July 4th Road Closures In Berkeley. What To Know

BERKELEY, CA — Berkeley officials say they're closing off multiple streets for 24 hours on July 4 to keep the city safe during the United States 250th anniversary celebration.

Grizzly Peak Boulevard, from Centennial Drive to Skyline Boulevard, Panoramic Way and Prospect Street will be limited to residents in cars, bikes or on foot starting at 4 a.m. on Saturday.

Access to one of the best views in Berkeley, Grizzly Peak, will be completely closed, unless people can prove they live on the following streets:

• Centennial Drive, between Stadium Rim Way and Grizzly Peak Boulevard
• Claremont Avenue, Fish Ranch Road, and Grizzly Peak Boulevard
• Lomas Cantadas and Grizzly Peak Boulevard
• South Park and Grizzly Peak Boulevard
• Skyline Boulevard and Grizzly Peak Boulevard

Lawrence Hall of Science, the UC Botanical Garden and UC Berkeley campus hiking trails, the Steam Trains and the south end of Tilden Regional Park will also be closed, city officials said.

The closures are enacted to reduce both fire risk and traffic congestion, officials said.

"Fireworks are illegal in Berkeley and many surrounding cities," city officials said. "They can cause severe injuries and start fires. Explosives, sparklers, and other fireworks pose particular risks in the hills, where dry plants and shrubs can fuel fast-spreading fires."

City officials took the opportunity to remind the public that fireworks marketed as "safe and sane" are also illegal in Berkeley and East Bay Regional Parks, including Tilden Regional Park and McLaughlin Eastshore State Park.

"You may be responsible for fires, injuries, and property damage caused by your fireworks," officials said. "If you have or find fireworks, bring them to personnel at any Berkeley Fire Station for safe disposal."

This year, San Francisco will celebrate the United States 250th anniversary with a rare fireworks show over the Golden Gate Bridge.