When many Americans think of New Year’s Eve, they think of the ball dropping in New York’s Times Square, but what Californian wants to spend hours in the cold in a crowd where you can barely move? Imagine having the sudden urge to pee in that situation? No thanks.
Luckily, Southern California offers a diverse array of fun options for a night out, a night of fine dining, and a night of fun for the family.
Here’s our curated list of where to spend New Year’s Even in Southern California.
NYE Dinner at The Bungalow Kitchen
"Ring in New Year’s Eve in style at The Bungalow Santa Monica. Join us for a night to remember with premium hosted bar, small bites food and sweets stations, casino games and dancing to the sounds of DJ’s Kayper and Graham Funke. Dress to impress and party under the stars in our custom NYE Tent or make your way inside, anywhere you go the good times will be waiting!"
Address: 6400 Pacific Coast Hwy Suite 200, Long Beach, CA 90803
WEBSITE: sevenrooms.com
EVE at Universal Studios Hollywood
"Go on rides during the day and stick around for a midnight fireworks display at Universal Studios Hollywood’s New Year’s Eve celebration. You’ll find multiple genre-themed party areas around the park (Universal Plaza, Springfield and near Revenge of the Mummy) with desserts, beer, wine and champagne available for purchase at each."
Address: 100 Universal City Plaza Los Angeles
WEBSITE: universalstudioshollywood.com
Avalon Casino Ballroom New Year Eve's Celebration
"The Gala is on! Ring in the new year with an elegant evening of dining and dancing at the 48th Annual New Year's Eve Gala Celebration, Friday, December 31, 2021, in the world-famous Casino Ballroom on Catalina Island. Dress in your finest and step back in time to the ambiance of the Casino Ballroom’s stylish sophistication. Reservations for this year’s event are $199 per person. Online reservations sales are OPEN."
Address: 1 Casino Way, Avalon, CA 90704
WEBSITE: seecalifornia.com
LA New Year's Eve Moonlight Pier Pressure Cruise 2022
"On this 4hr cruise, you'll witness of the gorgeous scenery of Marina Del Rey Harbor. Perks of VIP: 4.5 HR Premium Open Bar for VIP's / 4 HR for General Admission
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres for all, 9pm -12am
3 Decks of entertainment & live DJs
Deck 1 w/ VIP area: Top 40 Open Format DJs
Deck 2 w/ Main Dance Floor & Champagne Bottle Service:
**PLUS** VIP also includes:
Buffet Style 4 Course Dinner
Reserved area:1st come 1st serve open seat (Deck 1)
Private Bars
Upgraded Party Favors
400+ Expected in Attendance
Complimentary party favors for all (while supplies last)"
Address: 13755 Fiji Way Marina Del Rey, CA
WEBSITE: eventbrite.com
New Year's Eve Grape Drop
"Ring in the new year Temecula style with the infamous Grape Drop! Celebrate 2022 twice with an East Coast (9pm) and West Coast (midnight) countdown. The New Year’s Eve Grape Drop will include live music, food vendors, and kid’s activities, Free Fun Zone will be open from 6:00-10:00pm."
Address: Civic Center, 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA
WEBSITE: visittemeculavalley.com
New Year's Eve On The Rooftop
"DJ Playing the best hits of 2021, 5 hour premium open bar, Countdown with champagne toast, 2 hour dinner buffet with carving station 8pm -10pm (menu TBD), Perfect view of the San Diego skyline, High tables will be available, first come first serve basis."
Address: 600 F St, San Diego, CA 92101
WEBSITE: eventbrite.com
New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade at Big Bear Lake
"Snow Summit will host the 57th annual Torchlight Parade on December 31, 2021. Admission to the parade viewing area is FREE and open to all ages with a live DJ.
Watch 200+ skiers and snowboarders light up the night as they make their way down the face of the mountain in the dark with torches to create a spellbinding spectacle of light before the (snow)ball drops. The show will begin around 7PM.
Make it a full day party. On New Year's Eve, lifts will start spinning at 8:30AM. Bring the whole family and enjoy skiing/snowboarding, lessons, rentals, on-site dining, snow tubing at the Grizzly Ridge Tube Park, and more! Start planning your trip today."
Address: Snow Summit 880 Summit Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA, 92653
WEBSITE: bigbearmountainresort.com
New Year's Eve Yacht Party - Newport Beach
"Celebrate this New Year’s Eve in style! Join us on Newport Harbor’s most elegant oversized luxury yacht. 3 Levels, Scenic Outdoor Decks, Lounges, Multiple Bars and a Large Dance Floor. Entertainment:
Level 1: Bar, Buffet & Lounge, Level 2: Main Room & Dance Floor (DJ spinning.. Hip Hop, 80s, Dance & Top 40), Level 3: Scenic Outdoor Deck."
