9 Best Places to Spend New Year's Eve in California
Today I want to bring you my guide to the best places to spend New Year's Eve in California. From cities with fireworks to mountain destinations and coastal areas, there are plenty of exciting travel destinations for New Year's escapes in the Golden State. Whether you want to experience the biggest celebrations or spend NYE at a national park, there are lots of fun places to be on December 31st in California. Read on for my top picks this winter.
New Year's Eve in California
Having grown up in California, I've spent more than my fair share of New Year's Eves in the state. From fireworks shows in San Francisco to end-of-year trips to Lake Tahoe, I've belted out the lyrics to "Auld Lang Syne" from north to south and east to west.
In the process, I've experienced a lot of the best places to go for New Year's in California. In fact, I'm continually impressed by how many exciting locations there are to ring it in. Whether you're looking to get away for a night, take a three-day winter weekend trip, or spend a longer period of time away, there are lots of destinations you can escape to.
Before you book your trip, it's worth remembering that some places can be crowded on New Year's Eve, and some can be closed completely on December 31st and January 1st. It's wise to plan ahead, do some research, and reserve hotels, flights, restaurants, rental cars, events, and tickets as far in advance as you can.
As with Thanksgiving and Christmas in California, some hotels offer special package rates over New Year's Eve, especially those offering parties, dinners, or other celebrations on the 31st. You can look for deals when making your reservations.
1. San Francisco
San Francisco tops my list of places to spend New Year's Eve in California. The city does a lot for the occasion, and it's a fun location to ring in the new year. If you're considering a trip to San Francisco in December, I definitely encourage you to go.
The main event is the fireworks. The City by the Bay hosts a big annual fireworks show on the Embarcadero waterfront, and locals and visitors line the streets to see it. Better yet, if you can find a roof terrace, restaurant, or hotel with a view, you'll have a great vantage point for enjoying the spectacle.
And there's more. From parties to dinners, events, and boat cruises, there are a lot of options when it comes to spending New Year's Eve in San Francisco.
Whether you go to a black tie ball or a casual party, there’s a wide variety of ways in which you can ring in the new year in this part of Northern California. It’s a fun way to discover the city’s nightlife scene and wave good-bye to December at the same time.
2. Los Angeles
Los Angeles is next on my list of the best places to spend New Year's Eve in California. With mild winter weather, beautiful beaches, and great celebratory atmosphere, LA has something for everyone.
If you want to see fireworks, head to Marina del Rey. There are two fireworks shows near Burton Chace Park, one at 9pm and one at midnight. They're great ways to ring in the new year in LA.
If it's a party you're looking for, DTLA's Grand Park hosts a big party every year on December 31st. There's live music, DJs, and food trucks galore. A countdown is projected onto City Hall at midnight, too.
If that's not enough, there are plenty of parties, club nights, events, and dinners throughout LA on New Year's Eve. Whatever you're looking for, you can find it in this city.
On New Year's Day, the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena is worth seeing. Thousands of people line the 5.5-mile route as floral floats, marching bands, and equestrians go past with fanfare.
3. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is another great place to spend New Year's Eve in California. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are popular for skiing and snowboarding in December, especially in years when there's good snowfall in the run-up to the 31st.
Palisades goes all-out for New Year's Eve in Tahoe. From fireworks to a torchlight parade and live music, it's a great place to celebrate.
The same goes for Heavenly Village. It hosts a big concert with live music and a "gondola drop" with fireworks to ring in the new year.
Throughout Tahoe, hotels and other venues also host parties, dinners, concerts, and celebrations with live entertainment for the occasion.
4. San Diego
San Diego is another of the best places to spend New Year's in California. This beachside city is the perfect place for a getaway if you love good weather and great celebrations in equal measure.
San Diego hosts a New Year's Eve fireworks show some years. When it does, you can watch them along the waterfront.
But even when there aren't fireworks, you can still take a bay cruise, go to a party or gala, have a bonfire on the beach, or do a bar crawl in the Gaslamp Quarter. The Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel also hosts an annual New Year's Eve celebration called Big Night San Diego. It features bands, DJs, dancing, and special celebrity guests.
Some hotels in San Diego host big New Year's Day brunches, too. They're fun ways to kick off January after a big night of revelry.
5. Disneyland
Next on my list of places to spend New Year's Eve in California is Disneyland. The Magic Kingdom sparkles year-round, but NYE is a particularly good time to visit.
That's not least because it's open late. Disneyland stays open until 2am on New Year's Eve, and California Adventure closes at 1am. Downtown Disney is open until 3am.
There are special events, too. You can watch a fireworks show and other entertainment throughout the evening, making it one of the happiest places on earth to ring in the new year.
6. Temecula Valley
Another fun place to celebrate New Year's Eve in California is Temecula Valley. This American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Riverside County has fun annual traditions for NYE.
The Civic Center in Old Town Temecula hosts a giant illuminated "grape drop" on New Year's Eve. Before and after, there's lots of entertainment. From live music to dancing and food, it's a party for all to enjoy.
Local wineries put on events and dinners for the occasion, too, so there are plenty of ways to ring in the new year in this part of Southern California.
7. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is another of the top places to spend New Year's in California. The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so there's no need to worry about closures.
There's plenty going on over New Year's Eve in Yosemite, too. Tenaya Lodge hosts a big NYE party on December 31st, complete with games, food, drinks, live entertainment, and dancing. It's a great way to ring in the new year in one of California's most famous national parks.
You can also celebrate at The Ahwahnee hotel in Yosemite. It hosts a live music event with snacks, sparkling wine, and dancing late into the night.
8. Napa Valley
Napa is another of my top picks for places to spend New Year's Eve in California. In the heart of Northern California's wine country, the Napa Valley offers a lot of ways to spend NYE.
From multi-course dinners at some of the best restaurants in the Golden State to big New Year's Eve parties with live music, DJs, and dancing, there's a variety of ways to spend December 31st in Napa. Some even include festive balloon drops at midnight.
9. Sonoma Valley
Another place that's worth a trip for New Year's Eve in California is Sonoma Valley. This part of Northern California is famous for its wines, and it's a great place to ring in the new year.
As with Napa, many restaurants and wineries in Sonoma offer multi-course tasting menus for New Year's Eve dinners. From downtown Healdsburg to Sebastopol, a lot of them have live music, DJs, entertainment, and dancing after the meal.
For kids, the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa hosts an afternoon party complete with balloon drops, activities, and other Peanuts fun.
New Year's Eve in California
I hope you've enjoyed this guide to the best places to spend New Year's Eve in California, and that it's inspired you to head out west and ring in the new year in the Golden State. There are lots of exciting places to visit, and NYE is a fun time to vacation here. Happy travels!
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