The Wilkas Group » Foster City 4th of July

The 4th of July and Foster City is Where You Want to Be: 2011

lenorewilkas — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:00:05 +0000

It’s supposed to warm on the 4th of July this year.

I’ll believe it when it happens. We see so few truly warm 4th of July’s that yes, I am a skeptic. I’m entitled to be since I am a native and I know…. But, they’re saying it will be clear and warm. They were right about the unseasonal rains this week so perhaps this will be right, too.

Foster City does a bang up job of celebrating the 4th of July starting with a pancake breakfast provided by Island United Church between 8AM and 11:30 AM, carnival rides for the kids, a parades for the family at 11 AM and dog show after that at 2 PM. There are arts and crafts and family games. At the Amphitheater you’ll find live music starting at 11:45 with a family concert by Andy Z – Rock ‘n Roll by The Houserockers between 4:15 and 5:45 PM and ending with a concert by Livin’ in the USA from 7 to 9:15 PM. You don’t need to bring a picnic with you since the Lion’s Club will cooking a BBQ dinner between 11:30 AM and 9 PM. A nice way to donate to these groups and fill your family’s tummies, too.

I know you’ll smile looking at the patriotic group from last year’s parade sporting red, white and blue! This is what makes Foster City a great place to live and to be on the 4th of July.

Top the day off with the only fireworks show in the County of San Mateo!

It’s bound to be a great day. Once evening comes get ready for a great fireworks show that starts right at 9:30 PM, once it’s dark. I took these photos from the water but you will get a great view anywhere near the lake, on the grass at Leo Ryan Park, from Catamaran Park, or lined up along the Shell Blvd. bridge (if you’re careful that is since cars can drive across the bridge at that point). There are restrictions on where you can watch with some homeowner’s associations.

Don’t get caught short this year.

I have one word of caution for you this year if you must drive to see the fireworks. There will be a $10 charge for parking your car in the Parkside Tower garage at Shell and E. Hillsdale Blvd. Handicap parking is always free and will be at the Library lot across from Parkside Tower. This parking fee is to offset the cost of providing the only fireworks between San Francisco and Mountain View so please don’t complain! It’s expensive to put on a fireworks show and someone has to pay for it in these dire times so a cost of $10 is pretty fair, don’t you agree? Plan to come early to get your money’s worth, get a good parking spot and enjoy the day. And, if you think you’ll be able to avoid the fee by parking near Safeway, think again. Foster City’s finest is going to enforce limited parking in that lot. You can park for no longer than one hour while you are shopping or eating at the center. If you over stay the hour, be prepared for a ticket and it will cost a lot more than 10 bucks.

Have a safe and sane 4th of July. Please,don’t buy fireworks of your own and don’t shoot them off on your own. It’s dangerous and silly to do when you can see a first rate show right here in Foster City. Come and support the local organizations who provide the food, fun and activities. Please allow for plenty of time to exit the parking garage after the fireworks and go home. I know it can be exasperating for many with only a few ways in and out of Foster City. Allow extra time going home and you’ll have a lovely evening.

Want to move to Foster City? Here are some of the homes for sale. We’re happy to show them to you.

Showing properties 1 - 21 of 21. See more city of Foster City real estate.
(all data current as of 2/12/2012)

$539,000 : 880 Carina Ln, Foster City

2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,546 sq ft

Lot size: 840 sq ft
$699,950 : 1423 Marlin Av, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,530 sq ft

Lot size: 1,757 sq ft
$1,179,000 : 269 Avocet Ct, Foster City

5 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 2,690 sq ft

Lot size: 6,630 sq ft
$369,000 : 625 Portofino Ln, Foster City

2 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,395 sq ft
$675,000 : 740 Promontory Point Ln #3304, Foster City

2 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,980 sq ft
$869,000 : 632 Matsonia Dr, Foster City

4 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,760 sq ft

Lot size: 5,320 sq ft
$415,000 : 820 Sea Spray Ln #108, Foster City

2 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,233 sq ft
$999,990 : 850 Gull Av, Foster City

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,160 sq ft

Lot size: 5,320 sq ft
$1,529,000 : 1001 Monterey Av, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,170 sq ft

Lot size: 8,540 sq ft
$640,000 : 1082 Gull Av, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,460 sq ft

Lot size: 1,757 sq ft
$329,900 : 8209 Admiralty Ln, Foster City

2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 998 sq ft
$244,500 : 3106 Admiralty Ln, Foster City

1 bed, 1 full bath

Home size: 748 sq ft
$975,000 : 54 Port Royal Av, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,890 sq ft

