4th of July Specials Around San Diego

The Smoking Gun

The Smoking Gun in the Gaslamp is running a Fourth of July special called the Firework Show – their Butter Burger (double wagyu, American cheese, roasted garlic aioli, and pickles on a buttered brioche bun), fries, and a boilermaker of your choice, all for $15. Pick your poison: the Bitter Buckaroo (Fernet and Coors Banquet), Buck Hunter (Jager and Busch Light), Juan on Juan (Real De Valle Blanco and Coronitas), or Beam Me Up, Scotty (Jim Beam and Smoking Gun Industry IPA).

Fifteen bucks, a cold beer, and a burger – that’s a holiday.

📆 Saturday, July 4
📍 555 Market Street, Gaslamp

George’s at the Cove

George’s at the Cove in La Jolla is running three days of special menu items over Fourth of July weekend, with a portion of proceeds going to Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS).

Partner/Chef Trey Foshee and Executive Chef Masa Kojima are presenting Wagyu Beef Tartare with charred scallion aioli, pickled mustard seeds, cornichons, capers, and cured egg yolk alongside a Wagyu Burger with Comté cheese, onion rings, bacon, and BBQ sauce.

Cocktail specials include the Peach of the Pie (Colonel E.H. Taylor small batch bourbon, peach liqueur, walnut bitters) and Give a Buck (Wild Turkey, Fever-Tree Ginger Beer, lemon, Angostura bitters).

At the end of the meal, there’s also an option to donate directly to VETS in $20 increments.

📆 Friday, July 3 – Sunday, July 5
🎟️ Reserve your table

barleymash

Gaslamp’s barleymash is running a three-day Fourth of July weekend with something different each night.

Friday brings Party in the USA Karaoke with a cocktail lineup including the Star Spangled Spritz (Tito’s, lemon, basil, sparkling wine, and club soda), Frose in the USA (Tito’s, frose slushie, and strawberry ice), and the Patriotic Perk Me Up (Tito’s, cold brew from Spill the Beans, sugar, and birthday cake whip).

On the Fourth, a DJ takes over at 9:30 PM and the kitchen adds the President’s Platter – lemon pepper grilled chicken thigh, potato salad, and grilled asparagus. Sunday closes things out with the Red White and Boozy Brunch from 10 AM to noon, same drink specials included.

📆 Friday, July 3 – Sunday, July 5
📍 600 5th Ave., Gaslamp District

Temaki Bar

Temaki Bar in Encinitas is marking Independence Day weekend with a roll that lives up to its name.

The Firecracker Roll layers kanikama, cucumber, avocado, and gobo, topped with spicy tuna, serrano, spicy mayo, bubu, finadene, and Pop Rocks for $23. Wash it down with $5 sake bombs all weekend long.

📆 Friday, July 3 – Sunday, July 5 | Open at 11 AM daily

Borrego Rooftop Kitchen

Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails atop Hotel Indigo in the Gaslamp is a solid perch for the Fourth – sweeping views of the bay and ocean, live music Friday and Saturday, a featured holiday cocktail, and a front-row seat as fireworks light up the coastline.

The Baja-inspired menu keeps things interesting between sets, with craft cocktails and bites that hold up to the setting. If you’re looking for a rooftop spot that doesn’t require a ticket or a wristband, this one’s worth bookmarking.

📆 Friday, July 3 – Saturday, July 4 | Opens 4 PM daily

Amaya

Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s Amaya restaurant is marking America’s 250th anniversary with a five-course tasting menu built around the regional flavors and historic influences that define American cooking – coast to coast.

Each course comes with curated beverage pairings spanning fine wines, craft cocktails, and artisanal selections. The 250 Grand Tasting Menu is $250 per person.

📆 Friday, July 3 – Saturday, July 4
🎟️ Book your table via OpenTable

Karl Strauss

Karl Strauss is making the Fourth easy – every beer on tap is $4 a pint for one day only across all four locations in 4S Ranch, Carlsbad, Downtown, and Sorrento Mesa.

That includes the original Red Trolley Ale, first brewed in 1989, and the newest release, Hard Cherry Cola. To-go beers are also 15% off. Four bucks a pint at a San Diego brewery institution on Independence Day is a pretty hard deal to talk yourself out of. Round up the crew, pick a location, and plan accordingly.

📆 Saturday, July 4 | To-go discount: Friday, July 3 – Saturday, July 4

Andaz San Diego

Andaz San Diego is teaming up with Block Party and Happening Times for a rooftop Fourth of July pool party with two stages, surprise musical performances, poolside cabanas, and panoramic city skyline views. The event runs through the Big Bay Boom fireworks, making it one of the better vantage points in Downtown San Diego for the city’s 250th birthday celebration.

Tickets run $59 before 4 PM and $69 after 6 PM. The official after-party inside the hotel keeps things going later – $50 general admission or $40 for groups. Limited rooftop capacity means tickets are expected to go fast.

📆 Saturday, July 4 | 2 PM – 10 PM
🎟️ Get your rooftop tickets | Get your after-party tickets

Almost Nakey Freedom Fest

Almost Nakey Freedom Fest is taking over the Mission Beach boardwalk for a full Fourth of July blowout. Two stages, massive inflatables, beer pong, a dunk tank, and activations from Coca-Cola and Long Drink set the scene, with a lineup featuring Austin Millz, Girl Math, Edris Omar, Burko, Luke Andy, and a special appearance from MIMS.

It’s on the beach, it’s on the Fourth, and it’s exactly the kind of chaotic fun the holiday deserves. This one’s going to sell out – lock in your spot early.

📆 Saturday, July 4 | 5 PM – 10 PM
🎟️ Get your tickets

Mission Pacific has multiple spots to catch the annual San Diego Salute Formation, a flyover tribute featuring vintage Beechcraft T-34 military trainer aircraft soaring over the Oceanside Pier.

The event kicks off at 4 PM with a ceremonial Presentation of the Colors. Viewing options include cabana seating at The Rooftop Bar, Valle’s ocean-view patio (open from 2 PM with a special beverage menu), The Seabird’s beachfront cocktail lounge Shore Room, and their oceanfront pool deck Shelter Club.

Frontwave Arena

Frontwave Arena in Oceanside is kicking off Fourth of July weekend with Summer Spectacular presented by TrueCare. The Morgan Leigh Band – one of Southern California’s hardest-working country acts – headlines the night with a mix of current hits and original music.

Specialty drinks, an elevated food menu, and raffles and giveaways keep things going until the main event: Oceanside’s fireworks and drone show lighting up the sky at 9 PM, with Frontwave Arena offering one of the best views in town.

📆 Friday, July 3 | 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Fireworks & drone show at 9 PM
🎟️ Get your tickets now

Chere Amie

Instead of watching the Big Bay Boom from the shore, board the Chere Amie at Point Loma Sportfishing for a front-row view right on San Diego Bay. The 90-foot yacht comes stocked with a full bar, an open-view dance floor, and lounge areas across two decks, with views of the Downtown skyline, Coronado Bridge, and Convention Center as the backdrop.

Boarding starts with a complimentary glass of champagne, patriotic signature cocktails flow throughout, and VIP bottle and table service is available. Top 40, hip hop, and pop keep both decks moving until the fireworks take over the sky. Festive patriotic attire encouraged.

📆 Saturday, July 4 | Boarding 7 PM | Cruise 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
🎟️ Snag your tickets