Around Town

Celebrate the 4th in San Diego
Embarcadero Marina Park South: 7:30 p.m. Fireworks are presented to synchronized classical music. $15-$75. (619) 235-0804.
Glorietta Bay (Coronado): 9 p.m. Daylong festivities include a half-marathon, rough water swim, Art in the Park and live music. The annual Independence Day Parade takes place at 10 a.m. (619) 437-8788.
La Jolla Cove: 9 p.m. (858) 454-1444.
Mira Mesa Recreation Center: 9 p.m. Celebration begins at 12 a.m. with a parade, followed by food, rides, games and entertainment in Mira Mesa Community Park. (858) 538-8122.
Mission Bay Yacht Club: 9 p.m. (858) 488-0501.
Ocean Beach Pier: 9 p.m. (619) 226-8613.
Paradise Point Resort and Spa: 9 p.m. Fireworks follow an All-American Barbecue that starts at 6 p.m. ($72 for adults; $29 for children younger than 12). (858) 274-4630.
San Diego Bay: 9 p.m. (858) 751-5755.
Big Bay July 4 Fireworks, Friday, July 4, 9 p.m. Free. See fireworks over San Diego Bay presented by Port of San Diego. Best views: from boat or land at Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the North Embarcadero, and Seaport Village/Coronado Landing. Listen to the simulcast on KYXY 96.5. 619-686-6200. Downtown.
SeaWorld: 9:30 p.m. $47-$57; parking is $10. Viewing also available along Crown Point. (800) 25-SHAMU.

Celebrate the 4th in East County
Spring Valley Park: 9 p.m. (619) 479-1832.
Town Center Community Park Ballfields (Santee): 9 p.m. (619) 258-4100, ext. 201.

Celebrate the 4th in North County
Bradley Park (San Marcos): 9 p.m. Food and music are part of the celebration earlier in the day. Amazing Dana the Magician will perform at 6 and 7:30 p.m. (760) 744-9000 or ci.san-marcos.ca.us.
Brengle Terrace Park (Vista): 9 p.m. Daylong festivities include food, live entertainment and children’s games. (760) 726-1340, ext. 1574.
Del Mar Beach (Camp Pendleton): 9 p.m. Daylong activities include music, food and games. (760) 725-2134 or mccscp.com.
Independence Day Celebration and “Fireworks Spectacular, (Escondido)” Friday, July 4, 2-9 p.m. Free. Celebrate the 4th of July with art activities for children, live music, magicians, American Legion patriotic tribute, free tours of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, free admission to the Center Museum. Fireworks at 9 p.m. 800-988-4253. California Center for the Arts, 340 Escondido Blvd., Escondido.
Grape Day Park (Escondido): 9 p.m. Afternoon festivities, including game and food booths, music and entertainment for all ages. (760) 745-1159.
Julian: No fireworks. All-day Fridays festivities, beginning at 10 a.m., include a gunfight on Main Street, flyovers by World War II aircraft, a parade at noon, horses, a quilt show and a deep-pit barbecue. (760) 765-1857.
Legoland: 8:30 p.m. Regular park admission applies, though non-park guests are welcome to view fireworks from the parking lot for $2 after 7 p.m. $49.95-$59.95. (760) 918-5346.
O’Fest Summer Beach Festival (Oceanside), Friday, July 4, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Free. O’Fest starts with street fair with retail and food vendors from north of the pier to Tyson Street Park (10 a.m.-10 p.m.). “Kid’s Beachscene” with interactive games, craft areas (2 p.m.). Yankee Doodle Dinghy Parade starts at 2 p.m. at Oceanside Yacht Club and harbor; competitors decorate dinghies with creative, patriotic themes, then cruise harbor “for all to enjoy.” Live music at amphitheater (2-9 p.m.). Fireworks start at 9 p.m. 760-967-2005. Oceanside Harbor, 1540 Harbor Dr., Oceanside.
Olive Pierce Middle School (Ramona): 9 p.m. Grounds open at 5 p.m. for town picnic including food booths and games for the whole family. 760-789-1311.
San Diego County Fair (Del Mar Fairgrounds): 9 p.m. A 7:30 p.m. performance by the Navy Band Southwest will be followed by fireworks and a concert by KC & the Sunshine Band. The show is free with fair admission for unreserved seats on the third and fifth levels, and for the standing area in front of the stage. $6-$12; parking is $9. (858) 755-1161.

