If my beach town (Huntington Beach) is any indication of what people like most about the 4th of July, fireworks win, hands down. Even though it can take an hour to get to the beach to see the 22 minute show, and nearly two hours in traffic leave, over half a million people show up to watch fireworks launched from Huntington Beach Pier over the Pacific Ocean. Practically every popular fireworks show in California anticipates crowds.