Emerald Isle

The majority of your dining will be via eating at the locals mom and pop style diners and restraunts. Which really adds to the atmosphere of the Island. They claimed in 2000 that the population of Emerald Isle was around 3800 people. Everything you need is for the most part on Emerald Isle, unless your needing High End Electronics or something that you would need to go to best buy or some other store for. But then again you can get all of that 30 minutes away in Moorehead City.

There are many Minature Golf locations, Many places to buy swimming gear, surf boards, boogie boards, skim boards, food and beverages, prescription meds. As already stated most anything needed can be bought, minus a few adds and ends.

The oceanfront is lined with both large and small homes. While there is a condominiums scattered about, there are no oceanfront hotels and those are not High Rise, and Emerald Isle has maintained a family-oriented atmosphere.

If your looking for peace and quiet and would love to get away with your family and little children, then this beach is perfect. The kids can run up and down the water without you ever losing site of them. Find shells, see manta rays, go crabbing, surf, skim board, build the biggest sand castle you can dream of.. all without people an arms length away.

Want to find a way to sneak away for the weekend and take in the majesty of nature? Do a weekend hiking trip! Here are some great places across the country that are worth your time and money.

Washington’s Snoqualmie Falls: Located 30 miles east of Seattle are these majestic falls that are 270 feet in height. You can take a 6 mile hike to Snow Lake, which follows granite slabs beneath 6,000 foot peaks or head to Rachel Lake which is an 8-mile hike. “You can see some 50 feet down into the lake, passing five waterfalls on the way,” says guide, Cole Barrett. The guided hike costs $75 and includes lunch. Best place to stay is the Salish Lodge. It is perched over the falls and provides the most amazing views. Check out salishlodge.com.

Montana’s Lolo Trail: The Lolo trail is an infamous high-mountain ridge line trail. Lewis & Clark considered this area to be the hardest part of their entire journey! You can plan to hike by yourself or you can join one of the Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures where you will take an 8-mile hike up from Wendover Ridge (3,500-foot elevation gain) to your campsite as well as a hike up Sherman Peak. Prices range…a 3-day excursion will cost around $650. Check out trailadventures.com.

Maine’s Grafton Loop: This is a 39 mile loop in the Appalachians. During your 4 day hike, you will hit five major peaks, including the 4,000-foot Old Speck, as well as a stretch of the Appalachian Trail. At Puzzle Mountain, you will take in an unspoiled view of the Mahoosics. On the final day, you will walk through a rare tree-free alpine zone, which is called “the jewel of the route,” by AMC trails manager Andrew Norkin.

Illinois Kickapoo State Recreation Area: Area covering about 3,000 acres of land in east-central Illinois. Hiking amid the forrests of oak, hickory, walnut, maple and beech and walking past crystal clear ponds is part of the majesty. Hikers have their own ten mile stretch of of trails which include adjoining loops that follow the Middle Fork Vermilion River and lead to some of the park’s 22 ponds.

New Mexico’s El Morro National Monument is an amazing thing to see. This natural monument rises above a permanent pool in the sere high desert of central New Mexico. Since 1605, travelers passing through have left an inscription in the sandstone a record of their travels. There are more than 2,000 signatures and aphorisms carved into the rock. When you are done reading, take the two mile hike to a 875 room Puebloan ruin or explore the Zuni Indian pueblo to the west (full of artists) or check out the lava badlands of El Malpais National Monument to the east. Camping sites are only $5. Check out nps.gov/elmo.

California’s Redwood National Park: Highly recommend checking out the Redwood Adventures, which run 2 and 4 night hiking trips into the majestic Redwood Forests. From the website: “Hike the famous Fern Canyon, look for migrating whales and see the abundant wildlife found in Redwood National Park. All guided eco-tour adventures are completely customized to meet the interest and abilities of our clients. The amount of hiking involved is completely up to the clients.” The guided tour plus a furnished cabin runs about $1,000 for two nights. After each adventure you will be indulged with a dinner that is brought to the door of your cabin and a chance to soak in a redwood hot tub while you watch Roosevelt elk in the surrounding Elk Meadow. Check out redwoodadventures.com.

