Char2003

Our family of 4 - including a 17 year old daugher and a 13 year old son - will be traveling to San Diego from the deep south to spend next week. We're arriving on December 31st and would like to find some kind of New Year's celebration the entire family would enjoy. Any suggestions? We're also thinking about driving to LA one day. We've never been so we'd just like to get a taste of the city. How long would the drive be and what time of day would be best to avoid the most traffic? Also, if you only had a day, what would you want to see there? Thanks!

DebitNM

Gas Lamp district is a fun place on NYE. Have dinner and wander about; there were fireworks in 2004 [in the harbor area near Gas Lamp] when we were there.

http://www.gaslamp.org/newyears06.php


Or look on here for various events and ideas:

http://www.sandiego.com/newyears_events.jsp

Hope this helps...
Debi

L84SKY

I know some people who love to go here on NYE with their children.
www.firstnightescondido.com
It's very family orientated.

Have fun

Barbara

Where will you be staying?

I can't find anything about fireworks this year. I think the First Night celebration is probably your best bet, but it is a bit of a drive to Escondido and there wouldn't be any champagne for mom and dad. The restaurants in the Gaslamp tend to have special menus for New Year's Eve and may get booked up. Here's a list, hope it helps:

http://sandiego.about.com/od/nightlife/a/sdnewyears.htm

Char2003

Thanks for all the ideas! My daughter had requested (several times) that we find some fun way to ring in the new year. We're staying in Mission Bay and renting a car so driving isn't a problem.