Hundreds of thousands of people will be flocking to Southern California’s beaches on Fourth of July, setting up on the sand to kick off the holiday festivities, with plenty of fun in the sun during the day and fireworks, and increasingly this year, drone shows, in the evening.
Weather that could reach 90s, and even near 100 degrees, inland means big crowds can be expected to flock to the beach on Thursday and into the weekend, where beach weather is expected to be milder – in the upper 70s.
National Weather Service meteorologist Adam Roser said there will be morning and late night marine layer – hopefully not showing up until after the evening fireworks and drone shows are complete.
A sizable south swell is expected to bring 4- to 6-foot waves to areas such as Huntington Beach and Newport Beach on the Fourth of July, according to Surfline. Waves in the 3- to 4-foot range will likely show up in other areas such as the South Bay and San Clemente.
Beachgoers should be mindful of the ocean conditions, especially rip currents that can suck them out to sea.
“There will definitely be some elevated high surf, especially in Orange County,” Roser said. “Definitely be careful at the beaches.”
The strong swell will stick around through the holiday weekend, so continue to be mindful of hazardous conditions.
Some suggestions for where waves will be more mellow are the northside of the Newport Pier and Newport Dunes, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach Harbor and Long Beach’s shoreline.
If you are setting up at the beach on the Fourth of July to watch the evening fireworks and drone shows, make sure you choose a spot far from the waterline.
A mega high tide of 6.4 feet will fill in through the afternoon and peak just ahead of most of the shows at about 8:30 p.m., so sand space that existed in the day will be overtaken by water as the tide pushes up.
That means your valuables could get soaked and moving back will be challenging with people already set up behind you.
A day at the beach can be filled with frustration if you don’t plan ahead, and pack a bit of patience.
“Everybody is frustrated and angry at how long and difficult it is to get where they need to go,” State Parks Orange Coast Superintendent Kevin Pearsall said. “They just need to have that extra time and to know everybody needs time to get where they are going.”
Here’s your biggest and most important tip: Go early.
Plenty of people get an early start, some even showing up before sunrise, to get prime parking spots or to reserve their fire ring on the sand – not all beaches offer pits, so check before you plan a bonfire.
Aim to go to beaches with plentiful parking structures nearby or big lots, and be mindful of morning-time events that could draw early crowds, like at Huntington Beach’s city beach where a 5K run and parade in the downtown area will shut down streets.
It takes determination and patience to snag one of the in-demand fire rings that dot the sand at select beaches; many claim a spot before dawn.
Fire rings can be found along the Huntington Beach shore, including at Bolsa State Beach, seen here. (File photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
And, don’t plan to set stuff down and simply leave. Your stuff may get moved and a new group of people may claim the spot.
The best bet for fire rings on the sand are the city and state beaches in Huntington Beach, which also includes Bolsa Chica State Beach, where hundreds of fire rings dot the sand. There are also some at Doheny State Beach, but those are in the grassy area and not directly on the sand.
Dockweiler Beach in the South Bay has about 40 rings up for grabs.
Newport Dunes firework show in the bay reflects off the water.(Photo courtesy of Newport Dunes)
A show in Laguna Beach will have a new look, with drones lighting up the sky rather than the fireworks that go boom.
Pearsall also said people should make sure they are prepared with fluids to stay hydrated and they lather on the sunscreen.
He also asked that people be mindful of how much trash they bring, and to take what they can out with them when they leave.
“One of the biggest trash accumulating days, on the beaches, is the Fourth of July. We would love people to be conscious of how much refuse they use,” he said.
In 2023, 1,300 Surfrider Foundation volunteers participated in 30 cleanups, picking up 100,000 pounds of trash across the country, according to an announcement from the nonprofit. “Unfortunately, the staggering amount of trash and pollution left behind has officially made the Fifth of July the dirtiest beach day of the year across the United States with plastic bottles, utensils, bags, straws, cans, and more left behind.”
Surfrider’s South Bay chapter will be at the Redondo Beach Pier on Friday with free beach cleanup supplies for volunteers who want to help.
In Orange County, the Doheny Longboard Surfing Association shows up each year to pick up debris at Doheny State Beach, and volunteers are welcome to join the effort.
Volunteers with the Doheny Longboard Surfing Association help haul away trash left behind by Fourth of July revelers on July 5, 2022 at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. (Photo by Laylan Connelly/SCNG)
Most of all, if you’re heading to the coast, try to enjoy the day among the crowds.
“Be incredibly prepared and patient,” Pearsall warned. “There’s parades and fireworks and good weather … we anticipate a lot of people wanting to come and enjoy the coastal beaches.”
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