Advertisement
California

Photos: Star spangled return of the 4th of July in Southern California

Lifeguards in a tower watch a shower of purple and yellow sparks from fireworks
Huntington Beach lifeguards watch the fireworks display over the pier on July 4, 2021.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
By PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALLEN J. SCHABEN with NICK AGRO

With a lifting of restrictions the Southland saw a return of crowds and festivities on the beaches as fireworks lighted up the night sky. Another signal of California’s continuing steps to normality.

Four people wearing overalls in U.S. flag colors walk down a bike path
Fourth of July revelers in Huntington Beach arrive to wait for the fireworks display.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A smiling man stands on the sand with a U.S. flag and other people in the background
The Espinoza, Vazquez and Romero families of Fallbrook grill tacos on the beach beneath their flag as they await the fireworks show over the ocean on July 4, 2021, in Huntington Beach.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A woman in a red, white and blue bikini throws a green frisbee to a man in a colorful shirt on the beach
Maria Bayona of Culver City throws a frisbee to Chris Brault of Tempe, Ariz., near Santa Monica Pier during Independence Day celebrations on July 4, 2021.
(Nick Agro / For The Times)
Advertisement
A big U.S. flag flies near a gathering on the beach
Families gather to celebrate July Fourth in Huntington Beach.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A beachgoer with a cape in U.S. flag colors stands on the sand looking out toward waves
A beachgoer during Independence Day celebrations at Santa Monica Pier.
(Nick Agro / For The Times )
A man wearing shorts in U.S. flag colors holds his ankle with one hand near people dancing on a lawn
People dance and listen to a band during a festival at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach on July 4, 2021.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A view of a lifeguard tower with a flag and a Ferris wheel
Santa Monica Pier’s Ferris wheel, as seen on July 4, 2021.
(Nick Agro / For The Times )
A silhouette of a person and lifeguard tower with orange sparks from fireworks against an evening sky
Huntington Beach lifeguards watch the fireworks on July 4, 2021.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
People on the beach and in the water near a Ferris wheel and pier
Crowds gather around the Santa Monica Pier’s Ferris wheel as it is lighted up for the Independence Day celebrations on July 4, 2021.
(Nick Agro / For The Times )
Advertisement
A woman and a man look up. In the background is a Ferris wheel lighted up in red, white and blue and other people.
Crowds gather on Santa Monica Pier, near the Ferris wheel, which is lighted up for Independence Day celebrations on July 4, 2021.
(Nick Agro / For The Times)
Two people sitting at a lifeguard tower watch a shower of pink and orange sparks from fireworks over the ocean
Huntington Beach lifeguards take in the fireworks display above the pier on July 4, 2021.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

More visual journalism from the Los Angeles Times.

More to Read

California
Allen J. Schaben

Los Angeles Times staff photographer Allen J. Schaben is an award-winning journalist capturing a wide range of images over the past 34 years. Before joining The Times, he honed his craft at the Detroit Free Press, Dallas Morning News, Wichita Eagle and Connecticut Post. Schaben earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1993.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Most Read in California

Advertisement