Make an early New Year’s resolution this year: Get more creative about how you celebrate December 31st. Across California, you can choose from glittering parties at downtown hotels, city fireworks (like the big show over San Francisco’s Embarcadero), and sumptuous dinners at acclaimed restaurants. But that’s only the beginning. You can also join celebrations that culminate in torchlight parades down mountains, walks through illuminated gardens, or a glowing “grape drop” over wine country. Some of these West Coast parties last until the wee hours while others wrap up by 9 p.m. (or whenever you say they do). Here are 20-plus great ways to ring in the New Year in California, listed north to south.
NYE at Garden of Lights, Redding
New Year’s Eve marks the dazzling high point for the Redding Garden of Lights experience in Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Walk through Redding’s 1 million–strong light display, spread across 10 acres, while also enjoying live music, multiple food and drink stations, VIP igloos, LED swings, and a heated lounge that runs until 10 p.m.
Bliss Out Along the North Coast, Mendocino
Low-key Sea Rock Inn in Mendocino offers a New Year’s getaway without a lot of flash—and that’s entirely by design. This inn comprised of suites and cottages offers an excellent spot for watching whales this time of year, exploring Glass Beach, or taking peaceful walks through redwoods. Even better, every morning begins with an organic, house-made breakfast delivered to guests’ doors.
Join a Torchlight Parade, Palisades Tahoe
The party at Palisades Tahoe starts at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31 and features a torchlight parade with fireworks down the slopes by the Exhibition lift. Reserve your spot and get a wristband plus an LED torch for the ride. Or spend the evening enjoying some Disco Tubing at the resort.
Nearby in Truckee, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe throws its own parties with both a New Year’s Eve dinner at Manzanita, a Ritz-Kids buffet, and a New Year's Eve Countdown Party.
Delta King Dinner Cruise, Sacramento
Spend the evening on this historic 1927 riverboat docked along the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Choose from a four-course dinner worthy of the Farm-to-Fork Capital, or take part in the riverboat’s Murder Mystery dinner show. Both options include a Champagne toast and dancing at midnight. Make a full night of it by staying over in one of the boat’s staterooms and enjoying a deal on your Jan. 1 breakfast.
Party at the Silverado Resort’s Mansion, Napa
Napa Valley's Silverado Resort and Spa offers two sumptuous ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve: a five-course prix fixe dinner at The Grill or a DJ-fueled New Year’s Eve party at the hotel’s 150-year-old Mansion, which features bubbly, small bites, and a balloon drop at midnight. Stay overnight with the New Year's Eve Package that includes party admission, a $50 resort credit, and a 20 percent discount on the room rate.
In Downtown Napa, choose from options including the annual Meritage Resort and Spa New Year’s Eve Partyand a wine-tasting soirée with a DJ and disco ball at JaM Cellars.
Feast Your Way into 2024, Sonoma County
Sparkling wine is just one part of the equation when celebrating at one of the many foodie hot spots in Sonoma County. Consider dinner with dancing and local wine at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. Or head to the Michelin-starred Cyrus in Geyserville, where the Bubbles Lounge will offer an evening pairing sparkling wine (with an option for the epic Krug Grande Cuveé) with aged Ossetra caviar. Another option: Sit down at Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, which offers a five-course menu of seasonally inspired wine country cuisine. Or head to Santa Rosa, where the midcentury Flamingo Resort is throwing two different White Lotus–themed parties in its ballroom and lounge—one Hawaiian and one Sicilian, for each season of the HBO series.
Kids, meanwhile, can celebrate during the afternoon at Santa Rosa’s Charles M. Schulz Museum, where the Happy New Year, Charlie Brown party offers balloon drops at noon and 3 p.m.
Show Off Your Snow Skills at Dodge Ridge, Tuolumne County
Ski your way out of 2023 at Tuolumne County’s Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort, which hosts its party from 3–7 p.m. The shindig with live music, food and drink, and giveaways culminates with a torchlight parade and a “rail jam” display of tricks and maneuvers by skiers and snowboarders, followed by fireworks.
