New Year's Eve 2011

NYE Parties in San Diego

Downtown Countdown
December 31
Toast to the New Year in style at the Downtown Countdown in the Gaslamp District at the Historic Horton Plaza. Buy your ticket today and have all-inclusive access to an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, new DJs and of course, a dance floor. A portion of proceeds will be donated to A Reason To Survive, a non-profit organization known for their healing and empowering opportunities to art-based programs and education.

The W Hotel
December 31
Pop champagne and sip on cocktails at The W Hotel’s annual New Year’s Eve bash. Dance to eclectic music and some of San Diego’s best DJs throughout the evening and night and celebrate the arrival of 2011. Don’t forget to reserve your room at The W for when the night is over!

Big Night San Diego New Year’s Eve Gala
December 31
Tired of the long lines that often appear at open bars? Head down to the Hilton San Diego Bayfront to enjoy an open and efficient bar and a buffet. Casino tables and live bands will be available for your nightly entertainment.

EPIC New Year’s Eve
December 31
Electrifying beats and flashing lights will be a common site at this year’s party at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Enjoy the sets of DJ Ferry Corsten as he combines trance, house and electro beats to create unique DJ sets.

New Year’s Eve Yacht Party
December 31
Enjoy a ride on the largest private yacht in Southern California around San Diego Bay to welcome the New Year. Your ticket includes wine, beer and top-shelf liquor, as well as appetizers, chocolate fountains, party hats and lots of music.

New Year’s Eve 2011 Stingaree
December 31
Upgrade your New Year’s Eve plans and head to Stingaree, one of the hottest clubs in the U.S., to enjoy the ultimate nightclub experience with DJ Fashen and lots of dancing.

NYE Live 2011 at Envy Nightclub at The Ivy
December 31
Experience live art, video screens, Led walls, body painted models, dancers instruments and more at the Ivy this New Year’s Eve.

NYE Packages at Quality Social
Call ahead to reserve a custom package for you and friends at Quality Social (one of our editor's picks for locally-focused spots in the Gaslamp). All packages include custom menus with chefs specialties of the night, including desserts, A live toast at midnight and other fun bar snacks, cocktails, a visitng DJ from las Vegas and more.

Movies to Watch

Looking for a movie to mark the occasion? Enjoy the following New Year’s Eve-themed movies:

• When Harry Met Sally…
• Bridget Fones’ Diary
• Happy New Year, Charlie Brown
• 200 Cigarettes
• Ocean’s Eleven
• High School Musical
• Holiday Inn (starring Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby)

New Year’s Traditions in San Diego and Around the World

Many San Diegans are fond of jumping in the ocean on New Year’s Eve or Day. The La Jolla Cove Swim Club holds an annual 2-mile ocean swim at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
lajollacoveswimclub.org.

Champagne, top hats, noisemakers and confetti aren’t the only hallmarks of New Year’s Eve. In Austria, radio stations broadcast Strauss’ “The Blue Danube” at midnight. Brazil’s Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro is considered to have the best fireworks show in the world.

Ecuadorians create elaborate effigies stuffed with firecrackers; eat 12 grapes before midnight with a wish accompanying each grape and wear yellow or red underwear, said to attract positive energies (as in much of the Spanish-speaking world); and walk around the block with a suitcase, which is said to bring them the journey of their dreams.

In France, friends and family sometimes exchange gifts. A ban on fireworks in Ireland means they ring church bells instead, though they bang on the door and walls with Christmas bread to chase the bad luck out and promise enough bread in the coming year.

In the Netherlands, the main TV feature is a satirical review of the year’s politics. Filipinos bang on pots and pans to to scare away evil spirits or forces, as do Iranians and others.

Dinner Options

Quarter Kitchen Restaurant
December 31
Splurge on the last day of 2010 with Quarter Kitchen’s New Year’s Eve prix-fixe dinner menu. Guests are sure to be satisfied with a complimentary class of champagne upon arrival in addition to the glass served at midnight. Special menu items include grilled lamb chop with charred eggplant, wild mushroom risotto and decadent desserts such as the peanut butter and double dark chocolate semi- freddo. Make your reservation today!

Mediterranean Room and Whaling Bar and Grill
December 31
Enjoy a four-course dinner at the beautiful La Valencia Hotel, where Executive Chef Lance Repp will prepare every dish perfectly to your liking. Enjoy breath-taking views and savory foods as you welcome the New Year with all of your family and friends.

Sky Room
December 31
Feast on a five or seven-course meal at the Sky Room this New Year’s Eve. Guests will enjoy “California Fresh” style dishes with lots of tasty seafood options, an extensive wine list and spectacular views from this restaurant within the La Valencia Hotel.

Twenty/20 Grill and Wine Bar
December 31
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with festive flavors, beautiful décor and even a dance floor at the Sheraton Hotel in Carlsbad. Executive Chef Reed Anderson of Twenty/20 will be creating specially planned five-course meals using this season’s best Californian ingredients. Impressive dishes include oven roasted duck breast, Brandt Farm’ grilled nude rib eye and a seasonal day boat fillet.

Blue Point Coastal Cuisine
December 31
The evening’s “Hook, Line and Sinker” three-course menu includes to-die-for seafood and salads for your last meal of 2010.

New Year’s Day Buffet
January 1
Start the New Year off right with La Valencia’s famous buffet inside the Mediterranean Room. Stunning views of La Jolla Cove and flavorful lunch and brunch menu options are sure to draw a crowd.

Toast Enoteca & Cucina
December 31
Select menu items are paired with a flight of four of their most luxurious wines, with a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight. Flight of four wines - $25 or $45 with food pairing.

Acqua Al 2
December 31
Ring in the New Year over a 3-course, prix-fixe menu for $60 per person right on the Fifth Avenue in the heart of the Gaslamp. Includes a complimentary glass of Champagne at midnight.

Red Velvet Winebar
Chef Luke Johnson’s menu is full of seasonal and local ingredients and, on NYE 2011, Johnson will be showcasing some extra luxurious items such as truffles, duck and decadent wines. Pre-fixe menu with wine starts at $65 per person. 

Ave 5
AVE 5’s chef-owner Colin MacLaggan offers a specially crafted menu and creative libations including a Theater Martini, Gin Jiggle, Poinsettia and Apple Brandy. The best part of NYE at Ave 5? Bottomless Champagne at the bar!