Fireworks in Rancho Park and Los Angeles

[Eddie North-Hager]

 Despite the fact that fireworks are banned in Los Angeles and many of its sister cities, they really know how to do the Fourth of July right.

My wife loves firework displays. In LA alone, we've seen fireworks from the Colorado St. bridge in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl show and from the deck of a home in the Palos Verdes hills watching the panorama from Carson's Home Depot to San Pedro's Queen Mary. We watched the Culver City show with neighbors from a bridge over Ballona Creek.

Nothing beats laying back on a blanket in Christmas Tree Lane outside the Coliseum and seeing that spectacular show go off directly above my head. But the shows at the Hollywood Bowl come real close.

Last year we celebrated Independence Day watching the show over the Ohio River in Louisville, Ky., the city of my birth.

One of the best shows we ever saw was when we hiked to the top of the Aztec Pyramid like steps of the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook for a 360 degree view of fireworks from Redondo Beach to Century City to the Coliseum and at eye level the Culver City display (and all the illegal home shows in between).

Fireworks in LA and beyond 

Rancho Park

Tradition is important and in Rancho Park residents head to Cheviot Park on Motor, bring a picnic, some sports equipment, blankets and chairs and watch the Hillcrest Country Club fireworks show from right across the street.

Great views, no crowds. The show starts at 9:00 p.m.

Marina Del Rey
County budget cuts put a damper on the celebration - NO fireworks this year over the main channel in Marina del Rey

Culver City

The Culver City show and festival originates at Culver City High School. Gates and can be seen for miles around. Gates open at 5:00 pm, and the fireworks begin at 9:00 pm. There is a suggested donation of $2.00 per person and $5.00 parking fee (so ride your bike!)

• Where: Culver City High School, 4401 Elenda St, Culver City.
• Celebrate Independence Day at Culver City High School. Purchase hotdogs, soda, and Kettle Corn. You can also get tickets for the Exchange Club's raffle, which features grand prizes of an LCD flat screen TV and $100 gift certificates good at Westfield Fox Hills Mall. There will be great live music for entertainment.
  

Echo Park 

Dodger Stadium

The Los Angeles Dodgers face the New York Mets but the fireworks likely will occur after the 6 p.m. game.
6  pm
Info: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=la

Find more photos like this on University Park FamilyHollywood
Hollywood Bowl
2301 North Highland Ave.

July 4th Fireworks Spectacular with special guests Daryl Hall & John Oates
Saturday, July 2, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 3, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, July 4, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
323.850.2000
http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/tickets/performance-detail.cfm?id=4229

Burbank
Starlight Bowl
1249 Lockheed View Drive

The United States Air Force will flyover and the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra will play during the "best fireworks show in Los Angeles."

When: 5:30 p.m. Fireworks - 9 p.m

http://www.starlightbowl.com/july4.html

Pasadena
Rose Bowl
"Americafest 2011" - 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

• 7:00 pm   Jan & Dean Show featuring Dean Torrence
• 9:05 pm   Americafest Fireworks: The Biggest Fireworks Show in Southern California Produced by PyroSpectaculars by Souza
• Tickets: $13 Active Military with ID FREE
• http://www.rosebowlstadium.com/RoseBowl_Americafest.php

Leimert Park

 

Bring a blanket, chair and picnic to watch the fireworks while laying on the grass just outside the LA Coliseum. The show starts at 9 and features "contemporary" music. Free parking at the King and Hoover entrance to the Coliseum.

 

But first don't forget the 4th of July Jazz and Blues Festival in Leimert Park at the Vision Theatre. The music is from 1 to 7 p.m. and ends just in time to get a good spot at the Coliseum.
Info: 213-202-5500, www.culturela.org

San Pedro
Live music, U.S. military exhibits, tours of a Navy frigate, armed forces, and U.S. Coast Guard demonstrations, displays by the LA City Fire Department’s firefighting boat, and the Washington Artillery Reenactment group followed by fireworks.
When: July 4, noon – 10 pm
Where: Cabrillo Beach, 3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro
Cost: Free
Info: 310-548-7401, www.laparks.org

 

Long Beach
The Queen Mary

When: Noon to 10 p.m.

• Strolling performers, Balloon Artists, Face Painters and Uncle Sam!
• GRAMMY Nominated, Lisa Haley and the Zydekats, 4:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.
• Dance the night away on the Verandah Deck located on the stern of the ship.

http://www.queenmary.com/July-Fourth.aspx

Carson
LA Galaxy will play the Seattle Sounders FC with post game fireworks at the Home Depot Center.
When: 7:30 PM
Info:www.lagalaxy.com, 1-877-342-5499

 

The LAPD will have several DUI checkpoints and special patrols so be safe and sane with fireworks and driving.

• July 1, 2011 (Friday) – Sobriety Checkpoint from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in LAPD’s Devonshire Area on Reseda Boulevard at Nordhoff Street
• July 1, 2011 (Friday) – Sobriety Checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. in LAPD’s North Hollywood Area on Lankershim Boulevard at Cumpston Street
• July 2, 2011 (Saturday) – Sobriety Checkpoint from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in LAPD’s Southwest Area on Figueroa Street at 40th Place
• July 3, 2011 (Sunday) – DUI Saturation Patrol from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. in LAPD’s Foothill Area
• July 3, 2011 (Sunday) – DUI Saturation Patrol from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. in LAPD’s Harbor Area
• July 4, 2011 (Monday) – Sobriety Checkpoint from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. in LAPD’s West Los Angeles Area on Pacific Coast Highway at Temescal Canyon Road.

For further information, please contact Officer Don Inman, Emergency Operations Division, at 213-486-0703.

[Orli Belman]

Great List Eddie. Thanks for compiling. Looks like there are some great options throughout LA this year. A little farther south, the Disneyland fireworks shows remain a great summer treat.