Bethel, Maine is located in western Maine, near the New Hampshire border. It is about 3-1/2 hours from Boston and about 5 hours from Albany, New York and Hartford, Connecticut. It is typically known for it’s great skiing but Fall is another great time to come for a visit all those glorious mountain peaks. The fall colors start occurring in late September and usually peak in early October. The location of Bethel makes it a strategic destinations for leaf peepers as they will be in the heart of a region noted for scenic driving, hiking, etc.

Bethel packs a punch when it comes to activities and accommodations. The Bethel Inn Resort is located on the village common and hosts great activities such as golf, tennis and swimming in an outdoor heated pool! Another great place to stay is the Sudbury Inn, which has standard rooms but also hosts suites and a three-bedroom apartment. Also available are Sunday River ski area condos. Some recommended activities in Bethel include checking out the local history at the Bethel Historical Society’s O’Neil Robinson House. A great photo op includes visiting The Artist’s Bridge, a picturesque covered bridge in Newry. Check out the fall foliage by riding the scenic chairlift ride at Sunday River. Check out the Lyon Orchard for a great day of apple picking and family fun. Want a unique experience? go on the White Mountains Llama trek which departs from the Telemark Inn in Bethel. Why not schedule your leaf peeping trip during the annual Harvest Fest and “Chowdah” Cook-off, held in September. Some other activities within a few hours of Bethel include the Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, New Hampshire or The Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center in Rockland, Maine.

Now, on to the scenic driving locals. Some recommended routes include a drive through Grafton Notch State Park, along Route 26. Another great route is the one heading north on Route 17 to Rangeley, Maine; Be sure to stop at The Height of Land overlook! A final recommendation would be along the Kancamagus Highway, which is celebrated as one of New England’s famed fall drives. How about leaving the driving to someone else? Consider a train ride aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway, New Hampshire. It is a short distance from Bethel and packs a punch when it comes to fall scenery!

Autumn is knocking at our door and with that comes bright, beautiful colors of the season. So over the next month I will be highlighting New England locals that seem to envelop the harvest spirit. Burlington, Vermont is one such place and has an abundance of fall induced activities to get you in the Autumnal spirit. Burlington is located in western Vermont, right on the shore of Lake Champlain. The Adirondacks of NY are on the opposite side of the grand lake. This area is also known as Lake Champlain Valley.

There are an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities to choose from in Burlington. Let’s start with the most popular Fall activity, which is taking in the beautiful fall foliage. There is a name given to those who partake in this activity – “leaf-peepers.” If you are a “leaf-peeper” then you won’t want to miss the natural and spectacular views of Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains. Drive through the long windy roads and explore the covered bridges that are nestled in the mountains, all while taking in the yellow, orange and red leaves. Want to get in some exercise while on vacation? Instead of driving, take a hike or cycle through the mountains, kayak, sail or fish on Lake Champlain. The trails are in excellent condition and quite inviting.

A mere seven miles south of Burlington is the famed Shelburne Museum. It is home to almost 200,000 pieces of American folk art and crafts. Not only is the museum filled with these arts and crafts but other structures acquired by the museum owner to house her art, including a jail and a 220 foot long steam ship. Also in Shelburne is a 1,400-acre working farm and National Historic Landmark which welcomes visitors. The Inn at Shelburne Farms offers accommodations and breakfast and dinner by reservation. Tours are also available.

If you are not sure when to plan your trip, try to plan it during the annual Giant Pumpkin Regatta & Festival. During this festival, different teams of people race in giant hollowed out pumpkins on Lake Champlain. yes, that is correct, giant hollowed out pumpkins. The family friendly festival includes local food vendors, craft vendors, kids’ activities, pie eating contests, and a pet costume contest. The event was even spoofed on Saturday Night Live!

While in Burlington, check out the historic Church Street Marketplace. There is an assortment of shops, boutiques, pubs, cafes, and restaurants. It is not to be missed as an integral part of Burlington’s charm!

OK, so all that movement has made you thirsty, take in a brew tour with Burlington Brew Tours LLC. It is an “interactive beer excursion,” which takes you to Magic Hat, Switchback Brewery, Vermont Pub and Brewery and American Flatbread. Tour includes lunch and 18-23 samples of beer.

