ALAMEDA - USS Hornet New Year's Eve Dance Party. Join the fun aboard the historic aircraft carrier ship, with a heated hangar with three dance floors. 3 O'Clock Jump Big Band classics are featured at USS Hornet New Year's Eve Party. Wear period costumes or attire, enjoy a silent auction, food and drinks, dance lessons (swing, rhumba, cha cha, and waltz), Time: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cost: $48-90. Location: 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda, CA. Tickets, call:(510) 521-8448 X282. hornetevents.com

ALTADENA - Christmas Tree Lane. Event runs nightly through Jan. 6, 2010

AVALON - New Year's Eve Party. Catalina Island's world-famous Casino Ballroom will take guests back to the heyday of big bands. The Gala includes a buffet dinner, dancing, champagne split, one bottle of wine in a specially engraved bottle (#11 in a series), and party favors. A photographer will be onsite. The full band will perform from 9 pm to 1 am. Coat & Tie are required; Black Tie is optional.  The Yachtsmen, a 17-piece "big band" will perform. Time: Dinner reservations will be accepted for 7, 7:30, 8, or 8:30 pm. Guests will be admitted into the Ballroom no more than 15 minutes before their reservation time. Guests arriving early may wait in the Marine Bar on the Mezzanine, where seating and beverages will be available. The buffet dinner will be available until approximately 9:15 pm. Reservations for this year's Gala are $175.00 per person. Sponsored by Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce (310) 510-1520. CatalinaChamber.com

BENICIA -  House of Floyd - Pink Floyd Tribute Concert. New Years Eve Fundraiser for Benicia students participating in Educational Travel Program. This is a non-alcohol event for all ages. Time: 8 p.m. Cost: TBA. Location: Benicia High School - Hayley Horn Auditorium Benicia, CA Location: 1101 Military Ave. West, Benicia, CA. bookshopbenicia.com

BIG BEAR LAKE - Torchlight Parade rings in the New Year's from the slopes of Snow Summit. Many activities and parties are open to the public in the mountain resort.

BODEGA BAY - New Years Eve Party. Annual NY Party at The Inn at the Tides includes 4-course dinner, wine with each course, midnight toast, party favors, music (DJ) and dancing. Reception is no-host bar. 800 Hwy One, Bodega Bay, Bodega Bay, CA. Cost: $125 per person (tax & tip not included).  Time: 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. Call: (707) 875.2751. Hotel reservations separate

BRENTWOOD - Brentwood Holiday On Ice. Twinkling outdoor light-filled rink under a big tent. Located next to the Streets of Brentwood shops, public ice skating goes to Jan. 10. Cost: $10, $5 skate rental. Hours: 12:30 to 9:30 p.m.  Location: Call: (925) 513-1702. brentwoodholidayonice.com

CARLSBAD - Kids' New Year's Eve. Starting at 3 p.m., the holiday excitement continues with Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party featuring live music. At 6 PM (12 AM KST—Kid Standard Time) countdown to the New Year with an all new 2009 LEGO “Brick Drop” and a firework show with party favors and noisemakers!

CORONADO - New Year’s Eve gala, Romance Through the Decades. The evening includes a cocktail reception in the magnificent Crown Room, a lavish dinner in the oceanfront Ballroom, dancing to the contemporary sounds of local favorites, The Mar Dels, and a special champagne toast at midnight. Location: The Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, CA hoteldel.com

GARDEN GROVE - The Glory of Christmas Musical.  A blend of Christmas carols, pageantry, live animals, flying angels, and special effects unfold in the nativity story. Location: Crystal Cathedral, 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove, CA. Time: varies. Cost: $20-50. Call: 714-54-GLORY (714-544-5679) or 877-544-5679. crystalcathedral.org

GROVELAND - New Year's Rockin' Eve. The Groveland celebrates New Years Eve with a dinner and party featuring live music from the Satellites at Yosemite National Park. Time: 7 p.m. Location:
The Groveland Hotel at Yosemite National Park, 18767 Main Street, Groveland. Call:  (209) 962-4000. groveland.com

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Holiday Gondola Rides. Offered from 11 a.m. to Midnight. Location: Peter's Landing, Huntington Harbour, Huntington Beach, CA.

HUNTINGTON BEACH -  A New Year's Gala Jazz Concert. Smooth Jazz Concert features DJ Jonathan Phillips who will help you keep your groove on with his tasteful selections. The party that goes to a midnight countdown with Kenny Lattimore, Chante Moore and Kim Waters.  Dancing will continue until 1:30 a.m. Cost: $135 concert only; $175 dinner and concert. Location: Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA. Call: (714) 377-7574. bbjazz.com

LONG BEACH - Crystal Ice Skating Outdoor Rink. New in 2009 for the holidays, daily skating at The Pike is held in the grass area. Ice skate session receives parking validation.  Time: Mon-Friday 11am to 11pm; Sat. & Sunday 10am to 12am. Cost:? Location: Shoreline Drive & Queensway Bay, Long Beach, CA. thepikeatlongbeach.com

LOS ANGELES - Downtown on Ice at Pershing Square. Biggest rink and cheapest price, according to the city of Los Angeles Parks & Rec department, which invites you to come skate amidst the skyscrapers. Time: Monday -Thursday 12 Noon to 10 p.m.; Friday thru Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: $6/ 1 hour rink time, $2 skate rental. Location: Pershing Square, Los Angeles, CA. laparks.org

OAKLAND - Oakland ZooLights. Oakland ZooLights is an annual event in which the public comes after dark and can walk along a path to see lighted displays with animal and zoo themes. Time: Friday - Sunday: 5:30pm – 9:30pm; Monday – Thursday: 5:30pm – 9:00pm. Cost: $7.50 Adult; $5.50 child. Location:  9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland, CA.Call: (510) 632-9525. oaklandzoo.org

OXNARD -  Christmas Tree Lane. Take a magical drive through Henry T. Oxnard Historical District, which includes homes decked out and all aglow for visitors to enjoy. Time: 6 to 10 p.m. Location: "F" and "G" Streets Between Fifth and Palm, Oxnard, CA.

