Here’s where to see Fourth of July fireworks in SLO County

Lucy Peterson
·4 min read

Magnificent pyrotechnic displays will light up the skies over San Luis Obispo County this Fourth of July.

This year, you can see professional fireworks shows at five different locations throughout San Luis Obispo County.

The San Luis Obispo Blues baseball team kicks off the Independence Day fun a day early with a home game against the Santa Barbara Foresters on Monday at Sinsheimer Stadium, 900 Southwood Drive in San Luis Obispo.

The sold-out game will be followed by a fireworks display over the stadium.

There are also plenty of free pyrotechnic displays in store.

Cambria’s Fourth of July celebration, taking place Tuesday at Shamel Park off Highway 1, concludes with low-altitude fireworks designed to provide better visibility in the event of fog.

Mild weather and clear skies brought the crowds to the beach for the Pismo Beach firework show, Monday, July 2022.
Mild weather and clear skies brought the crowds to the beach for the Pismo Beach firework show, Monday, July 2022.

The fireworks show will begin at 9:15 p.m.

Cayucos will host a fireworks display starting at 9 p.m. Tuesday. Fireworks will take place at the pier, near the Cayucos Veterans Memorial Building, and can be viewed from the beach.

Fireworks return this year to Paso Robles’ Independence Day event at Barney Schwartz Park, 2970 Union Road. The pyrotechnics show will start at 9:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Fireworks will light up the skies above the Pismo Beach Pier around 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The pyrotechnic display, which will be visible from the beach, is expected to last around 20 minutes.

Fireworks over Cambria in 2016.
Fireworks over Cambria in 2016.

Traffic, parking issues expected on Fourth of July

The Cayucos Chamber of Commerce warned that parking will be limited throughout the town on the Fourth of July.

Parking lots in the downtown core and street parking will be limited on a first come, first serve basis. Cars will not be allowed to park in the same spot for more than 72 hours leading up to the event.

In order to help alleviate Independence Day traffic in Cambria, a trolley will run from Main Street to Shamel Park all day. The trolley will also stop at the vets hall parking lot, where additional parking will be located.

Paso Robles is offering free parking on Tuesday, including free recreational vehicle parking, on the north side of Union Road near the park. The city warned that traffic will be heavy at the end of the event.

Pismo Beach fireworks show, Monday July 4, 2022.
Pismo Beach fireworks show, Monday July 4, 2022.

Where to use safe and sane fireworks on Independence Day

Although so-called “safe and sane” fireworks can be set off in some San Luis Obispo County communities on Independence Day, its illegal to use or possess fireworks in most of the region.

Fireworks are also forbidden in Los Padres National Forest and at state and county parks and beaches.

The only SLO County locations where personal fireworks are allowed are within the boundaries of Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Oceano, San Miguel and Templeton.

“Long may she wave.” John Shankle of Cambria captured this 2018 July 4th juxtapositioning of the U.S. flag and fireworks over the sea, shot off from the shore near the town’s Shamel Park. The town won’t have a fireworks display this year, but there will be fun, food and games in the afternoon around the Veterans Memorial Building, 1000 Main St.
“Long may she wave.” John Shankle of Cambria captured this 2018 July 4th juxtapositioning of the U.S. flag and fireworks over the sea, shot off from the shore near the town’s Shamel Park. The town won’t have a fireworks display this year, but there will be fun, food and games in the afternoon around the Veterans Memorial Building, 1000 Main St.

In Morro Bay, people can set off fireworks at private residences, but not at the beach or park areas. Some restrictions may apply, and offenders can be cited and/or fined for illegal fireworks use.

This year, many communities will be increasing enforcement of illegal firework use.

Paso Robles police officers and firefighters will be using aerial device technology with GPS and video capabilities to help pinpoint where fireworks are being used, the city said in a news release on Wednesday.

Mild weather and clear skies brought the crowds to the beach for the Pismo Beach firework show, Monday, July 2022.
Mild weather and clear skies brought the crowds to the beach for the Pismo Beach firework show, Monday, July 2022.

How to keep pets safe around fireworks

This Fourth of July, Woods Humane Society and the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services Division are asking the community to keep pets out of shelters and in their homes.

“Each year, our shelter fills up with pets who become lost after being frightened by fireworks,” Eric Anderson, Animal Services manager for SLO County, said in a news release.

In order to avoid unnecessarily filling up shelter space, Woods Humane Society urges the community to try and reunite pets with their owners before bringing them to Animal Services.

Trying to locate a pet’s owner before bringing them to the shelter improves chances of reunification, according to Woods Humane Society.

To avoid losing a pet due to fireworks, Woods Humane Society recommends keeping pets at home or away from noises and crowds. Additionally, pet owners should be aware of exits that pets might escape through.

It’s also important to make sure pets are wearing collars with up-to-date tags, even pets who stay indoors, Woods Humane Society said.

Fireworks explode over the Cayucos Pier on July 4, 2021.
Fireworks explode over the Cayucos Pier on July 4, 2021.