Happy 4th of July! To end my week of favorite summer activities, I’m posting my favorite place to see fireworks. Some years I’m not up for a big party, I want a quiet evening of fireworks. When that’s the case I take a friend or two to the rooftop of the Universal Studios parking garage. I’ve only watched from the Eastern structure, but I’m sure the Western would be good also. You can see a number of official displays: Studio City, Burbank, Hansen Dam, San Fernando, and Woodland Hills, not to mention all the illegal ones. They won’t be huge and right above you, but I love seeing them pop up over the shimmering lights of the valley.

There are others who know this little secret, but you won’t have to fight huge crowds. I like to get there early and grab dinner at City Walk. I make sure I’m on the roof by 8:30 to get a nice spot along the wall (FYI, security will be there watching, so no alcohol or illegal substances). Once the show is over, I like to go back down and catch a movie. So that is my secret for a chill 4th of July. This pains me to share because I don’t want it to become overly crowded, but you want tell anyone right?

These are some of my sad attempts to photograph fireworks on my dinky digital camera from the Universal rooftop.

-Kim