Vantage points to watch fireworks on the 4th (Vallejo, Marina: house, rich)

[Laocoön]

What are our options, realistically, for viewing Fourth of July fireworks from Mt. Davidson, Twin Peaks, or some other salient point? Anyone in the know or that has done this who might comment on when to arrive, where to park, how to get there, etc.? For that matter, what time are the fireworks scheduled to go off that day/evening, and from where will they be launched (what direction do we need to be facing)?

As yet another option, what types of options are available for chartering a boat out on the bay that evening to view fireworks?

[Vallejo2Oakland]

The fireworks over the Bay are generally launched from barges in the Bay and go just about straight up from the barge.

Vantage points can be dicey, mainly depending on the weather - it seems the 4th of July is almost certainly a cursed event here in the Bay Area - it can be clear, lovely weather for week and then at mid-day on July 4th - the obligatory blanket of PeaSoup fog envelopes the Bay.

The other reason for dicey view is the sheer number of people who will also be trying to find a vantage point. Some good options are:

In the City: Anywhere in the Russian Hill / Marina that is up high
Coit Tower (however, you would have to walk up as parking is non-existant)

Outside of the City: IF you can get to Treasure Island, that would be a good viewing spot (bascially right under the fireworks)
Marin Headlands (up near the old army battery would be nice
Tiburon / Belvedere (although the rich folks get persnickety when people infringe on their public sidewalks)

Other options:

Many municipalities have their own (smaller) fireworks shows - e.g., Vallejo has two shows, one at the Waterfront and then one at Discovery Kingdom (Six Flags) - I used to watch the fireworks at Discovery Kingdom from the roof of our house in Vallejo, it was great - no worries about parking, unruly, drunken crowds, and the like!

Best of luck -