Check out these fun New Years Events San Diego
I think we’re all more than ready to give 2020 the proper send-off it truly deserves!
Thanks to living in San Diego with our almost picture-perfect weather, there are many options for saying goodbye to the old and happily welcoming in the new. From private romantic moments to celebrating with family or friends, here are some of the great ways to ring in the New Year! And if you are a sucker for fireworks, I got you covered as well as most of the places I mention are perfect to watch the San Diego New Years Eve Fireworks.
Keep in mind that with current health guidelines and restrictions, that there may be changes to schedules and openings. Your best bet is always checking each of these websites for the most recent updated information.
San Diego New Years Eve Cruise
Flagship San Diego New Year’s Eve Cruise
One of Flagship’s most popular cruises of the year just happens to take place on New Year’s Eve. The three-hour tour covering a full north and south bay route includes a gourmet onboard prepared dinner, champagne as you board, and a midnight champagne toast, premium bar selections, a DJ, and dancing. Flagship also offers a New Years Day Brunch Cruise.
Cost: New Years Eve Dinner Cruise $150 (extra for unlimited bar).
For an additional $55 per person, a hosted bar will serve unlimited premium liquor, wine, and beer.
Departures from Broadway Pier, 990 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, 92101. (619)-234-4111.
NYE Hornblower Cruises on the Bay
With a glittering skyline as a backdrop, Hornblower Cruises is offering some spectacular 3-hour yacht cruises around the San Diego Bay.
The New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Cruise features private tables, bottomless champagne or sparkling cider, a decadent gourmet-prepared meal, and DJ entertainment to keep guests dancing the night away. With free onboard WiFi, you can even post photos of the event and surroundings as you cruise the bay. Cocktail attire is recommended.
Hornblower’s VIP New Year’s Eve Cruise boasts even more perks such as a private reserved table with fine linens, a 5-course seated dinner, top-end open bar, souvenir champagne flutes, and complementary truffles. New Year’s Eve hats, horns, and party favors are complimentary as well.
Oh and if you are more of a brunch person, you can book either their New Years Eve Brunch Cruise, or the New Years Day Brunch Cruise.
Cost for the cruises: $139 pp for the Gala Cruise, $199 pp for the VIP Cruise, $75 New Years Eve Brunch Cruise, $75 New Years Day Brunch Cruise
Departures from Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, 92101. (619) 686-8700
Romantic Dinner Overlooking San Diego Bay
For those into a more private, romantic way to welcome the New Year, we have just the ticket for you! San Diego has some beautiful restaurants with stunning water views that are perfect for a New Year’s Eve candlelight dinner for two.
We recommend getting reservations in ASAP however, as these fine eateries will likely fill up fast due to limited seating (and of course, holiday demand). You can contact the restaurant directly, or reserve through Open Table. Here are a few to check out:
Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island
Brigantine at Port Side Restaurant at The Embarcadero
Island Prime- C-Level on Harbor Island
Oceana Coastal Kitchen at the Catamaran Mission Bay
Peohe’s at Coronado Ferry Landing
Seréa Coastal Cuisine at Hotel Del Coronado
The Marine Room at La Jolla Shores Hotel
Tom Hams Lighthouse in Harbor Island Park
333 Pacific in Oceanside
Rooftop Dining/Drinks with a View
For a birds’ eye perspective on New Year’s Eve in San Diego, these lovely San Diego rooftop bars and restaurants are the perfect way to welcome in the New Year with the ones you love. After all, we know America’s eighth largest city just happens to have some spectacularly breathtaking panoramic views. Many of these rooftop bars are in hotels, so if you want to make it super convenient, book yourself a room for the night and don’t worry about getting home safely.
Harbor & Sky Rooftop Bar and Lounge in the Residence Inn by Marriott on the Waterfront
Above Ash Social at Carte Hotel, Little Italy
ALTITUDE Sky Lounge at San Diego Marriott, Gaslamp Quarter
Mister A’s Downtown San Diego
Kettner Exchange, Little Italy
Lionfish Restaurant at Pendry San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Rustic Root San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
The Rooftop by STK at Andaz San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Top of the Hyatt San Diego Waterfront, Downtown
Book a Suite and Invite a Few Friends
A few years back, we booked a suite with a balcony on a high floor of the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. Then we invited a few friends in to celebrate the New Year with us. Living in San Diego, we could also pack some of our favorite New Year’s hor d’ourvres and order a few platters from the hotel restaurants.
