Before staking out a spot along Orange Avenue at the crack of dawn to begin a full day of festivities for the Coronado Fourth of July, there is one essential thing to keep in mind: preparation.
It is never advisable to go into a unique situation unprepared, and with 100,000 to 150,000 people joining in on the day’s activities, it is crucial to know where to be, what not to miss, and how to celebrate the day correctly, like a true islander.
Luckily, the Coronado Fourth of July has organized plenty of events for the big day perfect for island residents and visitors alike.
Here is an inside look at the best places to be and things to do while in town for Independence Day.
Events leading up to the fourth
On Friday, June 30, the Hotel del Coronado will be hosting a fireworks show over the pristine Coronado Beach, recently ranked the sixth best beach in America by coastal expert Stephen P. Leatherman.
Grab a spot on the expansive white sand to watch the dazzling show at 8:45 p.m. and kickstart the infectious Fourth of July spirit.
The annual Fourth of July Open Water Swim will take place on Saturday, July 1, marking 65 years of history. Deck out in patriotic gear to compete in various distance races in Glorietta Bay park. Visit https://coronadoroughwaterswim.org/fourth-of-july/ to register.
On Monday, July 3, at 6 p.m, a gathering of bikers will meet at Star Park to circumnavigate the entire island.
Join in on the action either with your own bike, or a rental from one of the varied selections of bike rental shops on the island. (For extra flair, don’t be afraid to decorate your bike to fit the Fourth of July theme.)
The day of the Fourth
The day of the Fourth crowds of people will shift to each event like one big, family friendly movable party.
Since most traffic will be shut down early, find a place to park on-time and then enjoy the rest of the day by foot or bike. Here’s a list of events.
Crown City Classic: 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Get the day started early with a morning run decked out in red, white and blue with The Crown City Classic. The Classic will be hosting the 50th annual 12K and 5K run along Coronado Bay, starting and finishing in Tidelands park. To register, sign up at https://crowncityrun.com/.
The Parade: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This goes without saying: to get a prime location for the parade, get parked and set up early. While a blanket is all that is necessary, a pop-up tent may be helpful to shade the midday heat. The parade will span from 1st street to Churchill place.
While waiting for the parade to start, it can be fun to take kids to the start of the parade, near 1st Street, to see the lineup of horses and parade floats. (Insider tip: chalk is a great pastime for both kids and adults waiting for the parade to start. Don’t be shocked to find chalk circles drawn on the cement solely for the purpose of betting on where the horses will poop during the parade.)
Navy Leap Frogs Aerial demonstration: 2 p.m.
See a live demonstration of the U.S. Navy’s Leap Frog Parachute Team at the Coronado Golf Course.
Fourth of July Concerts: 3 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Enjoy live music on the Coronado Golf Course before the fireworks show starts. There will be a public kid’s concert, a patriotic concert by Coronado Concert Band, and public concerts by “IT’s NEVER 2L8” and “PHT & The Honky Tonk Nights.”
Insider’s tip: The time spent in between the Parade and the fireworks show is also enjoyed by many on the bay or at the beach. Spend time with friends and family on boats, stand up paddle boards, or kayaks.
For those who don’t have access to these water activities, check out rental options from Seaforth Boat Rentals, or head to Stingray Point for a picnic to get situated early for the Fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Fireworks Show: 9 p.m.
Head to the golf course for a brilliant Fourth of July fireworks demonstration over Glorietta Bay, off of Stingray Point. Tune into the soundtrack at KYXY Radio 96.5 FM. Title sponsor: City of Coronado.
Get Ready for Fourth of July!
Are you ready to celebrate Independence Day at Coronado’s Fourth of July festivities? Visit our CFOJ webpage at thecoronadonews.com/fourth-of-july/, where you’ll find all the information you need to make this year’s celebration unforgettable. Check out local hotel accommodations, restaurant recommendations, and more!
