For tens of thousands of families, Independence Day was the kind of nearly perfect day that it seems only North County can reliably provide.

On the coast, the June gloom took a holiday for the Fourth of July; the skies were clear, the beaches warm and not too crowded, the ocean emerald and bracing.

Inland, the sun was leavened by temperate breezes that sent Frisbees, laughter and the sweet aroma of barbecue soaring across parks and backyards, and that by sunset pushed the smoke from fireworks exploding over thousands of smiling, uplifted faces.

Throngs spent the day in Oceanside, where visitors to the Municipal Pier could watch breakdancers on a makeshift stage, shop for beach gear or grab a bite from Murrieta-based Duke's Hot Sandwiches, one of the vendors that set up shop on the shore Saturday.

"It's been busy. It's been a little nerve-racking at times, but it's also been great," said Cindy Berg, in between taking orders for burgers and brats. "I think we'll be back next year."

Standing on the pier, Lily Benavidez of San Jacinto said she has been coming to Oceanside's Fourth of July festivities with her daughter, Kassandria, 14, for a decade.

"Every year I see a bigger crowd. It's great," Benavidez said.

Down on the beach, Oceanside residents David and Joyce Baily spent the afternoon with their son, Jeremy, who was visiting from Baton Rouge, La.

They said they weren't discouraged by the absence of fireworks this year in Oceanside, which cut back its celebration amid slumping tax revenue.

"A lot of people look at this as 'national fireworks day,' but they don't remember it's actually Independence Day," Jeremy Baily said.

Oceanside lifeguard Dieter Swank said he and his team watched over about 70,000 people Saturday.

Of those, about 25,000 took to the water, he said.

Swank said that was a significant drop from the 2008 crowd.

In 2008, lifeguards estimated that the beach had about 100,000 visitors, and even that was half the number that was on hand in 2007.

Some people may have skipped the beach because the city didn't sponsor a fireworks display this year, Swank said.

"Also, it's been cooler," he said. "Although it has been nice weather today, it hasn't been real nice at the beaches recently."

On Saturday, beachgoers were treated to bright sunshine, highs in the 70s and just enough of a breeze to keep cool without sending picnic plates flying.

On the lawn of the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista's Brengle Terrace Park, Bruce Malloy of Escondido said the fireworks are why he and his wife, Machiko, keep coming back to the park.

A performance by the Platt Bros., billed as a "blend of acrobatics, dance, comedy and music," was a bonus, Malloy said.

"I think if they keep their act together, we're going to see them on national TV," he said.

His daughter, Molly, said the Fourth of July tradition is a good opportunity to sit outside, people-watch and listen to music, regardless of fireworks.

"If the bands weren't here, I don't think I would come," she said.

Fireworks were most certainly on the menu at Escondido's Grape Day Park, where organizers were expecting as many as 15,000 spectators.

"It's the 233rd anniversary of our great nation's independence, so we're ready to party," said Tina Insco of the California Center of the Arts, Escondido. "We've got the best fireworks and I think the word has gotten out."

Cmdr. Joseph Watt of the American Legion Post 149 put the total cost for fireworks and logistics at $31,000 - or "about $1,000 per minute," he said.

"If we break even this year, I'll be happy," Watt said, adding that some cuts had to be made, but that overall, the show had plenty to offer.

The celebration included a new element to honor those who died in battle.

A table was set up in a place of honor at the foot of the stage to symbolize those who were either prisoners of war or missing in action.

San Marcos held its 26th Fourth of July celebration at Bradley Park.

Crowds began entering the park early in the morning to grab the best spots to watch the fireworks and enjoy the day with family, friends and food.

"I never miss a celebration," said Matt Benning, a San Marcos resident. "I started coming when I was younger with my mom and dad, and now I'm here with my wife and kids."

Brett Van Wey, battalion chief of the San Marcos Fire Department, said that extra equipment had been brought in for the event and that the normal response team was fully staffed and on alert in the event of an emergency.

"I've been here 22 years," Van Wey said. "Things stay pretty calm and organized and everyone usually has good time."

San Marcos funds its fireworks display solely with community donations.

Holly Malan, a city official, said the price tag for this year's celebration was about $20,000, and that almost the entire amount had been donated.

Call staff writer Colleen Mensching at 760-739-6675. Manny Lopez contributed to this report.