Where to see 4th of July fireworks in L.A.

AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl is an explosive celebration of all things red, white and blue. The fireworks won’t shoot off until 9pm, but the Rose Bowl will open at 2pm with a goldmine of inflatable rides, games and crafts. If you don’t want to venture into the stadium (i.e. pay money), the show is viewable from the areas around the Arroyo, most notably along the Colorado Street Bridge and from parking garage rooftops in Old Pasadena.

Cruise on up to the Palisades for a beachy Independence Day extravaganza. Starting just before 2pm, a band of patriotic skydivers will descend from the stratosphere, kicking off the neighborhood’s colossal parade. The festivities continue with a concert (6pm) and fireworks (9pm), leaving nothing amiss from this year’s Fourth of July celebration.

There’s something about watching fireworks over the ocean. Every year in Marina del Rey, fireworks explode over the marina channel and spectators gather all over to watch: at Burton Chace Park or Fisherman’s Village (with synchronized music) as well as from Marina “Mother’s” Beach, waterfront hotels and restaurants, and on boats. Fireworks start at 9pm and last for about 20 minutes. Arrive early to the area’s county lots and take advantage of parking shuttles.

Watch the Long Beach fireworks from aboard the Queen Mary, where you’ll be able to scope out concerts, family-friendly activities and patriotic-themed events. Alternatively, find a spot anywhere along the waterfront including Belmont Pier, Veteran's Stadium or aboard a harbor cruise.

If you're on the hunt for a cheap, lively way to celebrate Uncle Sam, shake it over to Grand Park, and watch Downtown L.A. light up for free! This Fourth of July, Grand Park hosts a unique block party, featuring scrumptious food truck fare, live music and more. The music begins while the sun is still high in the sky, so bring yourself an all-day picnic—no booze allowed, only empty water bottles—and relax. Your four-legged friends are totally invited, and, best of all, the event is Metro accessible

What’s more American than spending your 4th of July around a bunch of monster trucks? That’s the idea behind Kaboom, an annual celebration at the Fairplex that features a monster truck derby, big-air motocross show and even a human cannonball demonstration, followed by a fireworks spectactular.

Dodger Stadium hosts fireworks throughout the season, but they do it up extra on the 4th of July. Buy tickets to see the team take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (on either the 3rd or 4th) and then stick around for a fireworks show you can see from your seat; line up on the field level near the end of the game and you can even watch from the outfield grass.

Disneyland shoots of fireworks practically every night of the year—and truth be told, we happen to think their Disney-fied shows are more memorable than their patriotic displays. But show up on the 4th to see a special red, white and blue salute.

Looking for 4th of July events or things to do with the family? Spend Independence Day hanging out at one of the best beaches in L.A., eating the city’s best BBQ, cooling with with classic frozen desserts and having fun at these kid-friendly events, neighborhood parades and celebratory festivals.