New Year's revelers will have choices aplenty around San Diego tonight as they ring out the old and welcome 2013.
Restaurants and nightclubs countywide are offering special New Year's Eve events and packages.
One of the larger events will be "Big Night San Diego New Year's Eve 2012'' at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. The event runs from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. and includes more than a dozen bands and DJs on multiple floors.
The House of Blues will present a New Year's Eve block party with several bands and dancing in downtown San Diego. A similar event, OMFG! NYE 2012, will take place at the Valley View Casino Center on Sports Arena Boulevard.
A gala to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Health San Diego and Mental Health America will take place at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive. The event is headlined by county Treasurer- Tax Collector Dan McAllister and San Diego police Chief William Lansdowne.
SeaWorld San Diego will offer a fireworks display following its "Christmas With Shamu'' show, which is expected to end around 8:50 p.m.
The Viejas Casino has created a five-story ball drop to emulate the one at Times Square in New York. Free festivities start at 7 p.m. and include food and music.
For those who have overindulged, the North County Transit District announced it will not require tickets on its buses or trains beginning at 6 p.m.
A special southbound Coaster train will depart the Oceanside Transit Center at 8:30 p.m., with the return trip leaving downtown San Diego at 12:45 a.m. on Jan. 1, according to the NCTD.
The transit agency said passengers can then board an eastbound Sprinter train that will depart Oceanside at 2:03 a.m.
The Metropolitan Transit Agency said its last trolleys on New Year's Eve will depart downtown San Diego before midnight, mostly around 11:45 p.m. Several bus lines will operate past midnight. Schedules are online at sdmts.com.
