Where to Buy Fireworks in San Francisco Bay Area (2023)
Don’t let the rocket’s red glare get you this Fourth of July weekend by not doing your homework on state and local regulations concerning legal and illegal fireworks.
Though the state of California allows for the sale of so-called “safe and sane” fireworks (like cone fountains, hand-held sparklers and smoke items – anything that that doesn’t fly or explode), residents are still subject to local restrictions, which may be even more stringent. Here is an example of what is sold in California which are typically restricted to sparklers and ground fireworks.
And of course, don’t be an idiot. Don’t use fireworks near any brush or where there is even the slightest risk of something catching fire and don’t transport your fireworks across city lines to places where they are banned.
Where Fireworks are Banned
Bay Area residents need to be extra careful, as most cities, including San Mateo, Redwood City Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco, have banned fireworks all together. So even if you buy them legally in another city, it is typically illegal to transport them back to your city and set them off.
Where you can Buy Legal Fireworks
There is now only one major company that operate fireworks stands in the few Bay Area cities that allow their sale. Find Bay Area Fireworks Stands: TNT Fireworks
For 2023 you can buy fireworks Pacifica, San Bruno, Union City*, Newark, Dublin, Suisun City, Watsonville*, Gilroy*, Tracey, Stockton, Cloverdale*
* opening July 1, 2023
Where Fireworks are Allowed | Bay Area – see full list of cities
Among the 297 communities allowing “safe and sane” fireworks sales in California. But please note that each community may have their own guidelines and things can change if there’s drought conditions.
Alameda County
- Dublin
- Newark
- Union City
Napa County
St. Helena– No longer on list as of 2020San Benito County
- Hollister
- San Juan Bautista
- San Benito County
San Mateo County
- Pacifica
- San Bruno
Santa Clara County
- Gilroy
Santa Cruz County
- Watsonville
Solano County
- Dixon
- Rio Vista
- Suisun City
Sonoma County
- Cloverdale
Petaluma– No Longer on list as of 2020Rohnert Park– No longer on list as of 2021Sebastopol– No longer on list as of 2021>> Full list of 297 communities allowing sale of fireworks in California (last updated 5/31/23)