Celebrate the 4th in South Bay
Kimball Park (National City): 9 p.m. The National City Community Concert Band will play during the fireworks. Carnival rides, games and food booths will be open at various times from July 2-6. A parade will be held July 5 at 6 p.m. (619) 336-4290.

The rest of the weekend:
Guided Nature Walk Saturday, July 5, 9:30 a.m. Free. Meet at west side of park, at Regents Road entrance. 858-581-9944. Bring binoculars, drinking water. Marian Bear Memorial Park, Hwy 52 & Regents Rd., Clairemont.
Explosions of Laughter Saturday, July 5, 8 p.m. $10. “Big Bang Comedy Show” planned by Comedy Under Construction improv sketch ensemble. 858-550-8088. Swedenborg Hall, 1531 Tyler Ave., University Heights.
Twilight Nature Walks Saturday, July 5, 7:15 p.m. Free. Listen for sounds of night hunters, see native plants in cool of evening on trail guide-led walks. Required reservations: 619-668-2748. Kumeyaay Lake Campground entry station, Two Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos.
Help at Point Loma Native Plant Garden, Saturday, July 5, 9 a.m. Free. Learn about native flora and see how beautiful a water wise garden can be while caring for the garden. Tools provided. No experience necessary. 619-297-7380. Point Loma Native Plant Reserve, Mendocino Blvd. & Greene St., Point Loma.
San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar runs through July 6. Cost: Adults-$12, age 62 and older-$6. Kids 6-12-$6. Kids 5 and under, free! What’s summer in San Diego without a visit to the fair? (858) 755-1161. 2260 www.sdfair.com
Flow Rider Night for Teens, Sun., July 6, 7-9 p.m. $4-$6. Board enthusiasts invited to “ride the wave” during nights “devoted to the flow rider,” a wave simulated attraction supplying a perfect wave every time, allowing body-board enthusiasts to show off skills. 760-940-WAVE. Wave Waterpark, 101 Wave Dr., Vista.
Celebrate Independence of the U.S.A., Sun., July 6, 2 p.m. Free. Lawn program hosted by House of United States promises music by a banjo band and a “Memory Lane Combo Band.” Country line dancing, singing of patriotic songs, reading of poetry, appearance by Uncle Sam. Food for sale. 619-234-0739. House of Pacific Relations, 2125 Park Blvd., Balboa Park.
California Native Plant Society Walk Sun., July 6, 9 a.m. Free. Bring binoculars and drinking water. 858-581-9944. Tecolote Nature Cente, 5180 Tecolote Rd., Clairemont.
Fallbrook hills bike ride, Sun., July 6, 8:45 a.m. Free. Join up with San Diego Bicycle Society riders. The 75-miler starts in upper parking lot at Third and C, Encinitas. Bring money for deli lunch. 619-561-3846. Moonlight Beach, Encinitas.
USPA Rossmore Cup Competition, Sun., July 6, 1:30 p.m. $10-$25. Polo matches hosted by San Diego Polo Club. Preliminary matches at 1:30 p.m., feature match at 3 p.m. Parking: $5. 858-750-6841. San Diego Polo Club, 14555 El Camino Real, Rancho Santa Fe.
Boating Skills and Seamanship Mon., July 7, 7:30 p.m. $25. Nine-week course offered by Flotilla 16-03 of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary focuses on selecting the right boat for you, equipment, trailering, rules of road, inland boating. $25 fee for text. Registration: 619-299-6546. San Diego County Health Building,3851 Rosecrans St., Point Loma.
Play ball! Padres host Florida Marlins Mon.-Wed., July 7-9, as interleague play continues. Games broadcast on radio station XPRS (1090 AM). Tickets (619) 795-5000, (877) 374-2784.
Stroll around Daley Ranch, Tue., July 8, 6 p.m. Free. Take a slow-paced afternoon stroll with naturalist Michelle Capodice and learn about plants and animals along the way. Reservations: 760-839-4680. Daley Ranch, 3024 La Honda Dr., Escondido.
