Festivals and fireworks on the 4th Festivals and fireworks on the 4th (July 01, 2005)

Who's doing what where

Pleasanton may not have fireworks of its own, but there is a plethora to choose from, ranging from hometown-simple to synchronized-to-music extravaganzas. Here's a partial listing:

€ LIVERMORE - at dusk, Robertson Park 3200 Robertson Park Rd., Livermore (925) 373-5700 Parking at a premium, arrive early.

€ SAN RAMON - 8:30 p.m., San Ramon Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd. and Bollinger Canyon, (925) 973-3200

€ SAN FRANCISCO - 9:30 p.m. Pier 39, Beach St. and The Embarcadero. Can be seen from Aquatic Park and mid-bay near Alcatraz, between Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. (415) 705-5500 www.pier39.com OTHER TIPS FOR VIEWING THE SAN FRANCISCO FIREWORKS:

By Land -

Any point between Aquatic Park and PIER 39, from the Marin Headlands, and from points in Sausalito and Tiburon. Also try neighborhood hills: Kite Hill, Corona Heights Hill (behind Randall Museum), Twin Peaks, Telegraph Hill and others.

By Sea -

Red and White Fleet Fireworks Cruise - Four sailings, two at 7:45 p.m. and two at 8:15 p.m. Boarding will take place 15 minutes prior to departure from Pier 43 1/2 at Fisherman's Wharf and will return at approximately 10:30 p.m. Tickets available on-line, $40 for adults and $20 for children. (415) 673-2900

Hornblower Fireworks Cruises - Pier 33, Embarcadero, S.F. and Berkeley Marina, reservations recommended: (800)-HORNBLOWER, or (888) 467-6256:

-San Francisco Belle - sails from Pier 3 on the Embarcadero. Boarding 7 p.m. Cruise 8-11 p.m. includes buffet.

-Hornblower Yacht - sails from Berkeley Marina, boarding 7 p.m., cruise 8-11 p.m. includes buffet

€ BERKELEY - 9:00 p.m. at the Marina, 160 University Ave., automobile access limited. (510) 644-6376 ext. 221 or (510) 644-6376, ext. 228

€ San Jose - 9:30 p.m., fireworks set to music. Guadalupe River Park's Discovery Meadow, Woz Way and W. San Carlos St. (408) 294-2100 ext. 444 www.americanfestival.com

€ OAKLAND - Jack London square, 70 Washington St., Oakland East Bay Symphony, fireworks in sync to music at about 9:15 p.m. over the Estuary. (510) 444-0801, (510) 522-3300

€ OAKLAND stadium - Anaheim Angels vs. Oakland Athletics Game: 5:05 p.m., fireworks after the game. (510) 549-7003

€ MONTEREY - 9:15 p.m. Municipal Wharf, (831) 646-3996

€ SANTA CLARA - Paramount's Great America 9:45 p.m., 4701 Great America Parkway (408) 988-1776 www.pgathrills.com Free with park admission.

€ VALLEJO - Six Flags Marine World 2001 Marine World Parkway, displays on both July 4 and 5. Free with Park Admission. (707) 643-6722

€ MOUNTAIN VIEW - Shoreline Amphitheater. Fireworks at dusk set to music, the San Francisco Symphony. Doors open at 5 p.m., show starts at 6 p.m. Box Office: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Ticketmaster (408) 998-8497 or (415) 421-8497

Danville's popular Independence Day parade draws tens of thousands of spectators. This year's theme honors America's veterans. The parade begins at 11 a.m. at the corner of Hartz Avenue and Railroad Avenue, continues down Hartz and San Ramon Valley Road and ends at the corner of San Ramon Valley Road and Sycamore Valley Road. For more information, call (925) 791-2633.

There will also be Independence Day activities at Ohlone College in Fremont. The college Amphitheatre will host the 91st Division Military Band and Salute Battery. This is a full military band, complete with bagpipes and cannons.

The concert begins at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free, with $2 parking. The college recommends bringing plenty of blankets to enjoy the music, as well as the various fireworks' display visible from the Amphitheatre's setting. -Carol Bogart >

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