How to Celebrate New Year's Eve in San Diego

Photo Credit: Lost_in_the_Midwest

• December 31, 2024 | 10am - 7pm
• LEGOLAND
• legoland.com/california/things-to-do/seasonal-events/kids-new-years-eve/

Guests staying in our larger single-family San Diego vacation rentals with kids can celebrate New Year’s twice in one day! Get tickets for this early kid-friendly New Year’s celebration at LEGOLAND with fireworks, live music, and a countdown at 6 pm. The event ends at 7 pm to have the kids in bed at a decent hour.

Seaworld NYE Fireworks Celebration

Photo Credit: Catherine_P

• December 31, 2024 | 9 pm
• Seaworld
• seaworld.com/san-diego/events/new-years-eve/

Splash into the New Year at San Diego’s favorite marine theme park. Squeeze in a dolphin show, marine exhibits, and animal encounter tours before the evening when this park transforms into one of San Diego’s must-visit New Year’s destinations. Enjoy live music and watch fireworks before the countdown to 2025.

Plunge’s MEGA Noon Year Celebration

Photo Credit: ZikG

• December 31, 2024 | 10:30am - 1:00pm
• Plunge San Diego, 3115, Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA
• plungesandiego.com

New Year comes early for those visiting Belmont Park. The Plunge brings the New Year’s festivities to its landmark waterpark with activities for all ages. Dress up in your fanciest swimsuit and enjoy the floating obstacle course, Aqua Jungle, indoor “snowfall,” crafts, and a dance party with a live DJ. Stick around until noon for the balloon drop.

Experience Glitz & Glam NYE

Photo Credit: sandiego.org

• December 31, 2024
• Hard Rock Hotel
• hotel.hardrock.com/san-diego/new-years-eve-san-diego.aspx

Party like a Rockstar this New Year at the Hard Rock Hotel in the Gaslamp District. It’s a massive hotel party where every room you enter features a different DJ playing various music genres. Start the night with shots to a house mix, dance the house away to reggaeton, and then pop bottles to hip-hop classics.

R&B Block Party East Coast

Photo Credit: T'Yana Randall

• December 31, 2024 | 5 pm - 10 pm
• Quartyard, 1301 Market St, San Diego, CA
• quartyardsd.com/event/rb-block-party-east-coast-new-years-eve/

If you’re visiting San Diego from the East Coast, this party lets you ring in the New Year at the same time as your family and friends back home. Jam to R&B hits in this urban outdoor park until 9 pm PST when the ball drops to coincide with 12 am EST time zone.

Other New Year’s Eve Things to Do in San Diego

1. Watch Downtown San Diego Fireworks

Photo Credit: Marti Bug Catcher

Fireworks are the universal way to celebrate the New Year, and San Diego has quite the show you don’t want to miss during your holiday vacation. Head downtown to catch the annual fireworks show that will light up the night sky one last time before the new year arrives.

If you don’t feel like shelling out for the high-ticket NYE parties, the downtown fireworks are a free alternative that’s just as exciting. Join the crowds at  Embarcadero Marina Park for a waterfront vista of the fireworks show bursting over the downtown district to welcome spectators into the new year.

2. Go Bar Hopping in the Gaslamp District

Photo Credit: Sean Pavone

Crawl your way into the New Year in San Diego’s iconic Gaslamp Quarter. Home to more than 200 bars, you’ll never be short on a place in San Diego’s nightlife hotspot to make a New Year’s toast when the clock strikes midnight.

Experience a myriad of bars that suit every partygoer’s taste. If the weather is nice, ascend to the rooftop venues at the  ALTITUDE SKY LOUNGE or  The Rooftop by STK, where you can catch a glimpse of the downtown fireworks. Dance to Spanish tunes at  Havana 1920 or rock out inside the House of Blues. Sweat away last year’s troubles on the dance floor of  Parq Nightclub.

Many venues have higher cover charges and long waits to get inside without reservations on New Year’s, so plan ahead. There are also Gaslamp NYE Bar Crawl tours.

3. Go On a NYE/New Year’s Day Cruise

Photo Credit: Rosamar

Cruise the San Diego Bay on a special holiday cruise to treat yourself to great views, gourmet food, and plenty of champagne to celebrate the New Year.  Flagship Cruises and  City Cruises are popular choices for NYE/NYD cruise experiences.

Take in the San Diego skyline sights on a luxury cruise featuring chef-prepared meals, champagne, an open bar, live music, party favors, and more. During your stay, contact our concierge guest service to help make advance reservations for a cruise.

Can’t get enough of the water? Check out our  oceanfront San Diego vacation rentals.

4. Eat Your Heart Out With New Year’s Restaurant Specials

Photo Credit: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A

Many of the  best restaurants in San Diego host special New Year’s Eve meals. These meals are curated specifically for the holiday and often feature off-menu items or discounts on popular items. Now’s your chance to get into that Michelin-starred restaurant you’ve been eyeing all year, indulge in a multi-course meal, or simply have your favorite dish one more time before the year ends.

Local restaurants post their NYE menus on their websites and social media leading up to the holiday, so keep an eye on your top picks. There will be options for New Year’s Eve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Advanced tickets may be required and may quickly be sold out for the city’s most popular spots. Alternatively, check for early-bird specials.

Getting Around Safely in San Diego

There will be endless opportunities to drink on New Year’s Eve in San Diego, but do so responsibly! The city of San Diego wants you to have a fun, yet safe, New Year’s by providing transportation options to get to and from your New Year’s Eve party.

Every year, the San Diego Metro Transit System (MTS) offers free rides on NYE starting in the evening and running until the early morning hours on New Year’s Day. These rides include all local bus and trolley routes. Alternatively, consider using ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft to get to and from your destination if you plan to drink.

Holiday Ready Accommodations in San Diego

You won’t be late for the party when staying in one of our San Diego vacation rentals. Whether you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve in San Diego with a group of adults at one of the major city parties, partaking in family-friendly activities, or prefer to celebrate from home, we have the perfect accommodations to host you and your family this NYE holiday.

Demand is high during the holiday season, so  book your San Diego accommodations today and get ready to ring in the New Year!