What to do for Fourth of July in San Diego

Fourth of July is approaching rapidly, and that means it’s time to nail down plans for a day of red, white and blue, cold beers and celebrating freedom. To help out, here are some top picks for what to do over the holiday weekend in San Diego for the Fourth of July weekend.

July 30-July 2: Hard Rock Hotel

To celebrate the Fourth in style, Hard Rock Hotel will be hosting a weekend full of fun, themed activities. Enjoy a happy hour on Friday, June 30 with $5 beers and $7 cocktails before Saturday’s event - the Sunburn pool party - with tickets starting at $20 for those 21+. Oh, and if that’s not enough, hit the special return of the long-standing pool party, Intervention, on Sunday, July 2. The Intervention pool party is complete with drinks and bites available for purchase, as well as cabanas and day beds rentals. To top it off, Lil Jon will perform a live DJ set. The fun goes from noon to 7 p.m. Tickets are available at SDintervention.com.

207 Fifth Ave., downtown. hardrockhotelsd.com

June 30 - July 1: Level Four Pool Deck + Lounge

This Independence Day weekend, Level Four Pool Deck and Lounge at Hotel Palomar downtown invites guests to partake in drinks, DJs, games and tacos. What more can a San Diegan ask for? The party starts on Friday, June 30 with a Belvedere vodka hosted pool party, with a DJ spinning from noon to 5 p.m. Drink specials will be offered from 3 to 5 p.m., as well. On Saturday, July 1, the tacos and music will continue on, and Ballast Point will also be taking over the pool deck. There are no cover fees for either event.

Level Four at Palomar Hotel, 1047 Fifth Ave., downtown. hotelpalomar-sandiego.com

June 30 - July 4: Harrah’s Resort SoCal

Escape the city and head north to Harrah’s Resort SoCal this upcoming Fourth of July. Enjoy summer cocktails at Dive Day Club, sip on handcrafted brews at SR76 and hit up the buffet. The cafe menu includes a pulled pork sandwich with a pineapple salsa, baked beans, cole slaw, mashed potatoes and apple pie for $15.99. Oh, and you can also try your luck at gambling to celebrate that while freedom to have fun thing.

777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Funner (Valley Center.) harrahssocal.com

June 30 - July 4: Pacific Beach AleHouse

If ocean views are high on the holiday weekend priority list, head to Pacific Beach AleHouse for a Fourth of July Red, White and Brew celebration. Guests can order $3 Jell-O shots and $5 Pacifico brews all weekend, plus there will be tunes provided by a nightly DJ starting at 10 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday.

721 Grand Avenue, Pacific Beach. pbalehouse.com

July 1: Horizon Beer & Music Festival

Enjoy unlimited beer tastings, beats from Robin Schulz and the beautiful surroundings of the San Diego Bay during the Horizon Beerfest. More than 50 craft beers are expected to be on hand. Tickets are still available and range from $40-$80 (with some tickets even including entry into Omnia or Parq nightclub later that night). This event supports Urban Angles, a nonprofit dedicated to helping feed the homeless.

Embarcadero Marina Park North, 400 Kettner Blvd., downtown. intothehorizon.com

July 1: Wiseguy Brewing Company

Up in Carlsbad, Wiseguy Brewing Company will be slinging independent craft beers at their Red, White and Brews Fest on from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 1. Event-goers can sip on beers in an outdoor beer garden, munch on food from Jax Pizza Shack, play cornhole and enjoy live music from Brew Dogs. There will also be a hot dog eating contest, because, well, because it’s America. The event is all-ages and free to attend.

5840 El Camino Real, Suite 100, Carlsbad. wiseguybrewing.com

July 1: Second Chance Beer Company

As evidenced by this rather beer-heavy event list, Fourth of July is just not complete without craft beer in San Diego, right? Second Chance Beer Company will be hosting a holiday weekend celebration complete with a brand new can release. The brewery will release Clever Hoppy Name and offer a pig roast feast, to boot. There will be vegetarian options and plates for kids, as well. Tickets are $4-15 and can be purchased at eventbrite.com.
15378 Avenue of Science, Suite 222, Poway. secondchancebeer.com

July 2: The Lafayette Hotel

Need to escape the warm weather, but also want to avoid the crazy beach crowd? No problem. Just cruise over to The Lafayette for the “heat freedom” pool party on Sunday, July 2 and take a dip in the pool. You can rent a cabana, or just groove to live music from the DJ. The party will rock from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets start at just $12 for presale and can be purchased at leparties.com.

2223 El Cajon Blvd., North Park. lafayettehotelsd.com

July 4: Top of the Hyatt

From 6-10 p.m., the Top of the Hyatt will offer stellar views of the fireworks from 40 stories up. Attendees can enjoy unlimited wine, beer, liquor and champagne as well as BBQ cuisine from the dinner buffet. Parking is free for attendees and seating is limited, so be sure to reserve a table in advance. This event is 21+. Tickets start at $150 and can be purchased at eventbrite.com

1 Market Place, downtown. manchester.grant.hyatt.com

July 4: Firehouse American Eatery + Lounge

Pacific Beach’s Firehouse is vowing to “Make America Fun Again” with a festive barbecue celebration. For $10, attendees can enjoy a mix of hot dogs, sliders and views of the Pacific Ocean. The rooftop restaurant will also offer a special Firehouse Firecracker drink, garnished with a red, white and blue ice pop. Oh, and not t miss will be the $4 PBR’s all day long.

722 Grand Ave., Pacific Beach. firehousepb.com

July 4: Fireworks shows around San Diego County

From Escondido to Imperial Beach, from La Jolla Cove to Santee, San Diego County will celebrate America’s 241st birthday in grand style - with fireworks, parades, concerts and community festivals. For a list of our favorite stretches of sand, patches of grass and stadium seats for watching spectacular fireworks shows planned throughout the region, go here.