Watching Holiday Bowl Parade from Waterfront Park: What to Know
The County’s Waterfront Park downtown is a prime vantage point for what is billed as the largest balloon parade in America, so if you’re planning on making it your base, here are some things to know.
The Port of San Diego’s Holiday Bowl Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27 on the bay side of the Waterfront Park outside the County Administration Center. The balloons, marching bands and more will head south along Harbor Drive and finish at the corner of Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway near Seaport Village.
The Port of San Diego expects more than 100,000 visitors to line the parade route so parking will be at a premium.
If you plan to make the Waterfront Park your viewing spot, here are some tips to keep in mind.
- Consider taking public transportation.The County Center/Little Italy trolley stop is located one block east of the Waterfront Park.
- Starting at 7:45 a.m., segments of Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway will be closed.
- The grandstand and television coverage area will limit parade viewing on the park’s extreme southwest corner.
- No alcohol or smoking (including e-cigarettes) is allowed
- Glass is not permitted
- Barbecuing is not permitted
- Feel free to bring picnics, lawn chairs, sunscreen, blankets and canopies
The fountains will be running from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Waterfront Park closes at 10 p.m.
For more information about parks, visit sdparks.org or if you need more specific information about the Waterfront Park, call its office at (619) 232-PARK (7275).