Here’s some fun Fourth of July spots to celebrate Independence Day with friends & family, eat BBQ, corn on the cob, watermelon, sip festive drinks and watch fireworks:

First ever 4th of July celebration at Universal Studios Hollywood!

Celebrate Independence Day like never before at Universal Studios Hollywood’s first ever salute to the stars and stripes, featuring a spectacular firework show. Fill your day with thrills, heart-pounding rides, shows and attractions. Enjoy holiday-themed décor, food, and special character interactions. And keep the fun going into the evening with a dazzling display of fireworks synchronized to Universal-themed music and patriotic favorites. Festivities included with the price of General Admission.

July Fourth Party at Skyspace 

Take a Skyslide ride while watching fireworks all across Los Angeles from 1,000 feet in the air. There will be a live DJ, all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet, plus two drink tickets for $75 a person. Seniors pay $70 and youth $45. The fun begins at 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. 633 W. 5th St. (213)894-9000.

Fourth of July BBQ at Hotel Shangri-La

The art-deco hotel in Santa Monica is hosting a family-fun pool party with barbecue fare on July 4. Starting at noon, the grill will be fired up for build-your-own Kobe beef burgers, marinated flank steak, chicken breasts, hot dogs, and vegetable skewers. There will be corn on the cob, guacamole, and homemade potato chips. The party will last in The Courtyard until 6 p.m. Guests not staying at the hotel can purchase a pool day pass for $25 and spend a minimum of $25 per person on food and beverage. 1301 Ocean Ave. (310)394-2791.

Summer Menu at Messhall Kitchen

Sit out on the large outdoor patio on Thursday, July 4 for the festive brunch menu, plus the chefs will barbecue chicken, smoke rib eyes, pull pork, grill baby back ribs and hot links. Sides include cheddar scallion mashed, mac-n-cheese, pit baked beans, Cole slaw and rolls. On Saturday, July 6 come in to celebrate National Fried Chicken Day with biscuits. Throughout the summer Park & Dine is available for those going to the Greek Theatre.The restaurant offers 40 Park & Dine reservations each night before a show. Make a reservation to park your car in the Messhall lot for $8 and you will receive a $10 credit redeemable towards your meal or cocktails that night. The bill must have a minimum purchase of $30. After dinner walk or take an Uber to the theatre. 4500 Los Feliz Blvd. (323)660-6377.

Cheers with Red, White & Boom Rum Punch with Fireworks 

Celebrate Thursday, July 4 to Castaway in Burbank with an all-American buffet and 180 degree firework viewing. Executive chef Perry Pollaci and his team are barbecuing Berkshire ribs, Wagyu sliders, grilling Pasture Bird chicken and Ora King Salmon, Kobe hot dogs, raw bar, charcuterie and cheese, a variety of salads and a selection of desserts to share around the table. Listen to live music while sipping creative drink specials including “Red, White & Boom” rum punch and buckets of beer. Families enjoying this buffet dinner sitting inside or out on the outdoor gazebo courtyard is $79 per person. Children ages 12 and under are $35 each in these areas of the restaurant. Adults and over 12 years may visit the buffet and chose the firepit/lounge area, outside patio, and window seating at $99 per person. Reservations are strongly recommended. 1250 E. Harvard Rd., Burbank (818)848-6691.

Firework viewing at The Rooftop by JG 

Come to the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills to celebrate a special Fourth of July menu and fireworks with rooftop views, a live DJ, and special beverages. The Rooftop by JG opens at 5:30 p.m., and offers a special Maine lobster roasted in the shell with corn and smoked chili-almond emulsion. After 7 p.m., reservations require a $100 food and beverage minimum per person. A live DJ will be on the rooftop from 7 to 11 p.m. For those staying overnight, the rooftop pool is open for guests to enjoy snacks and a cash bar while viewing fireworks. At the main Jean Georges Beverly Hills in addition to the regular menu, there are two dinner specials including glazed short rib served with potato puree, and a warm cherry pie served with a scoop of almond milk sorbet. During dineLA starting on July 12, guests have the opportunity to taste a three-course Asian and French-American meal during lunch for $35 per person. The dine LA dinner features roasted salmon and parmesan-crusted organic chicken for $59 per person. 9850 Wilshire Blvd. (310)860-6566.

City Sparkle for three nights at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown 

Enjoy the sparkling Fourth of July weekend tasting menu at La Boucherie curated by Chef Igor Krichmar. Seatings are available at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., with a six-course ‘Sparkling’ tasting menu for $165+ per person. Add an additional $85+ for wine pairing. Enjoy complimentary access to the rooftop soiree at Spire 73 after dinner. The tallest open-air rooftop bar in Los Angeles will have a live resident DJ, festive cocktails, and creative appetizers. On July 4 Spire 73 is hosting a ‘Jack Daniel’s Party in the U.S.A.’  from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. On July 5 the ‘Red, White & Ice Party’ featuring Moët Ice & Grey Goose’ begins at 4 p.m. Join the fun on July 6 during the ‘Clicquot & Constellations’ party featuring Veuve Clicquot & Magdala’ starting at noon. Tickets for this are $10 before 8 p.m. and $20 after 8 p.m. There is bottle service available. Go to Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/see-the-city-sparkle-spire-73-july-4th-celebration-tickets-62608344243. 900 Wilshire Blvd. (213)688-7777.

Box o’ BAO on Fourth of July 

Bao Hiroo makes a party box of traditional Chinese steamed and stuffed buns. This innovative concept features unique flavors, crafted with homemade dough. Boxes to-go feed four to six people, and include 8 steamed Bao, four sweet Bao, and a side of slaw for $52. Come in for their daily Happy Hour for a $4 bag of Bao, $4 fries, $ draft or $5 glass of wine. 905 E 2nd St #109 (213)395-0626.

Build your own Ice cream Sundae

Hotel guests at The Garland on the Fourth of July can enjoy watching a classic dive-in poolside movie, and build ice cream sundaes with unlimited toppings from 3 to 8 p.m. Starting at 3 p.m., indulge in an all-American BBQ with grilled burgers and hot dogs. Non-guests can enjoy an al fresco dinner on the patio at The Front Yard. 4222 Vineland Ave. (818)255-7290.

Enjoy a Fourth of July picnic from Tocaya Organica 

The organic menu appeals to those who chose to be vegan vegetarian, KETO and are gluten-free. Order in or pick up and take your healthy fare to the beach, outdoor concert and firework viewing spot. Protein and dairy can be added to each traditional Mexican recipe based on each diners needs. Tocaya Organica now offers a watermelon and heirloom tomato salad; Zuma tacos with watermelon citrus slaw; and tomatillo shrimp that can be added as a protein to any salad, bowl, burrito or taco. Seasonal aqua frescos include watermelon, cucumber mint and strawberry basil. 8500 Beverly Blvd. (424)285-6080, 6550 Sunset Blvd. (323)472-5802, 8720 W. Sunset Blvd. (424) 288-4871, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. (424)255-6956, 801 S. Olive St. (213)262-1805, 507 Wilshire Blvd.(424)268-8219 and 4303 W. Riverside Drive (818)641-1921. 

Golden Road Brewery Beer Can Derby

Come into the Golden Road Atwater Village Pub to pick up a beer can derby starter kit. Inside are wheels, framing, axles, and an empty Golden Road can. Get creative for this second annual event on Sunday, July 7. The grand prize for the best derby beer can will receive beer for a year, a Golden Road merchandise gift bag, a $100 pub gift card, $100 to the charity of your choosing and a trophy. 5410 W. San Fernando Road. (213)373-4677.