It is easy to stick close to home, and have a great celebration on the 4th. Here is a quick list of local events:

Oakland
Art Murmur | First Fridays Art Walk
12 noon to 9 PM
If you want to enjoy some art on your way to the fireworks!

Jack London Square July 4th Celebration
11 AM to 4 PM
Free interactive activities and performers including an Uncle Sam stilt walker, jugglers, magicians, hula hoopers, clowns and puppeteers, interactive river environments, petting zoos, the Lego jeep, Kinetic Art face painters, a mobile craft workshop, performances by Dance A Vision and Oakland Jazz Workshop and more. Followed by:

Jack London Square 4th of July Cruise
7:30 to 10:30 PM
An explosive evening of champagne, dessert and fabulous fireworks while cruising on the San Francisco Bay.

Piedmont
49th Annual 4th of July Parade
11 AM to 12:30
Starts at the corner of Highland Avenue and Park Way
Expect classic cars, cute dogs, bagpipes and plenty of neighborhood entries. The parade ends in Piedmont Park with a giant community picnic where Dave Martin’s House Party will play a free concert.

Emeryville
4th of July Park Party & Fireworks Hot Spot
4 to 8:30 PM
An old-fashioned 4th of July party in the park: picnics, live music, food vendors, and games. Stay after 8:30 to witness the many firework displays visible from Emeryville’s Marina Park.

Berkeley
4th of July at the Berkeley Marina
Noon to 10 PM, live entertainment, food, crafts, dragon boat rowing, pony rides, carnival rides, and grand fireworks starting at 9:35 PM

Alameda
4th of July Parade
10 AM Park Street
The Alameda 4th of July Parade is the one of the longest Independence Day parades in the nation with over 170 floats and 2,500 participants that travel a three mile route.

County Fair
11 AM to 11 PM
Spend the day at the fair, and stay for the firework display.

El Cerrito
worldOne 4th of July Festival
10 AM to 7 PM
Live entertainment, Children’s fun area with carnival games, jump houses and rides, Arts and crafts vendors, Food vendors, and booths by local business and service groups.

Concord
4th of July Parade, Festival & Fireworks
8 AM 5K Run, 10 AM Parade, Festival 4 PM, and Fireworks 9 PM
Diablo High School
The festival includes kids carnival, food booths, vendor exhibits, and live entertainment.

Pleasant Hill
4th of July Parade, Festival & Fireworks
9:30 AM to 10 PM
A traditional patriotic parade through the downtown Crescent Drive area, family fun and games in Pleasant Hill Park, and live music and fireworks in the evening at College Park High School.

Fremont
Watermelon Seed Spitting & Tug Of War
10 AM to 4 PM
Games, contests and races all day long. Test your skill at nail-driving, egg toss and watermelon seed spitting, or join a bucket brigade and tug-of-war contest.

Benicia
Picnic in the Park & Waterfront Fireworks Show
Noon to 10 PM
Benicia’s City Park is filled with arts and crafts, delicious hot food, live entertainment and children’s activities. Fireworks start about 9 p.m. at the foot of First Street

Martinez
Hometown 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks
8 AM to 10 PM
Featuring a Pancake Breakfast and a Hometown Parade along Main Street, after which you can hang out with your family, then come back for fireworks at dusk over the waterfront.