10 spectacular scenes from Southern California's July 4 celebrations

Los Angeles Times Staff
·2 min read
LOS ALAMITOS, CA - JULY 4, 2020: Southern California residents sit on the roofs of their vehicles to watch the fireworks during the Drive-Up 4th of July Spectacular at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base during the coronavirus pandemic on July 4, 2020 in Los Alamitos, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Southern California residents sit on the roofs of their vehicles to watch the fireworks during the Drive-Up 4th of July Spectacular at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Beaches were closed and many fireworks shows were canceled.

Huntington Beach's annual 4th of July Parade went from the largest celebration west of the Mississippi to a neighborhood drive-by.

Still, the Southland celebrated.

Lighting up the sky over North Hollywood

Fireworks light up the sky over North Hollywood, as seen from Burbank.
Fireworks light up the sky Saturday over North Hollywood, as seen from Burbank. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times)
Fireworks light up the sky over North Hollywood, as seen from Burbank.
Fireworks explode Saturday over North Hollywood, as seen from Burbank. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times)

Red, white, blue and round

The Ferris wheel is lighted in patriotic colors on July 4 weekend at the pier in Santa Monica.
The Ferris wheel is lighted in patriotic colors on July 4 weekend at the pier in Santa Monica. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Augmented parade

OneHB Neighborhood Parade on Saturday in Huntington Beach
American Legion Post 133 is represented in the OneHB Neighborhood Parade passing along Rockinghorse Lane in Huntington Beach celebrating July 4 with two vehicle caravans traveling on separate routes, passing within a mile of every single home in the city. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Miss Huntington Beach and Court is represented in the OneHB Neighborhood Parade in Huntington Beach celebrating July 4
Miss Huntington Beach and Court is represented in the OneHB Neighborhood Parade passing along Frans Lane in Huntington Beach celebrating July 4 with two vehicle caravans traveling on separate routes, passing within a mile of every single home in the city. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Mike Whitford in a Captain America costume is with his family and the Schmidgall family as OneHB Neighborhood Parade passes

Spirited attire

Tita Jaramillo runs on Balboa Pier in patriotic colors on July 4.
Tita Jaramillo runs on Balboa Pier in patriotic colors July 4. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

Above it all

A powered paraglider flies above high surf near the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach on July 4.
A powered paraglider flies above high surf near the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach on July 4. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

Closed for the holiday

A bicyclist rides along the closed bike path in Manhattan Beach.
A bicyclist rides along the closed bike path in Manhattan Beach. Los Angeles County closed beaches, piers, parking lots and bike paths for July 4 weekend due to increased COVID-19 cases. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)