watching San Diego marine life experience. The professional team at Next Level Sailing will teach you about these amazing creatures during your 4-hour whale watching San Diego tour.  Since blue whale season is June through September each year, you will see these spectacular sea creatures during your summer adventure, as well as a variety of other whales, including humpback, fin, and minke. In addition, you will see San Diego sea lions and enjoy dolphin watching San Diego tours while on the water.

Beyond the Beach

San Diego Zoo – If you’re looking for more exciting wildlife adventures and encounters in San Diego, the San Diego Zoo should be at the top of your list! With over 3,700 animals to see and a variety of newly updated exhibits, the San Diego Zoo is the perfect place to enjoy some family time. You’ll also enjoy watching a 4-D theater show, a guided bus tour around the park, and a ride on the miniature train!

San Diego Zoo Safari Park – This amazing park in San Diego offers open-range wildlife encounters, and it is a fun and unique way to spend the day. Your adventure at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park starts with a true safari experience on over 1,800 acres that is one of the largest free-range animal habitats in the world. You will see over 2,500 different types of animals, have a chance to feed the giraffes, take a guided tour, and enjoy a variety of exciting activities at this popular San Diego summer destination. 

SeaWorld San Diego - Located just minutes from the Best Western Island Palms, SeaWorld San Diego is always a favorite of locals and visitors of Southern California.  Enjoy a variety of exciting animal shows with whales and other marine life. You’ll also enjoy seeing the dolphins at San Diego Sea World as well as educational exhibits at this popular marine life theme park. Join the summer fun at SeaWorld with a variety of exciting park activities, including thrilling amusement park rides like the Journey to Atlantis and Oscar’s Rocking Eel! There will also be delicious treats and even fireworks! Also, be sure to check out the new ‘Jewels of the Sea’ jellyfish aquarium that offers an up-close look at these fascinating creatures. Other shows include Sea Lions LIVE, One Ocean, and Pets Rule!  

Living Coast Discovery Center – If you want to discover our wildlife by the water in San Diego, there is truly no better place than the Living Coast Discovery Center. Located on the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge, the center opened in 1987 and has served the San Diego community for over 30 years. Open daily Wednesday through Sunday from 10 to 5, their goal is to inspire the community to connect with and care for our coastal environment. A visit to the Living Coast Discovery Center offers private animal encounters, hiking, sea turtle presentations, shark and sea ray exhibits, bald eagle shows, and more!

Explore the Waterfront from our Island San Diego Hotel

The Best Western Island Palms is the perfect choice for a vacation to San Diego to explore our wildlife by the water. Guests enjoy resort-style amenities, including two pools and hot tubs, tennis courts, an onsite restaurant, and a fitness center. You’ll be just a few steps from the walking and biking paths along the Bay, as well as a variety of opportunities to get up close and personal with our local marine life.