Happy Fourth of July Weekend to All West Coast Sailors, Plus S.F. Bay Fireworks Exclusion Zones
Happy 250th Fourth of July! It’s a great weekend to get out on the Bay, but don’t forget there’s an enormous Fourth of July fireworks show planned for Saturday night, with fireworks to be fired off the Golden Gate Bridge and along the Cityfront. If you plan to be on your boat on Saturday night, make sure your running lights are working and you’re prepared for a busy night on the Bay. (Richmond and the Hilton Delta Fireworks at Mandeville Tip are tonight, July 3.)
USCG has issued a notice of Fireworks Exclusion Zones for July Fourth on San Francisco Bay. We’re told there will be a safety zone in effect on the day (we understand 1600–2300), which is intended to keep vessels away from the fireworks barges during the transit to the display locations and during the actual fireworks show. Additionally, there is a safety zone around the Golden Gate Bridge, and traffic will be closed in that area during the fireworks show. No vessels should be transiting under the Golden Gate Bridge during the fireworks show. Details, as forwarded to us, are below.
BOATING PUBLIC NOTICE
The San Francisco Bay America 250 Fireworks display will be held July 4, 2026, from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. (PDT). To ensure the safety of participants and spectators on San Francisco Bay, the US Coast Guard has enacted regulated areas (33 CFR 165.1191) and a safety zone which will be advertised by Local and Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM Channel 22A.
Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and law enforcement vessels will be patrolling the areas to ensure all America 250 fireworks events are conducted safely. Please continue to monitor VHF-FM Channel 22A for real-time updates of enforcement for specific zones.
FIREWORKS AREA CLOSURES
Golden Gate Bridge Safety Zone
Golden Gate Bridge Safety Zone
Golden Gate Bridge Safety Zone (37.817667N, -122.478333W) will cover all navigable waters in San Francisco Bay within a 1,200-foot radius of the Golden Gate Bridge during the fireworks display on July 4, 2026, from 9 p.m. until 10 p.m. local time. During the fireworks display, the Golden Gate Bridge Safety Zone will be closed to vessel traffic.
Golden Gate Barge Safety Zone and Pier 39 Barge Zone
Golden Gate Barge Safety Zone and Pier 39 Barge Zone
Golden Gate Barge Safety Zone (37.817442N, -122.465684W) and Pier 39 Barge Zone (37.814268N, -122.41706W) will cover all navigable waters in San Francisco Bay within a 1,200-yard radius of each Barge Zone during the fireworks display on July 4, 2026, from 9 p.m. until 10 p.m. local time.
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We hope you can hoist your sails and hoist your flag for the words and aspirations that lead the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The Bay is a great place to find freedom and happiness.
It’s a great summer weekend to be on the water anywhere along the California coastline. Send us a sailing photo of your Fourth of July weekend on San Diego Bay or Catalina, or in Marina del Rey, Morro Bay, Monterey Bay, San Francisco Bay or the Delta, or at Fort Bragg and the Mendocino coast. It’s a long coastline with plenty of room for sailing and celebration of the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary.
Be safe, mind the rules of the road, and have fun.