We’ve dutifully readied readers for parties and activities happening in downtown San Diego on the last night of 2024. The Sun’s popular New Year’s Eve Recommended list describes cool events in hotels, on boats, up on rooftops, and one dance party that drops the ball and wraps up at 9 a.m.
While you think about taking one last late look at your options, The Sun took to the city’s streets to ask locals what they actually planned to do.
We got a mix of reactions.
Nicklas Brandrup plans to be out that night and says you can’t wait too long for some ticketed events.
“Proper NYE, the show at PetCo Park is great,” says Brandrup, 34, an East Village resident originally from Denmark. “I think I’m going…but I haven’t booked my ticket. There’s a lot of ticketed events…and the demand for [events] outweighs the supply.”
East Village resident Candise Berry, 30, says that the best way to spend New Year’s night is to live like a tourist.
“I like to walk downtown and see what the tourists are doing,” Berry says.
She’s seen people line up for clubs like Mr. Tempo or Toro, and other spots in the Gaslamp Quarter. Berry’s not into the club scene, but knows she can find something exciting downtown, but also safe.
“My plan is to not get into too much,” she says. “People get crazy around New Year’s, such as shootings. You know, people who live on the streets, they might get a little riled up to do something extra.”
East Village resident Bryce Ashley, 49, will go out but plans to make an early night of it.
“For me, the best way to spend New Year’s in downtown San Diego is to have dinner in one of the restaurants,” Ashley says. “Callie [in East Village] is great. Then, I plan on watching the ball drop in New York [at midnight on the East Coast] at home on TV.”
Alayne Umscheid just moved downtown to East Village from North County and is looking for a place to have fun. (Note: New Year’s Eve Recommended.)
While everyone else is partying, Gaslamp Quarter resident Greg (declined to give his last name) will be working.
“I’m a paramedic and I work on the holiday,” he says. “I’m spending New Year’s from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. working overnight to make sure everybody’s safe.”
FYI: MTS will operate free, extra late-night service on all busses and trolley lines on New Year’s Eve, with service running past 2 a.m. SDSun