Party at Tenaya Lodge, Yosemite
Celebrating your NYE into the wilderness doesn’t have to mean roughing it. The Tenaya Lodge, located two miles from Yosemite’s south entrance, is throwing an easy access party ($35 per person) with a DJ, dancing, and a Champagne toast. This time of year, the resort also offers an ice rink for fun during the daytime.
Fireworks Over Bass Lake, Madera County
Combine a big party with a laid-back setting at the Pines Resort, which boasts of being the only lakefront resort near Yosemite. The resort’s New Year's Eve party includes a DJ, digital photo booth, party favors, and the all-important glass of Champagne at midnight, when fireworks go off over the lake.
Stay Up Late at Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy
The kid-friendly theme park in Gilroy offers a festive NYE for families with a fun option to stay up past most kids’ bedtimes. The park is open from 4 p.m. to midnight, and the party includes illuminated gardens, food and drink, a DJ, photo booth, and fireworks at midnight.
Noir et Blanc Gala, Pebble Beach
Wear your best black or white at this color-coordinated party at The Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach. The ballroom and surrounding areas at the Monterey County resort will be decked out in black, white, silver, and gold, and guests at the 21+ party can play casino games and dance to a live band.
Watch a Parade, Monterey
Start your celebration at 3 p.m. in historic downtown Monterey, where the family-friendly First Night Monterey throws a 9-hour party along Alvarado Street with live music stages, food vendors, and kiosks selling illuminated accessories. While the party goes on until midnight, one main event happens at 5:30: the Twilight Procession, a Mardi Gras–style walking parade of bands, dance groups, movable sculptures, puppets, and people in costume.
Pink Cake, Live Music, and Sunsets, San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo County offers a variety of parties on Dec. 31. One excellent option is the Pink NYE at the Madonna Inn: The fabulously kitschy inn in San Luis Obispo is hosting an extravagant, all-inclusive dinner paired with live music, dancing, a midnight balloon drop, and the hotel’s famous Pink Champagne cake.
In Paso Robles, the downtown City Park hosts a family-friendly New Year’s Eve concert and bonfire from 7–11 p.m., with live music and a ball drop at 9 p.m. In Pismo Beach, The Cliffs Hotel & Spa rings in the New Year first with a four-course sunset dinner followed by a New Year’s Eve party with a DJ and electric violinist.
Rock Out in the Central Valley, Bakersfield
Send out 2023 with a night of music at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, which throws a NYE party with a four-course dinner and a show by British hard rockers Stampede Band and Bakersfield acts In Kahootz and Evan Morgan. Downtown’s Padre Hotel offers its own dance party well as a hotel deal that takes 20 percent off your three-night stay and includes a bottle of bubbly for NYE guests.
Splashy New Year's Eve Balls, Beverly Hills
No doubt, Beverly Hills knows how to throw a fabulous party. The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills hosts a Venetian Masquerade Ball with an open bar, live performances, passed canapés, and a midnight toast, while the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel hosts a Havana Nights–themed evening of dinner and music at THE Blvd, its restaurant that overlooks the heart of Beverly Hills—the corner of Wilshire and Rodeo Drive.
In nearby Santa Monica, consider joining the New Year’s Eve Pub Crawl or watching the very popular Annual One-Time Only New Year’s Eve Musical Review at the Santa Monica Playhouse.
Immerse Yourself in the Tournament of Roses, Pasadena
No town kicks off the New Year quite like Pasadena, thanks to the Tournament of Roses’ Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl football game on Jan. 1 (this year’s game is college football’s Playoff Semifinal between Michigan and Alabama). But plenty of fans love the days leading up to New Year’s Day just as much. See the horses that will strut their stuff in the parade during Dec. 29’s Equestfest, or head to Pasadena City College on Dec. 29–30 for Bandfest, showcasing the marching bands that will play during the parade. Watch the last touches going on floats from Dec. 28–30 at the Decorating Places, or stay in town from Jan. 1–2 to see the finished products up close during Floatfest.