Santorini, Greece is an island located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 120 miles southeast of the Greece mainland. It is about 28 square miles and packed with beautiful landscape, which includes lava-layered cliffs with towns built right in. The beautiful sunsets alone make the trip worth every penny! Santorini is essentially the result of a gigantic volcanic eruption, which caused a separation of modern day Santorini from mainland Greece and also leading to the creation of the current geological caldera. While there are countless things to do in Santorini, I am going to highlight a couple that should be considered “Must See’s” when planning your trip.

HOT SPRINGS: Located at Palia Kameni, is one of the two volcanic islands in the middle of Santorini Caldera. The water temperature is around 90 degrees Fahrenheit and contains sulfur (which is good for the skin). You will have to swim from your boat into the into what looks like a muddy bay.

AKROTIRI: This is a very important archaeological site with well preserved findings due to a volcanic eruption that covered the town and inadvertently protected the buildings and their contents. As such, it has been called the prehistoric Pompeii of the Aegean and considered one of the most prehistoric settlements found in the Eastern Mediterranean. There you will see the elaborate drainage system, multi-storied buildings with breath-taking wall-paintings, furniture and vessels. There are also imported objects from other locals like Syria, Egypt, Cyprus and mainland Greece.

COACH TOURS: These are one of the best ways to experience Santorini. There are several options including the full day bus tour where you will take a guided tour of the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira then on to wine tasting in Profitis Ilias and then onto a swim and lunch in Perissa. A traditional bus tour includes a visit to Profitis Ilias, Pyrgos village, Panagia Episkopi, wine tasting, and an opportunity to enjoy the famous Oia sunset. One of the tours I want to highlight is the Caldera trip, which includes a stop at what is considered some of the most popular and important sites of Santorini. Your day starts at the Old Port of Fira where you will view the active crater of Nea Kameni. You then go for a swim at the hot waters of Palea Kameni. Next you will go to Thirassia where you can have lunch at one of the traditional fish taverns, swim and visit the picturesque village of Manolas. The final stop is in Oia where you can stay and take in the breathtaking sunset (and then take a bus back to your hotel) or travel by ship back to the port of Fira.

GIALOS: Port located in Fira and sits about 900 feet below the town and under the caldera. To get there, you will take a donkey or mule down the winding steps (around 600 total steps). The other option is by cable car which can transport up to 1,200 people per hour.

PROFITIS ILIAS: Located between Pyrgos and Kamari and is the highest point of the island. It is named after the monastery sitting atop its peak. There you will take in a 360 degree view of the entire island.

BEACHES: The beaches of Santorini are absolutely gorgeous and diverse. Depending on where you are, you can walk on black, white or red sand, check out amazing land formations and partake in some fantastic water sports. The beaches of Perissa and Perivolos form the longest black-sanded beach on the island. These locals also have a variety of taverns, restaurants and hotels. The beach of Vlychada is amazing and has a “moonscape” landscape, The Red beach has unique vertical cliffs and the White beach is quaint and can only be reached by boat.

NIGHTLIFE: Most nightlife is situated in the main tourist areas of Fira, Oia, Perisa and Kamari. Fira has a lot of cafe bars or clubs which are situated along the Caldera. Some of the cafes offer amazing views over the famous Oia sunset. Searching for a lively nightlife in Santorini, Oia must be the quieter place.

Martha’s Vineyard is an island off the south of Cape Cod in New England. It consists of the towns of Aquinnah, Chilmark and West Tisbury, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. The vineyard, as many call it, has a variety of activities that will enchant the young and the young at heart. It is also a fantastic place for the entire family, from taking a ride on a famous carousel to playing in the sand and water on one of the pristine beaches or taking a hike or bike ride down one of the many trails.

Some of the weekly events that you can take part in include street fairs, fireworks, farmers markets, the Agri-culture Fair, golf tournaments, art and music festivals. Check the local events calendars as you won’t want to miss out on any of these family friendly festivities. One highlight for the whole family is to go to the Farm Institute in Edgartown where the farm is actually ran by the kids! The farm offers programs that run from one day to summer long experiences where kids partake in activities like planting crops, feeding piglets, learning how to heave a hoe and then taking the fruits and veggies to the West Tisbury farmer’s market to sell.