Lot size: 6,798 sq ft
$652,000 : 1117 Outrigger Ln, Foster City

3 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 1,540 sq ft

Lot size: 974 sq ft
$255,000 : 7202 Admiralty Ln, Foster City

2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 998 sq ft
$506,902 : 126 Albacore Ln, Foster City

2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,370 sq ft

Lot size: 1,875 sq ft
$1,189,000 : 760 Coronado Ln, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 2,110 sq ft

Lot size: 4,857 sq ft
$360,000 : 661 Portofino Ln, Foster City

2 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,395 sq ft

Lot size: 1 sq ft
$439,900 : 2213 Admiralty Ln, Foster City

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,505 sq ft
$849,000 : 921 Swan St, Foster City

5 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 2,540 sq ft

Lot size: 5,700 sq ft
$499,000 : 764 Comet Dr, Foster City

2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 980 sq ft

Lot size: 1,955 sq ft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Foster City’s 4th of July Fireworks is a Great Show, But There are Other Good Places, too

lenorewilkas — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:42:01 +0000

Saturday is the Fourth of July, the birthday of our country, and always a fun-filled day for families and friends. Foster City offers a day of fun beginning with a pancake breakfast and ending with a great fireworks display.

The city has parking set up in several places, and it’s all free. If you are coming only for the fireworks, plan ahead since they generally go off around 9:15PM. Free parking is available in the large parking structure behind the office plaza at East Hillsdale Blvd and Shell Blvd. There will be plenty of signs directing you where to park. If you have a handicap sticker or plackert you can park in the lots behind the library or city hall. Where you may not park is by Safeway unless you want a parking ticket. That lot is private is reserved for customers of Safeway and Longs as well as the other businesses in that shopping center.

Bring a blanket, warm jackets, a picknick dinner and plan on enjoying the fireworks from the Leo Ryan Park. Catamaran Park, a place often used by many locals to watch the fireworks is closed as they are making dramatic changes in the soccer field. If you can get to the walkway along the waterfront, you can see the fireworks from there, but otherwise, find another place and the best place is at Leo Ryan Park or by the Park & Rec building on Shell Blvd.

Fireworks are also going to go off at the Port of Redwood City around 9:30PM. Plan on getting down there early for parking. The oldest parade on the Peninsula takes place on the 4th of July in downtown Redwood City. Come and enjoy the 71st annual 4th of July Parade downtown Redwood City. This parade has been a 4th of July feature for years but originally began in 1887! When I was a child I remember going to see it and then going to see the rodeo that used to be held there as well, but the rodeo is long gone. If you want to see a rodeo you’ll need to travel down to Salinas for that.

Both Foster City and Redwood City’s fireworks displays are FREE. If you don’t mind paying, head to Shoreline in Mountain View and enjoy the San Francisco Symphony and Radio Disney as well as their fireworks displays. That show begins at 5 PM. Tickets are available online.

The weather is likely to be foggy in the City and if you don’t mind fog head to San Francisco to see the fireworks over the Bay. This is always a fabulous show and if you BART it up to the City, you won’t have to fight for parking around the Embarcadero.

Foster City will likely be cool for fireworks. Redwood City should be a little bit warmer and it will likely be beautiful down in Mountain View. We’re so lucky to be able to pick our weather for activities and Saturday will certainly be no exception. Have fun, enjoy the fireworks and plan to bring friends and family with you. Remember, it is against the law to shoot off fireworks in almost every city of San Mateo County.

Fireworks in San Mateo County. Where to See them and should you be able to buy them?

lenorewilkas — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 05:25:16 +0000

Central San Mateo County offers a couple of places to see great fireworks shows on the fourth of July. Foster City has a full day of Fourth of July activities beginning with a pancake breakfast and running through to the fireworks display in the Leo Ryan Park lake. Hillsdale Blvd. and Shell Blvd. are closed all day to allow for foot traffic. It’s a great show and worth the traffic to go see it.

Redwood City has had a Fourth of July Parade for as long as I can remember. Great fun for the entire family and it’s held downtown in the morning. They too have a wonderful fireworks display done in the harbor area. If you find the right location in the hills you can see both Foster City and Redwood City fireworks in secession.

If you’re out on the coast, Half Moon Bay has a Fourth of July Parade and a fireworks display in the evening. Great fun sitting on the beach watching this if the skys are clear.

With one of the driest years in a while California is a tinderbox and it is amazing that fireworks are still be sold anywhere in the state. Somehow San Bruno thinks they are able to sell them without repercussion. I was in the San Mateo Target last week and they, too, are selling fireworks. What’s up with this? We know these are dangerous so why doesn’t the state ban them? I think it’s time to have our legislators submit a bill to outlaw fireworks except for public displays. What do you think? If you agree, write your Assemblyman and State Senator. Maybe we can make change here and stop the severe injuries that occur around the Fourth, let alone the fires.