4th of July in Santa Cruz. For some it means pancake breakfasts, parades and parties in the park.
For others it means backyard barbecue in the afternoon and fireworks at night.
It could even mean watching fireworks from an evening boat cruise or kayak on the bay.
4th of July events in Santa Cruz County include family friendly old-fashioned celebrations at Wilder Ranch and Roaring Camp, the county’s only official fireworks show in Scotts Valley, and parades spanning from Watsonville to San Lorenzo Valley.
4th of July Family Fun Events at Roaring Camp
Travel back in time, and into the redwoods, for Roaring Camp’s 50’s themed Fourth of July celebration. Complete with sock hop, dance and hoola hoop contests, sack races, balloon toss, BBQ and live music, this daylong event is a family favorite. Tickets are required, so be sure to purchase yours in advance.
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill Rd., Felton
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Boulder Creek Fourth of July Parade
This classic Fourth of July parade, set in downtown Boulder Creek, attracts upwards of 10,000 attendees each year. If you’re a mountain dweller this is one you won’t want to miss.
Parade: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Downtown Boulder Creek
Hwy 9, between Scarborough Lumber and Railroad Ave.
Spirit of Watsonville Fourth of July Parade
The Spirit of Watsonville Fourth of July Parade, in downtown Watsonville, features car clubs, fire engines, tractors, antique cars, local non-profit groups, horses, and the Watsonville Band.
Parade: 2:00 pm
Downtown Watsonville, on Main St.
Old-Fashioned Independence Day at Wilder Ranch State Park
You can travel back in time to a 50’s themed 4th of July at Roaring Camp, but if that’s still too recent you can go way back to the turn of the century with Wilder Ranch’s Old-Fashioned Independence Day.
There will be a parade at noon, followed by games, crafts, live big-band music, historic demonstrations and a flag raising. Admission is free, but parking is $10 per car.
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Wildre Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Road, Santa Cruz
Cost: Free (Parking is $10/car)
Aptos 4th of July Festivities (Including the World’s Shortest Parade)
Aptos’ 4th of July parade clocks in at an underwhelming 0.6 miles, but don’t let its brevity fool you. This is a fun community parade that draws huge crowds each year. Enjoy a pancake breakfast in the morning before the parade, and stick around for the Party in the Park, starting at noon in the Aptos Village Park.
Pancake Breakfast
7:00 am – 10:00 am
burger. parking lot (7941 Soquel Drive)
Adults: $7, Kids: $5
Parade
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Soquel Drive between State Park Drive and Trout Gulch
Party in the Park
12:00 pm -4:00 pm
Aptos Village Park
$5 donation for adults
Scotts Valley Fourth of July Celebration (Fireworks!)
Scotts Valley doesn’t mess around when it comes to the 4th of July. The festivities start with a parade in the afternoon, followed by food, music and games at Skypark Park at 4:00. The evening concludes with the county’s only official fireworks show, starting at 9:15.
At the time of this writing, the City of Scotts Valley is looking for sponsors for this year’s 4th of July celebration. You can find more information over at the My Scotts Valley Facebook page.
Parade: 3:00 pm, on Scotts Valley Dr.
Food, Music & Games at Skypark start at 4:00 pm
Fireworks Show: 9:15 pm
Cost: $6 in advance, $8 day of event, Kids 4 and under are free
Patriotic Pool Party
Solaire Restaurant & Bar at Hotel Paradox will be hosting an all day Patriotic Pool Party and BBQ on the 4th. $25 gets you a pool pass for the day as well as a full plate of BBQ, and a delicious dessert. Prizes will be given out throughout the day.
11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Solaire Restaurant & Bar at The Hotel Paradox
$25 per person or $80 for a family 4-pack
Santa Cruz Firecracker 10k
If you want to celebrate Independence Day by burning some calories then you’ll love the Santa Cruz Firecracker 10k. There’s a 10k, 5k, and even a itty-bitty 1k for the kiddos.
7:00 am – Registration opens
8:00 am – Kid’s 1K run/walk
8:30 am – Firecracker 10K run
8:40 am – Firecracker 5K run
Harvey West Park
Cost: $20 for Kids, $45 for adults
Stagnaro Fourth of July Cruise
This three hour cruise on the bay offers a chance to celebrate in style. The boat is equipped with complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and beverages (along with a cash bar).
3 hour excursion starts at 7:00 pm
Location: Near Mariner Park Way & Atlantic Ave (West Santa Cruz Harbor)
Cost: $50
(Illegal) Fireworks on the Santa Cruz Beaches
From Watsonville to the San Lorenzo Valley, there are plenty of options for fun and safe family friendly 4th of July events. However, outside of Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County lacks the traditional fireworks shows you find in most cities. So, what does that mean? Well, it means that thousands of people head to the beaches each 4th of July to put on their own fireworks shows, much to the chagrin of local law enforcement. Seabright Beach is best known for these unsanctioned fireworks activities.
Law enforcement in Santa Cruz will be enforcing triple fines throughout the entire city this year, from July 4 – 6.
Drought Warning: Santa Cruz Deputy Police Chief Steve Clark was recently quoted in the Sentinel, saying, “We all love fireworks, but they’re not worth the risk this year. Regardless of where you stand (on fireworks), this year the trump card is the very real fire risk. The last thing we need is our beautiful landscape destroyed and our homes and lives put in danger.”
Our drought conditions are too serious to ignore this year. Please keep this in mind, and be safe and responsible this 4th.
Evening Kayak Trip & Fireworks
This is one way to watch the public fireworks shows on the beach without getting caught up in the insanity on the beaches. The Outdoor Adventure Club organizes this outing each year, allowing participants to view fireworks from the water.
Tour runs from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm, starting at the Santa Cruz Wharf
Cost: $69 for members, $89 for non-members
Click here to register
NO NO NO!!!! We are in the midst of a major drought, grasslands, forests, meadows all are tender dry. Please tell people to leave their fireworks in the box this year. Just the mention of the beach fusillade brings more and more people here. The law enforcement officers turn people with fireworks away from the beaches and into the neighborhoods.
Short fuse to disaster, and you are adding fuel to the fires.
Thanks for nothing, I hope.
My comment is “awaiting moderation” ?
What ever happened to Free Speech?