Your Fourth of July Beach Day, Sorted
Your Fourth of July Beach Day, Sorted: What to Wear, What to Pack, Where to Watch
The Fourth is the unofficial peak of summer. Beach during the day, rolls into backyard BBQ in the afternoon, then when it gets dark, fireworks on the sand! Somewhere in there, somehow, you're supposed to look cute the whole time.
We've been outfitting San Diego's Fourth of July crowd for 30+ years, and we've got it down to a science: what to wear, what to toss in your beach bag, and where to actually watch the neon lights.
Here's everything you need to make this Fourth your easiest one yet!
The Outfit: Festive Without Going Full Costume
The trick to nailing Red, White & Blue is restraint. One statement piece, neutral everything else. Head-to-toe flag print reads costume; one great RWB bikini with crisp white shorts and gold jewelry reads intentional.
A few combinations that work every time:
- The red bikini. A classic red top and bottom set is the easiest way to lean festive without committing to the full color scheme. Pair with white linen shorts and gold hoops.
- The blue bikini, denim shorts, white tank. Throw a denim cutoff over a navy or royal blue bikini, knot a white tank, and you're done. Photographs beautifully against any backdrop.
- The white bikini, statement everything else. White suit, red lip, blue toenails, a star-print bandana in your hair or tied on your bag. Subtle but unmistakable.
- The one printed RWB piece. If you want the full patriotic moment, do it in one piece — a star-print top or a stripe bottom — and keep everything else neutral.
Browse our Red, White & Blue collection for the suits we pull every year specifically for this holiday.
What to Pack
Fourth of July is a marathon of a day — sun, sand, food, fireworks. This is the bag to get you through it:
- A backup cover-up: Once the sun starts setting, it gets cold fast. A lightweight button-down or a flowy pareo over your suit will save you from the chill.
- A towel or beach blanket: A comfy barrier between you and the sand is necessary for all day Fourth fun. Plus, it can double as a sweater when the sun goes down!
- Reef-safe sunscreen: Reapply more often than you think. Sun + saltwater + day-drinking is a recipe for a brutal burn. Make sure to stay hydrated!
- A hat and sunglasses: A cute wide brim hat for beach festivities, or a fun baseball cap for the cookout. Definitely grab some polarized sunnies to protect your eyes.
- A waterproof bag or pouch: For if you don't want to risk your phone by the pool or ocean — that camera is crucial for the fireworks!
- Sparklers and a lighter: Fireworks on the ground, if your beach allows them (San Diego beaches generally don't, so check first!).
- Layers for the night: San Diego nights get deceptively chilly, especially on the sand. Pack an extra hoodie or oversized long-sleeve tee.
- Snacks and water: Waiting in line for overpriced food is a nightmare. Pack your favorite snacks and beverages ahead of time to stay prepared!
Where to Watch Fireworks in San Diego
A few of the spots we love, plus what to wear for each:
Big Bay Boom — San Diego Bay
The biggest fireworks show on the West Coast, launched from barges across the bay. You can see the best views from Embarcadero, Shelter Island, Harbor Island, and the Coronado Ferry Landing. This one calls for an outfit that works for a long evening: bikini under a maxi dress or jumpsuit, sandals you can walk in.
Mission Beach / Pacific Beach
Our home turf. Boardwalk all day, fireworks from the bay or up the coast at night. Casual all-day energy: bikini, denim shorts, an off the shoulder tee, flip-flops. Throw a hoodie in your bag for after sunset.
La Jolla Cove
A more low-key, scenic option. The crowd is smaller and the views over the cliffs are unreal. Dress a notch up — a one-piece doubling as a bodysuit under a flowy skirt, gold jewelry, classy sandals.
Coronado
Family-friendly, picnic-vibes, fireworks right on the beach. Classic Americana setting. Bring a blanket, pack snacks, dress for sitting on sand for hours.
Oceanside Pier
A little farther north, less crowded than downtown, and the pier-and-fireworks combo is hard to beat for photos. Casual coastal — bright bikini, denim shorts, a flowy button-down.
Always double-check show times and any beach restrictions the week of — they change year to year.
The Day, Roughly Mapped Out
Daytime: Beach day in your statement suit. Sunscreen, water, snacks. Take your photos while the light is good.
Afternoon: BBQ or backyard hang. Throw a cover-up or denim shorts over your suit. Refresh sunscreen and lippie.
Evening: Layer up for fireworks, make the cover-up become your outfit. Bring a blanket, and don't forget to charge your phone!
Night: Make your way home with sandy feet, salt in your hair, and a slight sunburn. The way summer's supposed to feel.
Come See Us Before the Fourth
We're already stocked with the bikinis and cover-ups that get pulled every year for this exact holiday. Stop by The Bikini Shoppe in Mission Beach (a few blocks from one of the best fireworks-watching spots in the city, by the way) and we'll help you put the whole look together — from hat to sandals and everything in between.
See you on the sand!
