Your 4th of July Field Guide: Patriotic cocktails, yacht cruises, and so many fireworks

Big Bay Boom 4th of July fireworks display in San Diego.

7am For all the early birds -- get the holiday started with an Independence Day 15K Run and 5K Run/Walk on Coronado Island. They've laid out a flat, fast course, so that way, you can get the exercise over with and get on with the celebration. Pre-register...
If you're up in North County, the 4th of July Scripps Ranch 50-Mile Bike Ride is happening at the crack of dawn. The course takes you around every nook and cranny of Miramar Lake and ends at Hoyt Park, where you can enjoy the holiday festivities including a beer garden, which you're going to need after a 50mi bike ride.
Get that cycle tuned up and register for the ride...
10am Enough with the working out -- it's time to get on with the festivities. The Coronado Island Independence Day Parade runs on Orange Ave from 1st St to Churchill Place. The die-hard parade-goers start setting up at 5am, so get there early to stake out your spot.
Check out the parade order so you don't miss your favorite marching band...
11:30am Old Town is doing it old-school with a throwback 4th of July celebration including a parade, music, food specials, and a pie-eating contest you know you want to get in on.
Kick it old-school...
6pm Catch the Big Bay Boom fireworks show from aboard the flight deck of the USS Midway. Check out the museum -- there'll be live entertainment and food specials from the Fantail Cafe.
Celebrate America's history while standing on a piece of it...
Brockton Villa is a prime spot for viewing the fireworks display over La Jolla Cove while sipping on cocktails and eating bourbon BBQ pork ribs, crab legs, and beef sliders from the picnic-style buffet.
Get your tickets...
6:30pm What better way to celebrate our country than on a Hornblower yacht cruising San Diego Bay? Get the perfect view of the Big Bay Boom from out on the water, along with a little Champagne and a gourmet buffet dinner.
Reserve your spot and maybe a private table...
For the first time ever, Cabrillo National Monument is opening to the public for firework-viewing. You'll have a view of six different fireworks displays happening all over SD.
Space is limited and they're charging by car, so pack 'em in and get there early or buy a pre-sale ticket...
7:30pm Cusp at Hotel La Jolla is throwing a cocktail reception and viewing party with hosted hors d'oeurves, a negroni and gin & tonic bar, and a Champagne toast when the fireworks show begins in La Jolla Cove.
Reserve your spot...
Bill Conti, the guy who composed the infamous Rocky theme, is performing at the Embarcadero Marina Park South with the San Diego Symphony for an intermission-less concert that will sync up with the Big Bay Boom fireworks.
Buy your ticket here...
9pm Check out one of the largest fireworks displays in the country: the 13th Annual Big Bay Boom on San Diego Bay. Fireworks will be launched over the water from four barges in the bay.
Get the info here...
If you're hanging out on Coronado Island, stick around for the fireworks show over Glorietta Bay. There's a great view from the golf course.
See the day's itinerary...

Spend the day on Ocean Beach, have dinner at Wonderland Pub, and stay to watch the fireworks show launching from the end of OB Pier. See what's going on in OB...
Of course Seaworld is having fireworks, just like they do every night, but they're putting on an extended Into the Blue show and they're staying open until 11p.
Find out the best places to view the show in the park...
Ellen Browning Scripps Park is the perfect place to watch the fireworks show over La Jolla Cove.
All the details are here...
9:30pm The Del Mar Fair is finishing off this season with a bang. There will be festivities all day, a tribute to 9/11 at 7p, and fireworks start at 9:30p. Spend the day savoring your last bites of
deep-fried, bacon-covered foods and don't miss your last chance to ride the ferris wheel this year...
All Day West Coast Tavern will be serving discounted Americana-themed 'tails like the Firecracker (a spicy margarita made with jalapeno-infused tequila), a take on a Moscow mule called the Uncle Sam, and The Stars and Stripes -- a citrus martini.
See how we celebrate America on the West Coast...
Nothing says the 4th like BBQ, so get your fill of discounted beef ribs, smoked prime rib sandos, and $5 Stars and Stripes vodka coolers at Brazen BBQ.
Let Brazen save you the trouble of manning the grill...
The Commons Bar is celebrating with the Frozen Freedom: citrus and sweet tea vodka, grenadine, and curacao topped off with delicious frozen lemonade.
Pair the Frozen Freedom with a hot dog and some wings...