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Advice for the Fourth
updated: Jun 29, 2010, 2:33 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

I would like to hear some local tips and tricks for navigating the 4th of July fireworks at the waterfront. Best parking? Best time to arrive? Other advice?

Fireworks photo by Dan Seibert

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Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

EDONE	2010-06-29 02:35 PM
Here is a link from the city here that includes public transit info.
COMMENT 86082	2010-06-29 02:44 PM
chances are you will not find parking at a waterfront parking lot. and then all the neighborhoods are filled. just ride your bike.
COMMENT 86083	2010-06-29 02:46 PM
Ride your bike, or park "mid-town" and take the Downtown/Waterfront shuttle to the beach.
COMMENT 86085	2010-06-29 02:48 PM
Go to Shoreline Park and tear down the yellow tape that someone uses every year to block off the bench overlooking the harbor, and just sit there.
COMMENT 86088	2010-06-29 03:00 PM
BIKE
ANEMONEFISH	2010-06-29 03:04 PM
If you must drive a car, park a few blocks uptown and either walk down to the beach or take the shuttle. Earlier you go, more choices of places to sit. (Take a light wrap.) It's the return trip you'll enjoy since the post-fireworks stroll under the 101 and back up State Street for a few blocks with the throng is a hoot. We find the walkway beside Sea Landing on the far west side to be a good spot to see the show and avoid the crush. You can watch the operators launch the fireworks from there.
COMMENT 86091	2010-06-29 03:06 PM
Best part of 4th of July is the walking under the 101 overpass on state street with thousands of other revelers after the fireworks are over.
COMMENT 86092	2010-06-29 03:10 PM
you are really unwise if you park south of the freeway and then try to drive away 20 minutes afterwards
COMMENT 86093P	2010-06-29 03:15 PM
Best place to watch: from a boat in the harbor.
COMMENT 86094	2010-06-29 03:19 PM
or on a boat OUTSIDE of the habor :)
COMMENT 86095	2010-06-29 03:22 PM
I'd like to watch them from a boat anywhere...
COMMENT 86097	2010-06-29 03:44 PM
West Campus parking is fabulous and easy. We play with the kids on the lawn so they can blow off steam then head down to our boat to watch the show.
COMMENT 86098	2010-06-29 03:46 PM
Don't even think of parking south of the freeway. Get there as early as possible and you can usually find a spot on the street within the first few blocks north of the 101 and the first few blocks away from State. It's a Sunday, so you can park at any green curb, or frankly, just about anywhere. The cops are busy on the waterfront, so no one will ticket you anywhere anyway. Stay away from the big parking lots, just in case the city decides to have people at the gates late that day. If they do, it will take an eternity to get out of those lots. That includes the lot at haley and Anacapa. Only one exit there and you will pull your hair out trying to exit. No Paseo Nuevo lot either. Stick with street parking.
COMMENT 86103	2010-06-29 04:14 PM
Consider catching a movie or staying downtown after fireworks are over. As everyone said, finding parking downtown side streets isn't that big of a problem if you get there within 90 min of fireworks; the hard part is leaving when it's over. A total joke. Don't drink too much; keep your wits about you and stay safe. Plus, drunks are more likely to get into fights and get thrown into a wagon by intolerant cops. Some of the side streets like Yanonali are poorly lit; consider bringing a flashlight.
COMMENT 86107	2010-06-29 05:01 PM
I took some out of town company one year and we parked at the Smart and Final lot and we could see it all from there. And got out before the crowds even got close.
COMMENT 86111	2010-06-29 05:20 PM
We have parked at City College lower lot for the harbor view. It is fun to walk down and back on State under the 101..Great energy! In that case, the farmers market lot on Cota is free and easy to get out of when it's over.
COMMENT 86116	2010-06-29 05:49 PM
The West Anapamu pedestrian bridge is one of the best places for viewing the fireworks. No hassles getting to or from this location.
COMMENT 86117P	2010-06-29 05:56 PM
Great tips! Thanks everyone! Keep 'em coming!
COMMENT 86121	2010-06-29 06:50 PM
I agree with 088 BIKE or walk. Leave your car out of any possible equation.
COMMENT 86127	2010-06-29 08:24 PM
The Riviera! Franceschi Park!
COMMENT 86157P	2010-06-30 01:57 AM
MTD has lots of shuttles and buses that can take you there from anywhere. Park at Turnpike and Hollister or Patterson and hollister or even State and La Cumbre. The bus costs $1.75 and the shuttles are 25 cents. Sure is better than a ticket or being towed
COMMENT 86169	2010-06-30 07:06 AM
Park far away and ride your bike or walk. Don't ride your nicest bike.
COMMENT 86190	2010-06-30 08:05 AM
The Goleta Fireworks at Girsch Park. Live entertainment, food booths, and free game booths for the kids. Also not usually as much fog cover as the ones at the beach. (Yes I know the dt ones are free to go and see, but the money collected for Goleta goes to the Rotary Club which is a great nonprofit).
COMMENT 86201	2010-06-30 08:52 AM
The Mountain Drive Community Association is holding a fundraiser at the Chase Palm Park Center- that is the little building just west of the skate park - with food, and a band. You get great dedicated space to watch the fireworks, food, entertainment, and bathrooms. Help Tea Fire victims rebuilt ( they need to raise money to put in fire hydrants to be permitted to rebuild) $35. Contact danielajohnson@cox.net or (805) 453-4555 for tickets. Definitely use the shuttle!
COMMENT 86210P	2010-06-30 09:10 AM
If you go to Girsh Park be aware that they won't let you bring any food into the park. They want to nail for your expensive mediocre food being sold there. We sit on the edge of the park near to the Costco parking lot and bring our own picnic. You can see the fireworks just as well and it's free.
COMMENT 86346	2010-06-30 02:57 PM
86210P- You can bring coolers into the park, you are not allowed to bring in alcohol. Go to their website, it has all the things allowed/not allowed listed. It's frustrating to see a nonprofit spend a whole lot of money on an event for the community that is fun, safe and family friendly and people to take advantage by sitting literally just outside the fence so they don't have to pay. This is the biggest fundraiser for the group who then distributes the money back out through the community.

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