SAN DIEGO - Crowds flocking to San Diego beaches on a very warm 4th of July weekend overwhelmed parking lots near the beach.
San Diego police issued a SigAlert for beach areas, warning of heavy traffic congestion and parking lots filled to capacity.
They advised people who head to the beach areas to watch for traffic control officers who are assisting with traffic flow.
More than 750,000 people are expected to line the San Diego Bay Saturday night to witness the "Big Bay Boom,'' the largest Fourth of July fireworks spectacle in the region.
The annual pyrotechnics show put on by the Port of San Diego features fireworks shot simultaneously from four barges to live music broadcasts.
The best places to view the nearly 20-minute-long fireworks show, according to organizers, are from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Seaport Village and Coronado Ferry Landing.
During the day, parades and Independence Day carnivals are planned around San Diego County, before fireworks light up the night sky at about adozen locations in the region.
The annual "Spirit of the Fourth'' festival is being held in Rancho Bernardo, featuring a pancake breakfast, entertainment, military displays, a parade, car show and fireworks.
There will be Fourth of July parades in Scripps Ranch and Mira Mesa with marching bands, firefighters and a color guard. A fireworks display is planned in Mira Mesa once the sun goes down.
At the San Diego County Fair, which concludes Sunday, there will be a "Hometown Heroes'' parade, a performance by Smokey Robinson and a 9 p.m. fireworks spectacle.
In Carlsbad, Legoland California will hold its annual "Red, White andBoom!'' Fourth of July celebration with games, entertainment and fireworks.
"As American as Apple Pie'' will be the theme of a Fourth of July parade in Julian. The parade will feature horses, antique cars, and appearancesby Miss Julian, belly dancers, drill teams and marching bands.
El Cajon will hold its annual Fourth of July picnic and fireworks show at Kennedy Park and an Independence Day carnival will conclude with fireworks at National City's Kimball Park.
At night, tens of thousands of people will line the shores of Mission Bay for two separate fireworks shows being put on by SeaWorld and the MissionBay Yacht Club.
Independence Day fireworks are also scheduled at La Jolla Cove and off the end of the Ocean Beach Pier. The annual fireworks in Oceanside and Chula Vista were canceled this year due to limited funding. Many other annual observances are still being held.
All shows on July 4th unless otherwise stated:
San Diego:
Coronado: Glorietta Bay
9 p.m. Day-long festivities with the annual Coronado Independence Day parade at 10 a.m.
La Jolla Cove
9 p.m.
Fireworks are best be seen from La Jolla Cove, Scripps Park and La Jolla Shores.
Mira Mesa Recreation Center
9 p.m. Food, rides, games and entertainment in Mira Mesa Community Park during the day. 8575 New Salem Street.
Mission Bay Yacht Club
9 p.m. 1251 Carmel Place - West Mission Bay.
Ocean Beach Pier
9 p.m. Ocean Blvd. & Newport Ave.
Mission Bay: Paradise Point Resort
9 p.m. 1404 Vacation Road, Mission Bay - This event is held on July 3.
San Diego Bay
9 p.m.
Fireworks will be discharged simultaneously from four barges placed strategically around the bay off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero area and Seaport Village.
Mission Bay: Sea World
9:30 p.m. (July 3-July 5) Viewing also available along Crown Point, and all around the Sea World and Mission Bay area.
East County:
Santee: Town Center Community Park Ballfields
9 p.m. 9400 Cuyamaca
Spring Valley Park
9 p.m. Spring Valley Swap Meet. The fireworks will be launched from the Swap Meet parking lot. Spring Valley Park is best spot to watch display.
La Mesa Lake Murray
9:15 p.m. All-day Music Fest takes place at park.
North County:
Rancho Bernardo: Webb Park
9 p.m. Webb Park 11000 Avena Place. The Annual Rancho Bernardo Spirit of the 4th Festival & Parade runs from 7:00 a.m.- 9:30 p.m.
San Marcos: Bradley Park
9 p.m. Food and music are part of the celebration happening earlier in the day. 465 S. Rancho Santa Fe.
Vista: Brengle Terrace Park
9 p.m. Daylong festivities. 1200 Vale Terrace Drive.
Camp Pendleton: Del Mar Beach
9 p.m. All day activities including music, food and games.
Escondido: Grape Day Park
9 p.m. Afternoon festivities, including game and food booths, music and entertainment. 321 N. Broadway.
Carlsbad: Legoland
8:30 p.m. included with admission.
Ramona: Olive Peirce Middle School
9 p.m. Grounds open at 5 p.m. for town picnic including food booths and games.
San Diego County Fair: Del Mar Fairgrounds
9 p.m. included with admission.
South Bay:
National City: Kimball Park
9 p.m. Carnival rides, games and food booths. 12th Street and “D” Avenue.
Pet Safety
The sound of Fourth of July fireworks could frighten family pets and cause them to run away, officials from the Helen Woodward Animal Center warned Tuesday.
"Even if the fireworks are several miles away, the sound can terrify family pets," said John Van Zante, spokesman for the Rancho Santa Fe animal center.
"If they don't have safe places to hide, or if there's a way for them to run out a door or escape through a fence, your pet will be gone," he said.
More family pets run away from home on the Fourth of July than during any other day of the year because of fireworks, according to the HWAC, which offered the following tips to protect pets:
- don't take pets to fireworks displays;
- bring pets indoors before fireworks displays begin;
- make sure pets have access to their "safe place" or find a quiet, comfortable, enclosed room where they can hide; and
- leave the radio or television on for background noise if you go to a fireworks display and leave your pets at home.
Van Zante also encouraged residents to get their pets microchipped.
"Many pets that run away during the fireworks escape by slipping out of their collars," he said. "A microchip will identify your pet if it ends up at a shelter."
