Tahoe.com Staff, 8:23am, 6/25/2012

Come for the action, stay for the fireworks!

The July 4th fireworks extravaganza is one of the most popular Independence Day celebrations in the West with 100,000 plus onlookers. The event has received national media exposure in USA Today, Travel & Leisure and ForbesTraveler.com as one of the nation’s top Fourth of July festivities. This annual family tradition is choreographed to music and broadcast on local radio stations KRLT-FM 93.9 and KOWL-AM 1490. The fireworks are launched from offshore barges and can be seen from all corners of town. South Shore offers convenient access to viewing areas via public transportation, paved bike trails, and nearby park and walk venues.

Fireworks shows by region – Study up on Lake Tahoe regions

Kings Beach Fireworks
The Kings Beach fireworks and deck party is held at the North Tahoe Event Center. For information call 530-546-9000.

Incline Village Fireworks
Viewing is easy from any of the beaches as the barge is usually off Incline Beach. Pick your favorite spot and spend the day with family, friends or neighbors and then stay for the most spectacular fireworks sponsored by the Red, White and Tahoe Blue committee. It is one of the favorites on the lake.

Tahoe City Fireworks
On Commons Beach in downtown Tahoe City. Arrive early to picnic, meet friends and neighbors and stay for the spectacular fireworks.

Truckee 4th of July Fireworks
Donner Lake, West End Beach. Dusk. Purchase tickets from Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District. www.tdrpd.com or 530-582-7720

South Lake Tahoe — Lights on the Lake
The Lights on the Lake fireworks show is full of great vantage points. We have a few extra creative places to view this show:

• For the water bound: South Lake Tahoe’s Tahoe Queen and M.S. Dixie II, both offer dining/viewing packages.
• For the landlocked: Nevada Beach State Park has a soft, sandy shoreline equipped with barbecues and picnic tables.
• For the super-seat-savers: Regan and El Dorado Beaches offer front-row seating that fills up fast.
• For families: Bijou Community Park is set back from the shoreline and boasts many amenities such as a skate park, disc golf course, dog park, golf course and playground.
• For east bay viewers: The Tallac Historic Site, off Emerald Bay Road, has an east-view perspective with nearby Baldwin Beach and its picnic tables.
• For the best view: For the more adventurous, hike to the top of Mount Tallac for a bird’s eye view of the fireworks extravaganza, but don’t forget your headlamp for the trek back down.