Every year, we wait with bated breath, wondering if the City is going to follow through on a Laguna Beach 4th of July fireworks show. This happens every year, of course, because rumors always fly that the event will be cancelled (a terribly Grinchy thing to do in mid-summer, assuredly). 

But rest assured, for 2013 the Laguna Beach 4th of July Fireworks show is ON, once again originating from Monument Point at Heisler Park. So, here’s the official scoop:

Tthe Point itself will be closed the entire 4th of July day. And, at 5:00 p.m., the area of Heisler Park from Myrtle Street to Rockpile Beach (Jasmine Street) will be closed, too. The fireworks show will begin at about 9:00 p.m.

City trolleys will operate from 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and they do NOT resume after the show.  See free shuttle/trolley info here. Keep this in mind, folks, as you will be hoofing it to wherever your car is parked or residence might be after the 25-minute show has faded from the night sky.

Now, granted, the City does everything it can to help people exit Laguna Beach after the fireworks show, but if I were you, I’d settle into one of the local pubs or fine food establishments and wait it out about an hour. Even though Laguna Canyon Road will open its center lane to allow for two lanes of traffic OUT of town … trust me … hang out, relax, have an ice cream cookie at Pizza Lounge and let the mad dust settle. 

If you choose to stake your claim earlier in the day, keep the following rules and more rules in mind:

• No alcohol or smoking on the beaches.
• No tents, canopies or barbeques.
• No dogs are allowed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Don’t even think about setting off your own fireworks (wherever you might be squatting in the city boundaries) as every sign already posted into Laguna Beach tells you this is an illegal activity. They mean it. It’s already a dry season, and the city will have patrols posted everywhere.  

Keep in mind, too, that Emerald Bay’s homeowner’s association does its own fireworks show, and it’s nothing to sneeze at. (Our Emerald bay folks DO know how to party.) It usually begins before the Laguna Beach show, so make sure you’re in place and looking north well in advance of 9:00 p.m.!

For other events and options this holiday weekend:

For starters, keep the Best Margaritas of Laguna Beach List handy through the holiday weekend. 

Friday, July 5th: Best Live Music – Nick I and A.D.D. of Common Sense. Click for details.

Entire holiday weekend: Best Ocean Activities – Stand Up Paddle Lessons or Kayak Tours at Lavida Laguna. Click for details

Entire holiday weekend: Best Art Buys from Laguna Beach Artists – The Sawdust Art Festival. I’ve already written about the incredible Sawdust Festival. This weekend is a great time to hit the show while the art is still very profuse.  Click for details

Saturday, July 6th: Best Fresh Produce and Plants for your Garden: Farmer’s Market & Laguna Nursery Specials and Sales. Click for details

July 4th & Friday, July 5th: Best Walking Art Tours – Festival of Arts on the Pageant of the Masters grounds opens with Free Tours. You’ll be a walking art scholar in an hour! Click for details.