Do you know any good places to watch fireworks?

Mountain View, CA: Where are the best places to watch the fireworks at Shoreline without being at Shoreline?

• I want to watch the fireworks but not pay to go see the symphony. Most of that area is closed. Is there another good place to watch them?

• Answer:

  There are lots of good places around the amphitheater to see the fireworks. There should be plenty of open / walkable areas at the end of Shoreline as it goes into the bayside park, and you can probably get a good view as far out as the Stevens Creek trail (once you get past the Google buildings on Crittenden Lane). We watched from a spot on the hill between those buildings and Shoreline one year, it was pretty good. A word of caution though - I wouldn't try to drive there, at least not anywhere close to the start of the fireworks. It's a mess, parking is limited, and every year I've gone I've seen a lot of people in their cars stuck in traffic as the fireworks start going off. Getting out is similarly messy if you're closer to the far end of Shoreline. Either go earlier and grab a good street parking spot or even park across 101 and take a leisurely stroll down Shoreline. Steer clear of all the office lots since their security (and plenty of MV cops) are guaranteed to be out and about.