The views over the Marina were beautiful, we sat outside the tropical grounds and enjoyed some red wine by the warm firepits. Then we headed back to our suite to pop the champagne cork watch the ball drop in New York City and other places around the world. Book your stay here>>
Other hotels and resorts we love with gorgeous views and a special ambience include:
Catamaran Resort in Pacific Beach
Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa on Coronado Island
Hotel del Coronado on Coronado Island
L’Auberge Del Mar in Del Mar
Build a Bonfire on the Beach for NYE in San Diego
This is perfect for those who love the outdoors, but don’t love the crowds. There’s always something fun about building a bonfire —on a beach —feet in the sand-listening to the ocean waves.
We’re fortunate that San Diego has so many beaches that allow bonfires.
So, layer up, pack your food and beverages, beach chairs, beach blankets, and head to one of our suggested beaches for warm bonfires and firepit fun. But arrive early to ensure you get your space as fire pits on San Diego beaches are on a first-come-first-served basis. More information can be found in this beach bonfire guide from California Beaches.
Coronado Beach- located near the Hotel del Coronado.
Glorietta Bay Beach Park- on the San Diego Bay side of Coronado Island.
Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas.
Ocean Beach City Beach- in Ocean Beach.
Oceanside Harbor Beach- located in front of Oceanside City Harbor.
Oceanside Pier View South Beach.
Playa Pacific Park in Mission Bay-cozy little beach park on the east side of Mission Bay.
Shelter Island Shoreline Park-located at 2210 Shelter Island Drive.
Silver Strand State Beach- on Highway 75 in Coronado.
Ski Beach Park in Mission Bay- located on Vacation Isle.
South Shores Park-located at the end of Mission Bay with views of Sea World
Tourmaline Surfing Beach Park- on the border of Pacific Beach and La Jolla districts of San Diego.
Order in and Celebrate the New Years in PJs
Some folks just prefer a quiet candlelit New Year’s Eve celebration at home where they can curl up next to a fireplace in their favorite pajamas and watch celebrations from around the world on TV.
While keeping it simple, how about ordering out some of your favorite cuisine from one of our awesome San Diego restaurants? We’ve listed some of our favorite restaurants available for delivery on December 31st (we can vouch for these as we’ve dined there).
However, options online are impressive, so, you’ll likely find something that suits your palate and the occasion.
Asti Ristorante– Downtown/Gaslamp
Catania– La Jolla
Civico 1845-Little Italy
CUCINA urbana– Banker’s Hill
Duke’s -La Jolla
Great Maple– San Diego-Hillcrest
Herringbone– La Jolla
Isola Little Italy– Little Italy
Osteria Panevino- Downtown/Gaslamp
Pacific Coast Grill– Cardiff by the Sea
Puesto– La Jolla and at the Headquarters- Downtown/Gaslamp
Stake Chophouse & Bar– Coronado
The Barrel Room– Rancho Bernardo
The Red Door-Mission Hills
The Fishery– Pacific Beach
The Smoking Goat Restaurant– North Park
Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub– Oceanside
We hope some of these suggestions will be helpful on the different ways San Diegans can spend New Year’s Eve.
However you choose to ring in 2021, stay safe, happy, healthy, and enjoy toasting in the New Year. Whether it’s with a glass of bubbly, or apple cider.
Cheers!
New Years Eve San Diego: Fireworks, Events & More was written by Noreen Kompanik for San Diego Explorer.
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Hello I thought I was reading an article from last year. I do not understand why you would make these recommendations right now. The medical field is suffering to take care of us. And I’m sorry but you seem so blasé for making these recommendations
Telling people to go out and do these things??!!
I guess everyone is entitled to there opinion. And there’s free press. But far as I see this to be considered stupid press.
Hi Bridget,
so sorry you don’t like the article. The article was first published on December 3, before the last shutdown in San Diego and it also includes a disclaimer that not all things to do are open because of the current health advisory. Thank you for your understanding!
Hi Bridget,
As the author of the article, I can assure you that at the time of posting, as Maria said, all information was accurate and up to date. I know it’s been difficult as everything is such a moving target this year with COVID-19. I hope the information is helpful for you in planning a much different New Year in 2021. I know we’re all looking forward to that as well!