Address: 2431 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663, USA
WEBSITE: 714area.com
New Year's Eve Yacht Party - San Diego
"Join us New Year's Eve on one of San Diego’s most oversized party yachts, The Spirit of San Diego! 146 Feet Long, 3 levels, outdoor decks, Lounges and two dance floors. This 500 capacity party yacht is ready to make history as the most memorable New Years Eve Yacht Cruise. This event has SOLD OUT 18 years in a row so get your tickets early!"
Address: Spirit of San Diego Yacht 990 North Harbor Drive Dock #3 San Diego, CA 92101
WEBSITE: eventbrite.com
New Years Eve at Knotts Merry Farm
"Knott’s Berry Farm goes all out during the holiday season, turning the theme park into the annual Knott’s Merry Farm with holiday decorations, music and snow. For New Year’s Eve, they take it a step further with extended hours (8am on Dec 31 to 1am on Jan 1), a countdown to midnight and fireworks. Look out for live music throughout the evening, as well as en evening buffet at Spur’s Restaurant."
Address: 8039 Beach Blvd Buena Park
WEBSITE: knotts.com
New Years Eve 2022 Huntington Beach Bar Crawl
"6+ different NYE parties, Free welcome shot tickets at select venues, Exclusive drink specials, NYE pub crawl map to all participating bars, lounges, and nightclubs."
Address: Main St Huntington Beach, CA 92648
WEBSITE: 714area.com
Newport Dunes NYE Countdown
"Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort is kicking off the new year in country style with a special Boots on the BeachTM New Year’s Eve party on Sunday, December 31 from 6:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. Bring family and friends for an evening of celebration featuring live music, food trucks, full bars, craft beer and whiskey tasting, a cigar bar, plus country western merchandise available for purchase. Enjoy dinner before the concert at Newport Dunes’ waterfront restaurant, Back Bay Bistro. The VIP Dinner package offers seatings at 6 p.m. and includes a special four-course dinner along with VIP concert seating."
Address: 1131 Back Bay Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
WEBSITE: newportdunes.com
NYE at Queen Mary
"While the world will countdown to 2020, the world-famous Queen Mary will celebrate decades of decadence with our New Year's Eve: Past and Present party. The ship’s decks and ballrooms will be brought to life with live music on multiple stages, dancing, themed experiences, and immersive entertainment, with a nod to Art Deco and the over-the-top Roaring Twenties."
Address: 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
WEBSITE: queenmary.com
San Diego Pub Crawl New Year's Eve Party
"Registration begins at: Taste & Thirst 6-10pm | Party till 2am
Enjoy free entry to multiple San Diego hot spots
Experience the local nightlife with a professional party leader
Discover some of the city's best bars & clubs, with all cover charges included
Have a great night out with other fun travelers!
Enjoy exclusive drink deals throughout the night
Go out with a bang with VIP entry to our exclusive, FREE After Party (TBA)"
Address: Taste & Thirst 715 4th Ave San Diego, CA 92101
WEBSITE: eventbrite.com
Tavern+Bowl
"Offering a limited number of New Year’s Eve packages. Choose from a family day package of 2.5 hours of unlimited bowling with pizza, boneless wings, salad and soft drinks or a 21+ package of 3 hours of unlimited bowling, snacks, pizza, wings, and a bottle of champagne."
Address: 1875 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
WEBSITE: tavernbowl.com
Sealegs at the Beach
"Join us for Dinner, Dancing and a Country Concert on the Beach to ring in New Years Eve 2022 featuring live performances."
Address: 17851 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92649
WEBSITE: allevents.in
SHOREbar NYE '22 | NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY
"Kick off the New Year with a spectacular party at SHOREbar, Los Angeles’ finest seaside nightlife haven. Offering the ultimate NYE amenities - like an open bar, a live DJ performance, and more, SHOREbar is the New Year’s destination for LA’s in-crowd. Spend NYE amid vivacious atmosphere in a party brimming with amenities and exhilarating revelry."
Address: 112 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402
WEBSITE: eventbrite.com
Stone Craft Beer New Year – Escondido
"Another year is in the books, and we’re celebrating with a sumptuous pairing dinner and a night to remember at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Escondido! Join us for great food, great beer and plenty of merriment, including live music, DJ and a midnight toast."
Address: 1999 Citracado Parkwy, Escondido, CA 92029
WEBSITE: eventbrite.com
The Groundlings New Year;s Eve Spectacular
"The lobby opens at 9pm for hors d’oeuvres and specialty cocktails. The Groundlings performers take the stage at 10pm for an awesome improv show featuring The Groundlings House Band. At midnight, the actors and audience will come together for a champagne toast to welcome in 2022!"
Address: 7307 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
WEBSITE: groundlings.com
Time Warp New Years Eve Party
"Your tickets include all you can drink from 8pm to 2am. We have 10 rooms to party with a huge outdoor area from 8pm to 4am. Rooms like Latin, EDM, Open format, 70s/80s DJs, 90s Cover band, and silent disco outside. After Hours with Drag Show and Karaoke added."
Address: Encore Event Center 8253 Ronson Road San Diego, CA 92111
WEBSITE: eventbrite.com
