Organize Your Fourth Plans Properly

Living on the West Coast can sometimes feel like being three hours late Award shows are broadcast late, news breaks at 6 a.m., and Twitter becomes a danger zone for the three hours while waiting for Game of Thrones to make it over here. But despite its roots in the East, the Fourth of July (complete with fireworks display) is the perfect West Coast holiday. The weather's perfect (warm and sunny without getting humid), the views are uniformly great from Seattle down to San Diego, and there's no reason to deal with crowds and traffic or buy your own fireworks from sketchy roadside stands when instead, you can just take a break from marathoning Pawn Stars and switch the channel to one of the many televised firework displays. No crowds, waiting, jostling for a better view, or chance of burning off a finger or two. All times, it goes without saying, are PT.

Watch With the Rest of the Nation

7:30 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. on PBS: 3, 2, 1 Fireworks goes behind the scenes of the White House fireworks display. It should be full of tips for the logistics nerd who threatens every year to put on their own show in the backyard.

8 p.m. — 10 p.m. on NBC: Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular will be broadcasting from New York City, and like its sister event, the Thanksgiving Day Parade, they manage to get some huge stars to perform. If you're a sucker for a shared cultural experience, gather around and watch, knowing that much of the country will be doing the same. You'll also get to enjoy one of the biggest and baddest explosions in the US. (It airs again at 10 p.m., in case your party is too kicking to take a break at 8.)

8 p.m. — 9:30 p.m. on PBS: A Capitol Fourth is a more refined, elegant fireworks display. Broadcast live from the White House, it should be perfect for those who prefer orchestral arrangements of John Phillip Sousa rather than performances by Ariana Grande. (It reairs at 9:30 PM.)

8 p.m. — 11 p.m. on VH1: Philly 4th of July Jam is headlined by The Roots, returning to their hometown for a night of musical celebration in the nation's original capital city and the location for Independence Day's biggest historical events. And it should have the perfect soundtrack for a discerning party audience.

Watch With The Rest of The West

And for those whose national pride will never outpace their local city pride, here are some local listings for fireworks broadcast live from the major West Coast cities!

8:30 p.m. — 9:30 p.m. on KTLA: Big Bay Boom is San Diego's fireworks celebration, broadcast all across Southern California. Instead of spending all day on the freeway getting to and from the show, kick back on your couch and tune in to the local FOX affiliate.

9 p.m. — 10 p.m. on KRON: July 4th Live! Fireworks Around the Bay will showcase San Francisco's biggest and best firework displays. While there are tons of options in the area, if you're too tired to hit the crowded bus system or just want to stay home and make your own drinks, you can watch all the highlights here at 9.

9 p.m. — 11 p.m. on KIRO-HD: Seafair's Summer Fourth represents the Pacific Northwest, with two hours of the free local celebration broadcast live. Make sure you're watching at 10:10 if you don't want to miss a second of the fireworks show. Seafair actually goes on for so long, you could easily show up to grab a couple of snacks in the early afternoon and be home watching the national anthem by 9:30.

Image Credit: Eric Liebowitz/NBC