There are over 40 miles of trails to explore on the island. Hiking and biking those trails are a favorite among the locals as well as the tourists. Bikes can be rented and you can even take a guided tour if you are a little timid about going off on your own.

Well you are on an island so it only seems fitting that you consider doing some fishing. Some of the fish you will find while reeling in your line include bluefish, striped bass, bonito, false albacore, and Spanish mackerel, white marlin, yellowfin tuna, football-sized bluefins, and shark are all within boat range. You can either stay on a pier or consider renting a boat or taking a fishing charter. The beaches on the island range from shallow and long calm stretches of water on the Northern and Easter sides of the Island to a rough surf on the South side of the Island. While enjoying the sand and surf, check out the myriad of water activities that include jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, parasailing and diving. There are instructors available for most of these activities if you are a beginner.

Remember those days when you would travel for hours or even days to go see your favorite band? Think those days are over? They don’t have to be, even if you are traveling with friends or family that have other interests. Here are a few locations you should consider if you want to experience live music.

Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee: This started as a live radio show and is the longest continuous radio show in the US (since 1925). It is located in the Grand Ole Opry House which seats 4,400 and features live country music from not only current country artists but also from country legends. Some of the stars that have played at the Grand Ole Opry include Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley. Tickets range in price from $70 – $400. Go to www.opry.com for more information.

Carling Weekend in Reading, England: The Reading festival has been around since 1961 when it stated as a Jazz festival. Currently it is a 3 day event that showcases genre’s including alternative pop, rock, rap and hiphop. Most folks (typically 60,000 fans) camp out for the 3 days; There are 6 stages for you to choose from, depending on what type of music you like. Something interesting happens to those artists who are not well received by the fans – they are barraged with empty plastic bottles. One year, 50 Cent had a lawn chair thrown at him! One interesting part of the festival is that if you love an act, follow it to Leeds the next day where a sister festival is held concurrently. Some of the prior acts that played at this festival include The Who, Eric Clapton, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Nirvana and Metallica. Standard day passes cost about £70. Check out www.readingfestival.com and www.leedsmusicfestival.com for more information.

New Orleans Jazz Festival in New Orleans, LA: AKA, Jazz Fest. This is a 10-day event with acts performing on 12 different stages which attracts about 650,000 folks per year. Music genres include not only traditional jazz music but also gospel, funk, zydeco, rock and Caribbean styles. Prior acts have included Fats Domino, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, Santana, Paul Simon, BB King, Joni Mitchell, James Brown, Van Morrison, LL Cool J and Gladys Knight. Standard one day tickets are about $50 but more expensive VIP options are available. Check out www.nojazzfest.com for more information.

Dakar in Senegal: Artists have created an amazing live music scene in Senegal by creating a new type of music called mbalax, which is a mixture of Latin and Caribbean musical infused with African drumming. It is a heart pumping experience to see a 10-piece band playing music that can put you in a funky trance. There is a 3 day festival called The Coca-Cola Ebony Festival, featuring music by famous mbalax musicians like Youssou N’Dour, Baaba Maal and Didier Awadi. Also, international legend Seck hosts live “mbalax nights” at the Kilimanjaro club.

Vienna, Austria: If you love classical music, including Strauss, Schubert, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schönberg and Mahler then check out live performances of these music greats in a festival that lasts from September to June (yes, that is correct). Additionally, there are nine other festivals each year. There are also events featuring the Vienna Philharmonic playing your favorite classical music in Wiener Kinzerthaus. Best part is you can be transported to this site for free by showing your concert ticket (only for the 2 hours prior to the performance).

San Sebastian is a vibrant and exciting city located on the Basque coast in north west Spain and only about 20km from the French border.

Beaches: The three major beaches in San Sebastian are Playa de la Concha, Playa de Ondarreta and Playa de la Zurriola. Playa de la Concha is the largest beach and the main location in which to partake in water sports like kayaking, canoeing, and sail boating. At night, the beach turns into a magical place where there are paths leading to the beach lighted by little fairy lights. Playa de Ondarreta is much smaller and a better place to watch sailboats versus actually swimming because the high tide often reaches the barrier wall very quickly. Playa de la Zurriola is a hot spot for surfers looking to ride the Atlantic waves.

