Clubs, hotels host myriad New Year's Eve parties

By: PAM KRAGEN - Staff Writer | Friday, December 23, 2005 1:58 PM PST ∞

If ringing in the new year with Dick Clark and the televised revelers in Times Square isn't your idea of fun, there are plenty of parties around town Saturday evening to kick off 2006 with a bang.

The county's biggest New Year's Eve party is First Night Escondido, an all-ages, alcohol-free street party in downtown Escondido (see story on the GO! cover). But if you'd rather do your partying early, indoors or with a glass of champagne, here's a list of New Year's Eve parties taking place Saturday. Ticket prices often go up the closer you get to the date, and sellouts are expected, so reserve your spot early.

Times Square West ---- The Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine hotel hosts its annual New Year's Eve party with its own miniature Times Square celebration, complete with a lighted ball descending the Aventine's tower, and live jazz performances on four stages with Richard Elliot, Peter White, Jeff Golub, Steve Cole and many more; festivities begin at 7 p.m. Saturday; 3777 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla; $125, party only; room packages begin at $599; (858) 552-6000 or www.timessquarewest.com.

Big Night San Diego ---- One of the largest New Year's Eve celebrations in San Diego County, this indoor party is catered revelers in their 20s, 30s and 40s, with 13 party areas featuring DJs spinning hip-hop and techno and live music by Common Sense, Flock of 80's, Lady Dottie and the Diamonds, Rookie Card and Blasphemous Guitars, food and drinks; 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel Ballroom, San Diego; $100; (800) 457-4463.

Gala on the Midway ---- The Midway aircraft carrier, docked at San Diego's Navy Pier, is hosting a unique New Year's Eve event beginning at 8 p.m. Enjoy a gourmet dinner by Peartrees Catering and watch the city lights while sipping champagne on the ship's flight deck; Navy Pier, San Diego; $185; (619) 237-9905.

The Dragon Ball ---- The San Diego Museum of Man hosts its first-ever New Year's Eve masquerade ball with four DJs, circus-style entertainment, dinner buffet, ; 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Museum of Man, 1350 El Prado, Balboa Park; $60; www.mergeEvents.com.

Kids' New Year's Eve CeleBRICKtion at Legoland ---- Legoland California theme park hosts a child-friendly event where the new year will be rung in at 6 p.m. with children's activities, live music by the Fijis, dancing and the dropping of a huge Lego brick ball to mark the new year, followed by fireworks; Legoland California, 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad; party is free with paid admission; $44.95, adults; $37.95, ages 3 to 12; (760) 918-5346 or www.legoland.com.

Pine Hills dinner party ---- The Pine Hills Lodge in Julian hosts gourmet dinner and dancing; appetizers from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday in the hotel's pub, followed by dinner from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and dancing to live music until the clock strikes midnight; reservations are required; 2960 La Posada Way, Julian; $89.95; (760) 765-1100.

Gaslamp rooftop party ---- Altitude, a rooftop, open-air bar on the 22nd floor of the Marriott Hotel in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter is the scene of a New Year's Eve party with gourmet dinner, live music, champagne and dancing, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday; $180; (619) 446-6089.

New Year's Eve Ball ---- The Doubletree Mission Valley's party features 10 DJs, five dance floors, four turntables, seven bars and more; Doubletree Mission Valley Hotel, 7450 Hazard Drive, San Diego; tickets start at $30; www.djhere.com.

New Year's Eve Extravaganza ---- La Jolla Hilton Torrey Pines hosts its annual "Hollywood Ball" with superstar DJ Christopher Lawrence and a dozen others, five dance floors and outdoor areas; 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.; 10950 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla; $85; (858) 558-1500.

House of Blues San Diego New Year's Eve Party ---- Crooner Chris Isaak headlines the nightclub's first New Year's party, featuring dinner, champagne toast, confetti cannon and balloon drop; 9 p.m.; House of Blues San Diego, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego; $125; (619) 299-2583.

Dick's Last Resort's New Year's Eve ---- The Gaslamp Quarter nightclub hosts a holiday party with dinner, champagne, live music by Straight Six and party favors; dinner seating begins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday; 345 Fourth Ave., San Diego; $49.50 and up; (619) 231-9100.

New Year's Eve Folk Music Bash ---- Acoustic Expressions hosts an alcohol-free, pre-midnight folkie party with a happy hour, buffet dinner, open mike music, desserts and out the door by 10:30 p.m.; 2852 University Ave., San Diego; $20; reserve by Tuesday, (619) 280-9035.

Cruise into the new year ---- Hornblower Yachts hosts a floating New Year's Eve party aboard its party boats; boarding begins at 8 p.m.; four-course dinner, live music, dancing and unlimited champagne; 1066 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego; $125; (888) 467-6256.

National Comedy Theatre Spectacular ---- The San Diego-based improv comedy troupe presents live comedy skits, catered food, an after-party with the cast and midnight countdown; 9:30 p.m.; 3717 India St., San Diego; $59; (619) 295-4999.