The 28th Annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition will be held Sun., July 13, in Imperial Beach. Competition starts at 8:30 a.m., professional and amateur sand-carving teams will compete in the largest sandcastle-building contest in the U.S. Street festival with live music, vendors and entertainment all day along the beach-fronting Seacoast Drive. Public can view until about 4 p.m. or until the tide washes them away. The event is free to the public and proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Imperial Beach. Handicap parking is available. For more information visit www.usopensandcastle.com.
And they’re off! Seaside horse racing returns Wed., July 16, 2 p.m. $6-$15. Parking: $8. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club season runs July 16-Sept. 3, racing every day except Tuesday. Post time 2 p.m. except Four O’Clock Fridays (July 18 and 25, Aug. 1 and 8 at 4 p.m.; Aug. 15, 22, and 29 at 3:30 p.m.). (858) 755-1141, (858) 793-5533. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar.
Real Old-Fashioned Trolley Cars and a model railroad that fills a room are on display at San Diego Electric Railway Association Museum. Museum is located in historic National City Depot, the first transcontinental terminal, established 1882 -- is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Located at the corner of Bay Marina Dr. and Marina Way, National City. Free. (619) 474-4400.
California Wolf Center in Julian hosts public programs focusing on North American gray wolves every Saturday at 2 p.m. Programs include slide show, visit and tour with resident wolf pack. Tickets: $8 general, $5 for seniors, $4 for children ten and younger. Required reservations at (619) 234-WOLF.
Blue Sky Walks 9 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, park entrance kiosk on Espola Rd., Poway. Free. (858) 679-5469. Slow-paced guided walks for the whole family. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring bottled water.
Torrey Pines State Reserve Walks 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors Center, 12600 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Free. Parking: $6 to $8. (858) 755-2063 or www.torreypine.org. Catch a glimpse of the California quail along trails lined by rare pine trees on an easy interpretive walk.
Mission Bay Woodcarvers meet every Monday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., at Santa Clara Recreation Center, 1008 Santa Clara Pl., Pacific Beach. All skill levels from beginner to master carver encouraged to join. Free. (858) 581-9928.
No Brakes, No Gears! Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Free for spectators. Tuesday night bicycle racing season continues with racing in many categories, through Sept. 30. Free for spectators. (619) 573-4953. San Diego Velodrome, 2221 Morley Field Dr., Balboa Park.
Quilting Bee welcomes quilters old and new on last Monday of month at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in UTC, 9:30 a.m. in Room #6 of Roetter Hall. Fabric and batting provided for quilts for Advent Baby Shower, otherwise bring your own! Cutters, quilters especially needed. Bring your sewing machines! 4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121. The hall is large glass and beige stucco structure at end of parking lot. Info (858) 458-1501.
Daley Ranch Naturalist Hikes: Daley Ranch is located in the northeastern portion of the City of Escondido, north of Dixon Lake and west of Valley Center Rd. Access is provided via La Honda Drive to the south, Valley Center Road to the east, and Cougar Pass Road to the west. Daley Ranch is a 3,058-acre conservation area acquired in 1997 by the City of Escondido and is managed in perpetuity for the preservation of a biologically unique and diverse habitat area of regional importance. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational and educational opportunities and experiences in a historically significant setting. Reservations are reqeusted for evening hikes (760) 839-4680. http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us/glance/uniquely/daley/