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Sure, you can ooh and ahh over Fourth of July fireworks from a blanket set out on the lawn at your local park or civic center. But what if you’d like a different vantage point this year? Check out these options for Bay Area viewing locations. (And find our big roundup of fireworks, festivals and parades at www.mercurynews.com/entertainment.)
While screaming upside-down: How do the pyrotechnics look when you’re riding the new stomach-churning RailBlazer, with its coils, loops and — gulp — 90-degree drop? The new single-rail roller coaster just made its debut at Great America in Santa Clara, and this view of the theme park’s July 4 fireworks could be the wildest one around. Details: www.cagreatamerica.com
From the bay: The three big outfits that take tourists and locals cruising on San Francisco Bay year-round — Blue & Gold Fleet, Hornblower Cruises and Red and White Fleet Cruises — offer specialty trips for viewing the city’s fireworks. Hornblower schedules both Berkeley and San Francisco departures, and the Blue & Gold has a family-friendly, alcohol-free cruise. Bonus: If fog interferes with the show, you’ll still have a nice voyage. Advance bookings are crucial; check the websites, www.blueandgoldfleet.com, www.hornblower.com and www.redandwhite.com. (Note: The historic USS Potomac’s sailing out of Oakland is already sold out.)
From the ballpark: Not only are stadium fireworks shows terrific, but they also give you a patriotic dose of America’s National Pastime before the star-spangled salute. The Oakland A’s will shoot off fireworks one night early, Tuesday, July 3, after their 6:05 p.m. game against the San Diego Padres. In the South Bay, the San Jose Giants will hold their annual fireworks show on the Fourth itself, after their 6:30 p.m. game with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
With a symphony: How about a full orchestral experience to cap off the patriotic day? The annual holiday gigs by the Oakland and San Francisco symphonies provide a classical soundtrack as the fireworks explode overhead. On July 3, the Oakland Symphony’s 8 p.m. Independence Eve concert will feature rousing Sousa marches, plus movie themes and singalongs at the Richmond waterfront. On the Fourth, the San Francisco Symphony will play selections from the “Star Wars” score and Pixar tracks at Shoreline in Mountain View. Details: www.oaklandsymphony.org, www.mountainviewamphitheater.com.
While rowing a kayak: Shoreline Lake, a hidden gem in Silicon Valley, will offer Independence Day celebrants the chance to watch the nearby Shoreline Amphitheatre fireworks from a rowboat, canoe, kayak or pedal boat. It’s the only day of the year that watercraft are allowed on the lake after sunset. The folks at the Mountain View lake’s cafe will even pack a picnic basket for you. Call 650-965-7474 or check www.shorelinelake.com to make rental reservations. Details: www.shorelinelake.com.
From the deck of a Liberty Ship: The SS Jeremiah O’Brien, moored at San Francisco’s Pier 45 at Fisherman’s Wharf, morphs from a living history museum to a fireworks viewing party on the Fourth of July. Gates open at 7 p.m. for the 9:30 show. Tickets include hot dogs, popcorn and soft drinks. Find family, adult and youth admission prices at www.ssjeremiahobrien.org.
On the 3rd of July (or the 1st or 2nd): If you really want to beat the Fourth crowds, don’t go on the Fourth. Catch one of the many fireworks shows scheduled on the nights before. Every year, the city of Richmond celebrates on July 3. This time, the waterfront fireworks will be preceded by music at Marina Bay Park and a symphonic concert at Craneway Pavilion. And in Vallejo, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will go all out and set off fireworks on five nights, June 30-July 4.