Some great places to go see while in San Sebastian include Iglesia Parroquial San Salvador, which was a church that essentially established the territory on July 6th, 1397. The Palacio de Aiete is a palace built in 1878. It is surrounded by ponds and gardens and perfect for sightseeing due to its elevated location. The Funicular de Igeldo is a cable car that was built in 1912 that connects Ondarreta Beach to the Igeldo Amusement Park. Another couple places in which to view breathtaking sights of San Sebastian include Monte Urgull and Monte igueldo.

Food and Festivities are a primary activity in San Sebastian. The inhabitants of this area have their own version of tapas, called pintxo. Pintxos are typically bedded on small pieces of bread or on tiny half-baguettes. Topping the bread are mouthwatering mixtures of foods like seafood, marinated anchovies, squid, crab, pate or mushrooms. One of the best places to go if you are in the mood to party is Parte Vieja (Old Town). This area contains more bars per square metre than anywhere else on Earth. The folks of San Sebastian celebrate a custom called Poteo. This customer includes meeting up with friends after work for food, drinks and conversation.

Annual Events: Some of the favorite events that take place in San Sebastian include the San Sebastian International Film Festival in September, the International Jazz Festival in late July as well as the “Aste Nagusia in mid-August. This festival lasts an entire week and is filled with traditional Basque music, dancing, sporting events, fireworks and lots of traditional foods. It is a party you won’t want to miss!

Glacier Bay National Park is located in Southeast Alaska. It is almost 70 miles long and surrounded by glaciated mountains, presenting the most spectacular imagery and breathtaking views. The 3.28 million acre park has an abundance of flora and fauna as well as an amazing assortment of marine life, including porpoise, seals, otters, sea lions and three species of whales. Glacier Bay is natural and undeveloped beyond Bartlett Cove, which will provide you with an adventure provided in a way that only nature can. There are 10 glaciers which flow down from the mountains and fill the sea with icebergs. It is a marvel that must be experienced personally to truly understand.

The best and seemingly only way into Glacier Bay National Park is through Gustavus, AK and is even called the “Gateway to Glacier Bay National Park.” It is a mere 8 miles from the Park and is a beautiful little town that is surrounded by mountains. There is a bed and breakfast where you can stay (there are accommodations at the park as well).

Once at Glacier Bay National Park, you have a lot of activities to consider. Probably one of the popular activities includes kayaking through the bay and passageways to explore the park on your own terms. There are kayaking expeditions that range from the beginner to experienced. Kayak solo or with guides, depending on your experience level and interest. While kayaking, you will meet a dizzying array of marine wildlife, including orcas, humpback whales, dall porpoises, Steller’s sea lions, seals, and sea otters. You will also see a lot of wildlife trotting along the shoreline, including bears! You can even go on a kayaking excursion where you can camp along the path, either on the shoreline or in a bit further, allowing you to get close to nature. If you are not a kayaking enthusiast, you can still have a wonderful experience by taking a cruise boat with a guide to point out various and interesting points along the tour.

Other activities include whale watching, the best of which is between June and September when many whale species come to the bay to feed. Alaska is also well known for having the best fishing on earth. If you are a fishing enthusiast, you should consider sport and charter fishing as part of your vacation. There are countless rivers, streams, lakes and ocean waters in which to fish. Halibut are in abundance and can be as large as 300 pounds! Other fish species include the Silver, Sockeye, Pink, Chum, and King. Crab and shrimp are also abundant, plus Dolly Vardin, Cutthroat trout and five species of Salmon! Hiking or mountain biking are great ways to explore the various flora and fauna but the park is natural, thus has few cut trails. Beachcombing is another fun way to explore the various tide pools where you may find shells, driftwood, mullusks, bones and pebbles. A great way to see the Park is through flight. What a great way to experience the 15,000 foot glaciated peaks? You can also experience the Tongass National Forest and Outer Cost of Alaska in one trip! For the more experienced, there are some climbing and mountaineering and should only be considered with a guide. There is even a 9 hole golf course! Whatever you choose to do, be sure to pack the camera as you will want to capture the amazing wildlife and picturesque views.

As for accommodations, there is the obvious way: camping. The only one designated camping site but you can also camp in “non-designated” areas in the park, especially if out on a kayaking excursion! Just be sure you are well equipped and remember to take care of the nature around you! However, if you are not a camping enthusiast, there is the Glacier Bay Lodge which is located inside the park.

