The Top 10 Spots to Watch Fireworks in San Francisco This Fourth of July
O say, where can you see fireworks in San Francisco? We’ve got you covered.
San Francisco knows how to do the holidays, and the Fourth of July is no exception. The San Francisco Bay Area’s scenic landscapes are wonderfully dramatic backdrops for the Independence Day celebration.
The best part? The prettiest places to watch the fireworks are free and open to the public, which means you don’t have to go to an overpacked location to celebrate July 4th.
These views are mesmerizing enough to spend an evening on any given day. But on July 4th, these dreamy tableaus are ignited and come to life in a once-in-a-year fashion.
If you’re looking for the best spot to watch fireworks in or near San Francisco this Fourth of July, keep scrolling until you find the one that speaks to you.
Bernal Heights Park, San Francisco, CA
For a more low-key but nonetheless mesmerizing spot to watch the Fourth of July Fireworks, make your way to San Francisco’s village-like arrondissement Bernal Heights and hike up to the summit at Bernal Heights Park. Atop the park, you’ll get a sweeping view of San Francisco and almost the entirety of the Bay. This is somewhat far from where a lot of fireworks will be launched, so the view will be a bit distanced (or, in cinema terms, “a long shot”). If you want a chiller 4th of July while still being at a world-class location, you won’t regret hanging here.
Related: Beyond the Fog Belt: A Guide to Bernal Heights
Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA
Treasure Island has unobstructed views of San Francisco’s skyline and a clear view of the East Bay from which you can spot UC Berkeley’s landmark campanile. Considering the moody vibes of Treasure Island, its devastating panoramic views, and the surrounding water on which fireworks will reflect, this island is certainly a great spot to consider to watch fireworks as so long as you’re willing the travel midway across the Bay Bridge that evening.
Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, CA
Residents of the East Bay and longtime Bay locals already know that the view from the Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science offers an incomparable view of the City–it resembles Dorothy’s view of the Emerald City from the poppy field. If you want to get out of the City but still want a view of its beauty, go here. You can hike here from near UC Berkeley’s campus if you so choose (it’ll be a rigorous two-hour hike to get up there), but it’ll be easier to just drive up and park. Once you arrive at the vista, you’ll wonder why you don’t spend more time in the East Bay.
Related: 9 Best Hiking Trails in the San Francisco Bay Area
Corona Heights Park, San Francisco, CA
Corona Heights Parks offers a bit of a more distanced view of the July 4th fireworks, but it is less frequented than other popular vistas in the City. With plenty of standing room and some rocks to sit on, Corona Heights Park is perfect of a subdued but still awesome July 4th, fitting for locals and tourists alike.
Related: Views and Victorians: Spend a Day in the New Alamo Square Park
Coit Tower, San Francisco, CA
Spend the evening at one of San Francisco’s most central historical landmarks. If you take a car to the tower, make sure to park down a couple of blocks below and hike your way up, as the parking lot will for sure be packed. Once you’ve reached the grounds of Coit Tower, you’ll get a nearly birds-eye view of the San Francisco Bay. With the Coit Tower in your background and the illuminated Bay Bridge in the foreground, this is one of the most aesthetic places to watch fireworks for the 4th.
Twin Peaks Summit, San Francisco, CA
Twin Peaks is a very popular summit for view-chasers on any given day of the year. It will likely get busy on the night of Independence Day, so we recommend getting there as early as possible so you can claim some real estate before everyone else does. The popularity of Twin Peaks is totally warranted, so giving this a shot for July 4th is worth the extra effort.
Pier 39, San Francisco, CA
The Fourth of July festivities along the Embarcadero, namely at Pier 39 and Pier 41 (or even Fisherman’s Wharf), tend to be densely populated since it is at the center of the action. If you’re looking for a more rowdy Fourth of July and want to be surrounded by lots of people, you’ll love this. This is equal parts tourist trap and quintessential San Francisco, so everyone should do it at least once.
Crissy Field, Presidio, San Francisco, CA
The expansive Crissy Field at the Presidio is one of the most serene and least clustered public places to hang out in San Francisco, which would thus provide a lovely respite from packed bars and tourist traps on the Fourth of July. With plenty of space and wide shots of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, Crissy Field is a worthy choice to spectate for those who want a great view with lots of legroom.
The Bay Trail, Foster City, CA
Get away from urban anxieties without having to cross a bridge or deal with Berkeley congestion. Head southbound to the suburbs to the Bay Trail in Foster City. This long levy has great eastward views of the Bay. There are plenty of spots to sit and watch fireworks along with the levy, so you won’t have the fight for real estate, nor will you have to fret over parking. From the Bay Trail, you’ll be able to see not only Foster City’s own fireworks but fireworks from various cities in the East Bay and Peninsula.
Emeryville Marina, Emeryville, CA
The Emeryville Marina is another one of the East Bay’s best-kept secrets, offering unobstructed views of the City skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate, and the North Bay’s landscape. The park at the marina is an idyllic spot to unwind and relax before the fireworks if you want to spend an evening there. Considering the open views of the Bay, this will be a front row to all the fireworks that shoot over the Bay.
