This is my fifth year living in Los Angeles, and I am a self-proclaimed firework hunter. Each year since I've moved in, I've found a new show to add to my firework tour.
This year I decided to make the most of Independence Day, which in L.A. should be deemed Independence Month. Fireworks are more than just fire in the sky; they represent freedom and they go off all month long. I wanted to take in as much freedom as I could, so I decided to hunt fireworks.
My first fourth in L.A. was probably five or six years ago. I remember being totally upset all day about not being next to a body of water for this holiday, which was my tradition since I was a child.
Once the day was done and the darkness settled, things changed. Fireworks were shot up from neighboring backyards. People were in the streets lighting their own fireworks bought from the local fireworks stand. The entire city lit up. It was quite incredible to see such a sight.
I wasn't used to seeing such a spectacle, since I grew up in Riverside where fireworks of any kind are banned. Here in L.A., I could turn in any direction to see a firework shot up in the sky. They went off for hours that night.
Little did I know that they were going off for the entire month before. This was the year I realized that Independence Day is my favorite holiday.
My hunting kicked off this year with Friday Night Lights at Dodgers Stadium. A night hike with my fellow firework hunters lead us to the top of Radio Hill, which oversees the backside of Dodgers Stadium. We were there for Friday Night Lights, which is the show Dodgers put on for Friday night home games.
The seven-minute show, sponsored by Denny's, was definitely better than the shows taking place throughout the cities, though the view wasn't. Friday Night Lights looked more like fire art than fireworks.
We hiked up to the top of Ascot Hills in El Serreno on Saturday. The hike up the steep hills is worth the phenomenal view overlooking the furthest corners of L.A.
We originally went to watch the El Serreno Park show from above, but the Saturday before the fourth is pretty busy for pyrotechnics. So many other shows took place in various cities along with solo booms coming from neighboring yards, and we could see them all.
It had to be the ultimate firework extravaganza, and that was only Saturday night.
Sunday was the show in East L.A., which is one of my favorite shows. Fireworks bang to the sounds of Bruce Springsteen "Born in USA," remixed with Cheech Marin's "Born in East LA."
Monday was our day off. We needed to breathe between shows, and the closest show was at Disneyland. But that doesn't mean we're through hunting.
The Hollywood Bowl is doing two nights of fireworks, and I'll be there for the first. Tuesday we'll be at the Hollywood Bowl overlook off of Mulholland Drive. It usually gets pretty crowded, so we'll be showing up early to get a good spot. I missed it last year looking for parking.
For Independence Day Eve, we'll ride our bikes down the Los Angeles River bike path to watch the Cudahy Park show from the riverbed. Being my favorite show, the feeling of fireworks exploding right above my head is exhilarating.
Each show is special in its own way, and I'm always looking for a new show to add. Chasing fireworks for my favorite holiday makes the unbearable heat worth it.
LOS ANGELES LOOKOUT: Lights twinkle throughout Los
Angeles as darkness settles in the city on Saturday from Ascot Hills.
BOOM, BOOM, POW: Fireworks light up the sky in East Los Angeles at the civic center as the scent of tacos and sulfur linger in the air. 
UP TOP: Los Angeles lights up on Friday night from Radio Hill in Elysian Park.
FEEL THE BANG: The firework show from East L.A. on Sunday night.
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