EVE at Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles
Ring in the New Year at this after-hours event at this Los Angeles County theme park. The separate-ticket party lasts until 2 a.m., with a variety of music stages, photo ops, and fireworks. Buy food and drink, bubbly, and other adult beverages while enjoying the park’s biggest rides, such as Jurassic World—The Ride, and experiencing the last days of the Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Grinchmas.
Stay over at the Coast Anabelle Hotel, which offers a Universal Studios Hollywood Package that bundles in park admission and transportation to and from the park.
Pick Your Party at Terranea, Rancho Palos Verdes
Choose from two different NYE options at this Los Angeles County resort—a family-friendly three-course dinner with a live band and a Champagne toast, or a Monte Carlo–themed party with casino games and a buffet. Either way you can book the NYE offer that includes admission to the casino party, free parking, and a $150 dining credit.
New Year’s Eve at Disneyland, Anaheim
The Happiest Place on Earth celebrates extra-late on New Year’s Eve: Disneyland Park stays open until 2 a.m. and both Disney California Adventure Park the Downtown Disney District stay open until 1 a.m. Plan your Anaheim evening around the Holiday Dance Party from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. in Disneyland Park.
In neighboring Buena Park, Knott’s Berry Farm continues celebrating its Knott’s Merry Farm during the day and then busts out the noisemakers and hats for guests who stay for the midnight countdown and fireworks. Festivities come to a close at 1 a.m.
Surf City Splash, Huntington Beach
Morning people can party down on Jan. 1 in Huntington Beach, where this annual event includes a costume contest, breakfast, and an invigorating dip in the Pacific Ocean at noon.
Want to party the night before in Orange County’s beach towns? Plenty of hotels are hosting their own dinners and shindigs. Raise your glass in Huntington Beach at Paséa Hotel & Spa’s rooftop lounge party, or consider the festive dinners in Laguna Beach at Montage Laguna Beach or The Ranch at Laguna Beach. Get dressed up for the Diamonds and Pearls New Year’s Eve Party at Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, or make the most of the expanded NYE menus in Dana Point at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel and Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach.
Party in the Desert, Greater Palm Springs
Winter’s high season means plenty of festivities in Greater Palm Springs. Choose from options ranging from a jazz dinner at The Purple Room to three different parties at the Agua Caliente casinos, including a “Studio 24” bash featuring KC and the Sunshine Band.
Temecula Valley's Grape Drop, Temecula Valley
Head to the Civic Center in Old Town Temecula for a fun annual tradition: watching the giant illuminated grapes drop at both 9 p.m. and midnight. Throughout the evening, make the most of live music, dancing, food vendors, and a kid's Fun Zone. Nearby, the Wilson Creek Winery hosts a Mardi Gras themed party, while Europa Village is throwing a Roaring ‘20s “Gatsby” party.
Cocktails, Skating and Brunch at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego
This North County San Diego resort embraces the “grand” over the holidays. Choose from a party in the elegant Lobby Lounge, a sit-down dinner, or the family-friendly cabanas, firepits, and seasonal ice rink out on the lawn. In the morning, tuck in for a lavish New Year’s Day Brunch at its Amaya restaurant.
For a low-key celebration in North County, stay at the Beach Terrace Hotel in Carlsbad, where overnight guests are invited to the Last Sunset Celebration—drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and live music on the hotel’s Sun Deck while watching the last sunset of 2023. And for a great dinner paired with an instant memory, book your spot for a four-course dinner at the acclaimed Herb & Sea in Encinitas, followed by their annual skinny-dip in the ocean at neighboring Moonlight State Beach.
Go Dancing Downtown, San Diego
Come to the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel in downtown San Diego for its Big Night party—an all-inclusive, 21-and-up night of food, drinks, and multiple dance floors as well as discounted room rates at the hotel. Foodies will love the selection of parties at the Pendry San Diego, including a four-course dinner at Provisional Kitchen, and the Champagne bottle specials at Oxford Social Club.
Want more dancing? Nearby is PROPER NYE (Dec. 31–Jan. 1), a two-day house music festival held at Petco Park and neighboring Gallagher Square. The lineup includes Grammy-nominated Chris Lake and electronic artist Zhu.