Independence day is upon us so I figured I would do a piece on some fantastic spots in the nation where you can view a spectacular fireworks show and have a fantastic time doing so.

Washington, DC: The festivities start about a week early and some of the attractions include the Smithsonian Folk life Festival along the National Mall, There, you will find food, crafts, concerts, and more. The festival is free and it showcases all the different customs and cultures found in America. Check out the National Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue. There you will enjoy bands, giant balloons, fantastic floats and military personnel marching past our national monuments. Take in a concert on the west lawn of the Capital Building where you will enjoy music by special guest performances accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra. Following this is one of the largest and most spectacular fireworks shows in the nation, which uses the Washington Monument and the Capital Building as a backdrop.

New York City, NY: There is never a dull moment in NYC. Some of the fun festivities include the famous hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s on Coney Island. There is a free performance in Battery Park and a myriad of cruises to enjoy – most of which are family friendly. The Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular begins over the East River each year. In addition to the fireworks, fire boats in the river shoot patriotic streams of fire high into the air. Music is broadcast by local radio stations and the entire event is shown on national television by the local NBC station right there in the city. Grab a seat alongside the river and enjoy the show. As night falls, you will enjoy Macy’s fireworks show where fireworks are released from six barges on the Hudson River. Each year there is a theme (this year’s theme is American Harmony – a History of American Music) and the music is performed in sync with the fireworks. Always present are celebrities singing favorite tunes, military personnel and music groups. The NY Pops Orchestra will be performing this year along with Broadway Inspirational Voices, US Army Soldiers Chorus, etc.

Boston, MA: The Boston Harborfest is held for one week leading up to Independence day with over 200 events to fill your days. Most of the celebration focuses on Boston’s maritime and colonial past and held along the waterfront, Harbor Islands and downtown. Some highlights include the Boston Chowder fest, where Boston area restaurants compete for the title of the best chowder, the annual turnaround of the USS Constitution and the reading of the Declaration of Independence (read from the balcony of the Old State House). There are a myriad of concerts, cruises, tours and kid friendly activities as well. Once it gets dark, you will take in one of the most famous fireworks show in our nation’s history. The Boston Pops Orchestra plays a 4th of July Concert each year. People line the banks of the Charles river to watch the concert and the fireworks display where the Boston Pops plays a medley of new and old music but they always end with the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky. It is quite moving and one you won’t want to miss.

Philadelphia, PA: Another week long celebration is held in Philly. There are concerts, movies and activities for the whole family. There are hot dog festivals, all you can eat ice cream parties and more, During the day, check out the Party on the Parkway Festival for great food and fun activities for the whole family. It stretches along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. At night, check out the concert which hosts famous bands and performers as well as the amazing fireworks display with the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the background.

Lake Tahoe, Navada: Lake Tahoe is simply an amazing place to visit but not usually considered to be a place to go for Independence day. Well, I suggest you reconsider. While there are a slew of events and activities (which are irrelevant to the holiday and can be enjoyed year round), the fireworks display is pretty cool as well! Considered one of the largest shows in the west, this fireworks display is amazing! The fireworks are shot from a barge on the lake and you can enjoy them from most any vantage point on the lake. People gather on the shores, docks and lake to enjoy the show. There are no live concerts but you can listen to music being broadcasted for the event by the radio stations.

Chicago, IL: The cities festivities kick off a few days prior to Independence day with festivals, concerts, ballgames and tours. As for the fireworks, the city of Chicago and the Navy Pier cosponsor the event. Check out the display from the shores of the lake, around Buckingham Fountain, or in beautiful Grant Park. Or, take a dinner cruise before the show and enjoy the display from the water.

San Diego, CA: Head down to the shores of Mission and Pacific beaches for some BBQ, sunbathing, bonfires and outdoor activities. You can even camp out overnight and make it a weekend event! There are carnivals, the Freedom Day’s Parade and San Diego County Fair to enjoy leading up to the fireworks show. The fireworks are shot out from four barges along the bay off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Seaport Village and the Coronado Ferry Landing. Fireworks also will be discharged at the Imperial Beach Pier.