From beach to Bird Rock, holiday revelers flocked to La Jolla, with public safety leaders noting a “successful” long weekend.
Independence Day in La Jolla was a combination platter of patriotism and summer fun. From parades to beaches to drones, some of the busiest crowds descended on several La Jolla beaches for the entirety of the long weekend, July 3-5.
La Jolla beaches were “crazy crowded,” San Diego lifeguard Lt John Maher said, noting that officials counted 1.6 million people across the city of San Diego beaches (Torrey Pines Beach south through Ocean Beach and Mission Bay). La Jolla-specific numbers were not immediately available.
Lifeguards across the city made 290 water rescues and 429 enforcement contacts but the most impressive number, Maher said, is the 97,227 preventative actions over the three-day weekend.
These 97,227 actions prevented many more water rescues, he said, due to lifeguards “getting ahead” of dangerous circumstances.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s Lifeguards Division doubled and increased staffing at many towers and stations, Maher said, allowing the lifeguards more capability.
Also aiding a relatively safe weekend: an inconsistent south swell with long lulls between sets.
“Fortunately, waves were relatively small,” Maher said, adding that the larger waves were concentrated at Windansea Beach.
The long weekend “went really well,” San Diego police Lt John White said. A few incidents were handled swiftly, attributed to the department’s large presence at Marine Street Beach and other La Jolla hotspots.
The devotion of police resources made sure “everyone was able to enjoy the beaches,” White said.
White expressed gratitude to the revelers who behaved responsibly and with patience. “We really appreciated it,” he said. “They made it successful.”
Many converged in Bird Rock the morning of July 4 for the 47th annual Beaumont Avenue Fourth of July Parade. Themed “Stars, Stripes and 250 Years of American Icons,” the well-loved tradition, watched by groups of patriotically-dressed people in front of well-decorated houses, saw entrants from Bird Rock Twirl, local scout troops, La Jolla Youth baseball, local dog groups and others.
Captain America also appeared per usual, along with floats dedicated to American icons like Rosie the Riveter, football, the Declaration of Independence and more.
The parade ended with the traditional gathering of live music, food and kids’ entertainment behind the La Jolla United Methodist Church on Mira Monte.
At the end of the night, while the La Jolla Country Club fireworks flashed in the distance, the fourth annual drone show – dubbed the “La Jolla Sky Show” – wowed the crowds at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and across La Jolla Shores Beach and Kellogg Park.
Launching from the LJBTC, the 500 drones took on patriotic and marine shapes, casting a neon glow across the water, capping off America’s 250th birthday.
