Best New Year's Eve Parties Near The Peninsula

Say "so long and goodbye" to 2012 and ring in 2013 with friends or family at some of these most popular parties, bars and restaurants in the Peninsula area. Get your tickets or make reservations soon, as most of these special digs and gala happenings will book up and sell out quickly.

www.theinauguration.eventbrite.com

The Inauguration - NYE Black Tie Celebration
Four Seasons Silicon Valley
2050 University Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 566-1200
www.theinauguration.eventbrite.com

Price: $50-$150

The NYE Black Tie Celebration will bring together professional designers, fashionistas, socialites, models, entrepreneurs and all the hippest partygoers from the Bay Area. Hit up this five-star hotel in the Silicon Valley and get ready for a spectacular evening of food, fun and red carpet treatment complete with a fashion runway show, valet parking, VIP table service, photographers and special room rates. For more information, contact luxuryrapsf@gmail.com.

St. Stephens Green New Year's Eve Costume Party
223 Castro St.
Mountain View, CA 94041
(650) 964-9151
www.sfstation.com

Price: $10

Partygoers need to dress in costume for this gala event. The benefit of dressing up is the chance to win a prize of $500 for "Best Outfit." DJ Cesar will play beats and lively music while complimentary party favors are served to guests. A special dinner menu will be served from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and cover charge is $10 starting at 10 p.m. Call soon to make Stephens Green your place for New Year's Eve!

Nola
535 Ramona St.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 328-2722
www.nolas.com

Feel like spending New Year's Eve in New Orleans but can't spend money on travel? The next best place to celebrate is NOLA. This restaurant's Cajun/Creole-style food and atmosphere will have you thinking you've been magically transported into the French Quarter. Try the Louisiana burger, the famous 'Hurricane' drink or Nola's authentic gumbo and you'll be ringing in the new year with a super-sized grin from ear to ear.

Mervyn's Lounge
236 Castro St.
Mountain View, CA 94041
(650) 938-2968

Cheap drinks, friendly people, cash only, juke box, great bartenders; what more could you want for a casual New Year's Eve night out with friends? Mervyn's Lounge is fantastically cheap but not easy to find. This charming little dive bar is located behind a Chinese restaurant. The lounge isn't marked except for the sign reading "Cocktails/Lotto." What you see is what you get. Along with cocktails and lotto, you can expect beer, fun times, a happy wallet and a great little bar to visit year after year.

Related: Best Restaurants With Live Music In The Peninsula

"Rock and Soul" in the New Year with Houserockers and DJ Dinero
Fox Theatre
2223 Broadway St.
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 369-7770
www.foxrwc.com

Price: $35-$85

Hurry – these tickets will soon sell out! The Houserockers are a popular Los Gatos rock and soul band that was recently named "Best Cover Band in the Bay Area." This group plays hit songs with its guitars, bass, drums and keys and five-piece horn section. To find out more about this band and the tunes you'll hear, visit the group's website at svhouserockers.com. DJ Dinero is also a popular musician who will turn tables this New Year's Eve at the Fox Theatre. For more information on DJ Dinero, visit djdineroproductions.com.

Related: Best Trivia Night Bars In The Peninsula

Head to CBS San Francisco's Best Of page for more local tips on family fun, shopping, nightlife, food, culture and more!

Kelly Gullo is a freelance writer in San Francisco, CA. Kellys topics are about music and nightlife. Kelly has also written a variety of articles on health and dieting and topics related to the environment. Kelly has a degree in journalism and public relations from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.