It starts every year on July 4th morning – indecision about where to watch the fireworks. The default for me is Twin Peaks or Tank Hill, where we can see the sky blooming from a distance and the city below. But today, we decided to get closer in, so we drove down, in the nick of time, to the Marina. It was crowded, of course, but we maneuvered into a parking spot that was out of the way if not entirely legal.
People were double and triple-parked; it didn’t matter, we were all there for the same thing. We were all waiting for darkness to fall over the Bay. The Coit Tower was lit in red, white and blue. Across the Bay, Sausalito’s display started.
Then there was the first boom! and a fire-flower appeared. Everyone started to move eastward to get closer. I joined them; a street-lamp where I stood was messing up my pictures. I passed a beacon flashing white, and then found a good vantage point.
All around me, people were taking photographs, many with iPads or smartphones, and a few with cameras mounted on tripods.
I like this picture. It’s such a classic fireworks display shot, but it captures some of the wonder of these night-blooming sky-flowers. And here it is closer up.
The smiley-faces came out beautifully, with no wind to blow them around.
This one reminded me of a bit from old poem: “lily cups… those flowers made of light…” These literally were.
The grand finale was an extended burst of red white and blue. Everyone cheered.
Hope you all had a happy 4th!
FOREST KNOLLS NEIGHBORHOOD 
Yes a perfect San Francisco evening – I worked there corner of Hyde and Beach Street finally packed up at 9:30 – typical SF beauty – the fog and winnow blustered – my hat kept trying to blow off then it calmed and presented the clear skies and Bay –
wonderful! thanks for posting. we made do with the mini displays over GG park and the richmond. it was amazing, having such a clear and not-windy night.
Thank you for posting, these are lovely photos.