Where to Celebrate July Fourth in Half Moon Bay

Planning your July Fourth celebration? Why not stay close to home? Here are some events happening from Half Moon Bay to Pacifica for those who want to stay local and celebrate Independence Day. Click on the event headline to get more details about each event.

And if you know of an event that we missed, please let us know in the Comments section below.

Half Moon Bay

Lions Annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast, 8 a.m. to noon

The Half Moon Bay Lions will be hosting their annual pancake breakfast on July 4th in Mac Dutra Park at Kelly Ave. and Main St. The Lions have been putting on this event for many years and are prepared again. The breakfast will include all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. The funds raised at this event are used to support local activities including the high school gymnastics team. Stop by early and then you can pick your spot to watch the parade.

Annual 4th of July Parade, 12 to 1 p.m.

Half Moon Bay celebrates Independence Day and its classic small town spirit with the popular Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade on Main Street. Starting at noon, the delightful, home-spun parade featuring a charming array of creative floats, marching bands, equine groups, classic cars, decorated trikes and bikes, youth sports teams, dance and theatre troupes, a Color Guard by the American Legion, and local dignitaries will slowly wind its way through downtown.

An annual tradition, the American Legion in Princeton by the Sea will host a barbecue picnic with food available for purchase. Everyone is invited to the American Legion Post 474's 4th of July BBQ with hot dogs ($6) and hamburgers ($7), including sides and dessert.  

Pacifica

Rocket Run — 5 Miles, 9 a.m.

Join the Rocket Run, a 5-mile race starting and ending at the Community Center, 540 Crespi Dr. at 9 a.m. on the Fourth of July. Men's and women's divisions - 13 and under, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and over. Medals to top six finishers in each division. Entry fee goes up to $20 after June 7. Any questions, call 738-7381. Register here.

4th of July Celebration at Frontierland Park, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join the Pacifica's Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department for a fun day of crafts, games, music and more at Frontierland Park. (Yosemite Dr. @ Humboldt Ct.)

"Safe and Sane" Fireworks in Pacifica, through 11 p.m.

Pacifica is one of the few cities in the Bay Area to allow legal, "safe & sane" fireworks for the July 4th holiday. Illegal fireworks are prohibited on all Pacifica beaches according to the California Health and Safety Code. There are NO fireworks of any type allowed on any beaches in the City of Pacifica, except for a defined portion of Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar.  There are also two other sites where legal "safe and sane"  fireworks are allowed.  Legal fireworks must have the State Fire Marshal seal of approval. Two other sites are South Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar parking lot on the asphalt area of the parking lot and South Rockaway Beach parking lot on the asphalt area of the parking lot. There's an 11 p.m. curfew on the use of "safe and sane" fireworks and imposes a $1,000 administrative fine on individuals who use illegal fireworks. 

About this column: A digest of what to expect in government, the arts and sports during the upcoming week. The column will run Monday mornings.