Where to Play on 4th of July

Fourth of July fireworks displays will light up the skies all over the Bay Area. From parades to concerts, share your celebration photos this month with Bay Meadows and get entered to win a $50 giftcard from Pokeatery and a Grand Prize of $500! Simply tag us at @BayMeadowsLife and use #BayMeadowsLife on Instagram + Twitter. Learn more here >

Rock your red, white and blue while celebrating the country’s independence this year at a picnic, music festival or parade. Here are a few local places to bring the fam to enjoy community fun and maybe “ooh” and “ahh” along with your friends and neighbors.

** – Indicates events with fireworks displays

Burgess Park, Menlo Park
4th of July Parade and Celebration – The annual parade starts at 11:45 a.m. on Santa Cruz Avenue and heads to Burgess Park. Join the parade by decorating your bike, tricycle, wagon, golf cart, or float. Afterwards, enjoy the celebration from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with music, carnival games, food and more! Free admission, but $7 for activities. Wristbands can be purchased in advanced by going to the Arrillaga Family Gymnasium (600 Alma Street) Mon- Fri 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. in advance. Monday, July 4th. Burgess Park, 701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park, CA 94025. (650) 330-2200.

**Foster City – Leo Ryan Park
Foster City Fourth of July Celebration – Join the City of Foster City and the Lions Club of Foster City for an exciting all-day event filled with games, food, entertainment, dog parade and grand fireworks display! Monday, July 4th, 9 a.m. – 9:45 p.m. (650)286-3380.

Frontierland Park, Pacifica
4th of July Celebration at Frontierland Park – Crafts, games, music and more! Rocket Run 5-Mile Run precedes event at Pacifica Community Center. Monday, July 4, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. FrontierLand Park, Pacifica, CA 94044. (650) 738-7381.

MLK Park and Pool, San Mateo
4th of July in the Park & Pool includes family fun, music and inflatables. New this year is the addition of FREE Recreational swimming and the Family Cardboard Boat Race. Registration is only required for the boat race not the rest of the event. Monday, July 4th 11am-2pm Mt. Diablo Ave & No. Fremont St. San Mateo More info here >

Mitchell Park, Palo Alto
35th Annual Summer Festival and Chili Cook-off – Taste an array of red-hot chili delicacies prepared by teams of chefs battling for the chili championship. Live music, dancing, children’s activities, food vendors, and more! Monday, July 4, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Mitchell Park, 600 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto, CA. (650)329-2350.

**Redwood City, Downtown
78th Annual 4th of July Parade – A Family 4th – Redwood City’s Fourth of July celebration will feature a parade, floats, food, arts, crafts, entertainment, bands, a kids area and more! From 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. there will be a Pancake Breakfast with the Redwood City Fire Department. At 8:45 a.m. the Parade Run 5k will begin (check-in is from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.). A car show starts at 9 a.m., followed by the Redwood City “Best of the West” Parade at 10 a.m. The fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m., launched from the Port of Redwood City! (650) 365-1825.

Walkscore.com rates Bay Meadows high on the list for walkable locations to live on the San Francisco Peninsula and for good reason! Bay Meadows has a high Walkscore because it is steps from shopping, groceries, parks, Caltrain, a farmer’s market and a few short miles from downtown San Mateo with its bourgeoning restaurant scene.