REDONDO BEACH - Seaside Ice Rink is open for outdoor beach ice skating next to the sunshine and sand. seasideice.com

SACRAMENTO - Midtown Ice Skating Rink. Seasonal outdoor ice rink offers vacation fun for everyone. Time: 10am-10pm 7 days/week. Cost: $8; $5 age 12 and under. $2 skate rental. Location:  20th & K Streets, Sacramento, CA. Call: (916) 442-1500. ExploreMidtown.org

SAN FRANCISCO - New Year's Eve Gala with the San Francisco Symphony. Ring in the New Year with a grand celebration! Pre-concert entertainment begins at 8 pm, with the concert at 9 pm. Enjoy party favors, complimentary champagne, savories, and desserts. Dance the night away on stage in Davies Symphony Hall or in the First Tier. When the clock strikes midnight, 2010 balloons will cascade down from above. Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $80-$195. Location: Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, Civic Center, San Francisco, CA. Call: (415) 552-8000. sfsymphony.org

SAN FRANCISCO - Union Square Ice Skating Rink. Open daily through Jan. 18, be surrounded by your favorite stores and hotels in Union Square's outdoor holiday ice event. Opens daily at 10 a.m. Cost: $9.50 adult, $4.50 child, skate rental $4. unionsquareshop.com

SAN JOSE - Downtown Ice. Visit the Circle of the Palms for seasonal, festive ice skating downtown. Time: 11 a.m. to Midnight 10 p.m.  $15 adult, $13 age 12 and younger-- includes ice time and rental skates (skate sizes range from toddler 8 to men's 13). Skate all you want first-come, first-serve...no in and out privileges. Circle of Palms, 120 S. Market St. between San Jose Museum of Art and Fairmont Hotel, San Jose, California. Call: (408) 279-1775 ext. 45 or sjdowntown.com

SANTA ANA -  The Science of Gingerbread. Kids' imaginations can run free as they explore gingerbread, and learn that there's science in every bite! The annual gingerbread exhibit is one of many exhibits such as Mexico: Festival of Toys, Head to Toe, and The True Story of Bats. Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: $9.95 - 12.95 approx. Get Tickets. Location: Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705. discoverycube.org

SANTA CRUZ - Antsy McClain and The Trailer Park Troubadours, concert. Time: 8 p.m. Location: The Rio Theatre - Santa Cruz, CA. $25 and $32. Tickets: ticketweb.com

SANTA ANA -  Noon Year's Eve. Ring in the New Year early during Noon Year's Eve at Taco Bell Discovery Science Center ! We'll celebrate at noon with a countdown, balloon drop, ginger ale toast, music, activities and more! Free with paid admission and open to all ages! Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $9.95 - 12.95 Get Tickets. Location: Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705. discoverycube.org

SANTA MONICA - ICE at Santa Monica. Less than two blocks from the Third Street Promenade, the rink is open daily. Times: 10am-10pm weekdays, 10am-midnight on Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 31, 2010. Cost: $10 and includes rental skates. Location: Third Street Promenade at Arizona and 5th Street, Santa Monica, CA. downtownsm.com

SANTA MONICA - Nativity Scenes. A tradition since 1953, the Santa Monica Nativity Scenes include 14 life-size Nativity Scenes displaying events surrounding the birth of Christ on display along Ocean Avenue between Arizona Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard to January 2, 2010.

SANTA ROSA - Romp with the Beasts New Year's Eve. Safari West, a wild animal theme park, provides a wild habitat for ferocious fun!  Reservations required. Time: 6:30 p.m. Cost: $75/person. Location: 3115 Porter Creek Road Santa Rosa, CA. Call: (707) 579.2551. Book your hotel African cabin early.

SANTA ROSA - New Years Eve Celebration. Hilton Sonoma Wine Country rings in the New Year! Time: 6:30 p.m. - 1 a.m. Location: 3555 Round Barn Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA. Cost: call for price: (707) 569-5507.

TEMECULA - New Years Eve 20's Themed Gala. Guests greet the New Year with a  Gourmet feast, Champagne toast, and enchanted with a balloon drop. Roaring 20's theme and Faultline band. Thornton Winery, Time: 7:30 p.m. Price: $125/ person, plus tax & gratuity. Reservations: (951) 699-0099. Thornton Winery, 32575 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA. thorntonwine.com

TEMECULA - New Year's Eve on the Square. cityoftemecula.org

VALLEJO - Discovery Kingdom New Year's Eve Bash. Ring in 2010 at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom during this family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration. With live musical entertainment, dance parties, a countdown to midnight culminating in a world-class fireworks extravaganza, don't miss out on Northern California's only New Year's Eve theme park celebration. Time: 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Location: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo, CA. Cost: $44.99/Adult, $29.99/Child. Call: (707) 644-4000. sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/index.aspx

WALNUT CREEK - Downtown Walnut Creek on Ice. Ice skating rink outdoor. Fun for all ages.  Time: Open daily at 11 a.m. Cost: Mon-Thurs $11-15. Location: 1365 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, Ca. Call: ( 925) 935-7669. iceskatewalnutcreek.com