California Corner

Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

SAN DIEGO--Masquerade your way into 1993 at the eighth annual New Year’s Eve Masked Ball. This year’s celebration, “Get Jazzed!,” is 8:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Dec. 31 at the San Diego Convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Drive. Saxophonist Richard Elliot and keyboardist Dan Siegel play jazz, the Cat-illacs present vintage rock, and rock band Shaunte plays Top 40 tunes. An international buffet is 8:30-10:30 p.m. Other featured festivities include fortune tellers, games and a midnight countdown. The event is black-tie optional, and masks are encouraged. $50 in advance; $60 at the door. Sponsored by the San Diego League; proceeds benefit 12 local children’s charities. Special rates are offered at nearby hotels, and overnight babysitting is available. (619) 542-0124.

SAN FRANCISCO--Join the Sugar Plum Fairies in bidding farewell to 1992 at the Opera House. A special 9 p.m. Dec. 31 performance of “The Nutcracker” by the San Francisco Ballet is followed by a midnight celebration, to include champagne, sweets and live Motown music. $30-$95. The Opera House is at 301 Van Ness Ave. at the corner of Grove Street. U.S. 101 north to the Civic Center/Ninth Street exit; right on Ninth Street across Market Street, then left on Grove and go two blocks. (415) 703-9400.

FULLERTON--Alcohol-free family festivities are planned for the second annual First Night Fullerton, 7 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31 in downtown Fullerton. Activities take place on and around Harbor Boulevard and Wilshire Avenue, and include live music by the Del Rubio Triplets; theater, dance and magic; artists and storytellers; food booths and a fireworks finale. $5 in advance; $7 at the door. Interstate 5 south to California 91 East; take the Harbor Boulevard exit north to Fullerton. Park at Transportation Center, Commonwealth Avenue and Pomona Street. (714) 738-6545.

ROSEVILLE--Monte Carlo-style casino games are featured at the New Year’s Eve Black and White Ball, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at Placer Village, 151 N. Sunrise Ave. Dinner is served and live dance music is played until 2 a.m. Sponsored by the Roseville Chamber of Commerce. Interstate 80 north to the Douglas Street exit; go east to the first light, then turn left onto Sunrise Avenue. $45 per person. (916) 783-8136.

CARMEL--There is more Auld Lang Syne to be had at the New Year’s Eve Black and White Ball at the Quail Lodge, 8205 Valley Greens Drive. The seventh annual soiree features a cocktail party, followed by a five-course dinner, dancing to a live orchestra and a champagne toast at midnight. $155 per person. California 1 north to the Carmel Valley Road exit, go east 3 1/2 miles; the lodge is on the right. For reservations, call (408) 624-1581, ext. 286.