Name: Celebrating the 4th of July
Item: Celebrating the 4th of July
Author: Marilyn

There are lots of ways to celebrate Independence Day around the Monterey Bay.
Most fireworks are either limited or illegal, check before you light up.

No fireworks on any beaches.

[tabs][tab title=”Monterey County”]

Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel turns red, white and blue for day with live music, food, fun and games.
What: Carmel 4th of July
Where: Devendorf Park on Ocean Ave
When: 10-3:30pm

Monterey
Downtown Monterey has multiple events throughout the day. Kicks off the holiday at 7am with a pancake breakfast followed by the 4th of July parade which marches down Alvarado and Calle Principal at 10am. Then stay for the annual lawn party on the grass in front of Colton Hall on Pacific Street from 11am to 4:30pm. BBQ, non-stop live music, carnival games, face painting and food booths.
What: Monterey 4th of July Celebration
Where: Grounds of City Hall, Pacific Ave
When: Friday, July 4

Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove has live entertainment, kids activities, music, and an old-fashioned BBQ at Caledonia Park.
What: 4th of July BBQ
Where: Caledonia Park (behind the Post Office)
When: 11am-3pm

Seaside
The City of Seaside will be celebrating the 4th of July with live music, arts and crafts, pony rides, bounce houses, prizes and food vendors.
What: Seaside Red, White & Blues
When: 11-4pm
Where: TBD

Spreckles
This small town in the Salinas Valley honors America’s Independence with a 5k and 10k race followed by a parade, crafts, and food.
What: TBD

[/tab] [tab title=”Santa Cruz County”]

Aptos
This is a fun community parade that attracts big crowds. Watch the parade along Soquel Drive. Food, vendors, music at Aptos Village Park
What: World’s Shortest Parade
Where: Soquel Drive between State Park Drive and Trout Gulch Road
When: Friday, July 4. Parade 10-noon, Party in the Park 11-4pm

Boulder Creek
Parade, music, food, it’s a block party!
What: Parade and Block Party
Where: TBD
When: 10-2pm

Capitola
What: TBD
Where: TBD
When: TBD

Felton
Witness shootouts between famed lawmen and notorious outlaws from the 1880’s aboard the Redwood Forest Train to Bear Mountain. See why the West was wild!
What: Fourth of July at Roaring Camp
Where: Roaring Camp, 5401 Graham Hill Rd, Felton
When: Friday, July 4

Santa Cruz
Old-fashioned Independence Day
All are welcome to join in an early 1900s-style Independence Day celebration! Join the parade through the ranch at high noon. Ongoing events include lawn games, and machine shop and blacksmith demos. Live music, fresh baked goods and hand-cranked ice cream, living history demos, crafts, games. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
What: Old-fashioned Independence Day at Wilder Ranch
Where: Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz
When: 11-4pm

Fun Run
With three distances, 1k, 5k and 10k, there’s something for the whole family! A Santa Cruz tradition since 1985, the Firecracker is a great family event. Begins in Harvey West Park and winds up to Pogonip and back through neighborhoods on the west side of town. Runners and walkers invited. Fun run for kids begins 30-minutes before the main event.
What: July 4 Firecracker Run
When: 8am
Where: Harvey West Park

Pleasure Point community parade
What: Pleasure Point 4th of July Parade
When: 10-noon
Where: 33rd at East Cliff to the Hook

Scotts Valley
Parade, food, flyover, BBQ. No fireworks this year.
What: Scotts Valley 4th of July
Where: Sky Park, 361 Kings Village Rd
When: Friday, July 4 at 1pm

Watsonville
The Spirit of Watsonville 4th of July parade proceeds down Main St. from St. Patrick’s Church to First Street.
What: Spirit of Watsonville 4th of July
Where: Main St. from St. Patrick’s Church to First Street.
When: Friday, July 4 at noon

[/tab] [tab title=”Volunteer for a cleanup”]

Save our Shores!

Volunteer to clean our beaches and rivers
Our beaches will be overwhelmed with visitors and unfortunately, their trash. Join Save Our Shores to cleanup our beaches and waterways after the 4th celebrations. Help keep our beaches and the bay free from trash.
What: Holiday Relief Cleanup
Where: Beaches and rivers throughout Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties
When: 9am-4pm

[/tab][/tabs]

Celebrating the 4th of July

Login