In a city like San Francisco, it’s not difficult to find a good time. From karaoke bars to dance clubs, from plush lounges to dive bars. Music pours into the streets of the Mission, the Castro, South of Market, North Beach and even the Financial District. Finding a place to get down is easy, but knowing what kind of music you’ll be getting down to takes a little work, especially on a big night like New Year’s Eve. This year we did the work for you and compiled a list of eleven events to help count it down and beyond. Happy New Year!

1. SOLID GOLD NYE & TRIPLE CROWN CLOSING PARTY

DJ M3, Om Records, and Solid Gold Jacuzzi are teaming up to throw a New Year’s party for the ages. In 2009 Om Records and Solid Gold Jacuzzi collaborated on a Lovefest float that boasted Groove Armada and a DJ booth on a forty foot crane lift. You can only imagine what type of production they have in store for this one. Not only is it New Year’s Eve but it is also the end of an era as The Triple Crown will be closing its doors for good. Goodbye DJ Nights and Taco Tuesdays! Gold attire is encouraged and there will be a champagne toast at midnight.

2. NYE 2011 WITH MARKUS SCHULZ @ RUBY SKYE

When Markus Schulz came to Ruby Skye last February the crowd was chanting his name as his set came to a close.  The #8 DJ in the world (DJ Mag Top 100) crafts a unique blend of music both new and old into his sets and is known for his distinct style of trance.  Spundae and Mixed Elements have a lot in store for this celebration, including aerial acrobats, confetti rain, a balloon drop as well as an array of culinary options.

3. SF NYE BALL 2011

With three rooms offering different genres of music there is surely something for everyone at City Hall. Colette headlines the house stage with her incredible singing and beat dropping while Zhaldee & Chris Clouse will throw down a rare 2x4 DJ Set and LIVE performance. There will also be a balloon drop and champagne toast and a special performance by the King & Queen of Carnaval.

4. 11: NYE WITH MARK FARINA

The Factory (formerly Sound Factory) will hold a ten hour event that will span across three dance areas and three floors with plenty of lounge space and an outdoor smoking area. Mark Farina will spin an extra special 3 hour set fresh off of his Mushroom Jazz 7 World Tour. Marques Wyatt will also be making a performance in the main room, while electro, downtempo, mash-ups and hip hop will also be spun throughout.

5. SEA OF DREAMS GALAXSEA NYE 2011

It seems like for the past few years, Sea of Dreams has been the coveted New Year’s Eve party in the bay area. With top level talent, like this year’s Thievery Corporation, Mimosa and Beats Antique, and jaw dropping production by groups like Anon Salon, The Do Lab, Opel and the Hookahdome, you can understand why. This year, Thievery Corporation brings their 12 piece live band, Mimosa brings his banging west coast bass and Beats Antique comes in hot off their cross country tour. With the amount of performers on the lineup, costumed guests, decorations and artwork and the magnitude of this party, essentially Anon Salon, Sunset, and An-Ten-Nae brought the festival indoors, only there is no camping! But finding a place to take a nap should be easy amongst the enormous Concourse Exhibition Center. Party goes until 5am, just in time to get breakfast before the sun comes up.

6. NYE 2011 - TEMPLE OF LIGHT IN 3D

Temple Nightclub will host a New Year’s Eve party thick with fog and multicolored lazers and a one of a kind 3-D Light Show. The mastermind behind Temple, Paul Hemming, will headline the main room where he’s sure to shake the walls and your booty with an array of dance music from house to electro and maybe even some techno. If you want to show up early for dinner, Prana, Temple’s restaurant is serving up 4-course pre-fixe dinners that include admission to Paul’s 3-Dimensional world.

7. COSMIC VOYAGE FEATURING DONALD GLAUDE

Vessel invites you to “Rocket into the Outer Reaches of Darkest Space this New Years Eve.”  San Diego based DJ and producer Donald Glaude brings his talents north to the heart of Union Square to pilot the ship. With a state of the art LED lighting system and award-winning Funktion One sound system, “The Hardest Working American DJ” is sure to make the dance floor “rocket” off. Glaude will be spinning until 2am, but the party doesn’t stop until 6.

8. STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO WITH STEVE AOKI

Ever dreamt of taking a trip through time to see San Francisco grow from the Gold Rush era of 1849 to present day and even further into the future? Well that’s exactly what will be happening at the historic Fort Mason Festival Pavilion this New Year’s Eve. Complete with beautiful panoramic views of the bay from Alcatraz to the Golden Gate, front row seats to the fireworks show and the musical droppings of house music DJ/Producer and global icon Steve Aoki. This is a 21+ party which features a premium hosted bar and midnight champagne toast.

9. RESOLUTION NEW YEARS EVE 2011

Feel like getting dressed up fancy on New Year’s Eve but still want to get down and boogie? Stroll down the red carpet entrance past the frenzy of paparazzi on your way to RESOLUTION New Year’s Eve at LOT46 Nightclub & Lounge. Once safely inside you’ll be free to roam between 3 rooms and 2 separate building where there will be two Video DJ’s projecting all night.  You don't want to miss out on the live drummer/DJ combo of AJ Orbit & J$tylee the Drummer and much more music to keep your feet moving.  Midnight will showcase two massive balloon drops. Upscale fashionable dress code will be enforced, so dress to impress.

10. NEW YEARS RAVE-O-LUTION (January 1st)

The good folks at Geomagnetic, Galaxy Unknown Records and Plural Productions are throwing their first MASSIVE of 2011 on New Years Day. These guys are no strangers to throwing some of the best parties in town. Once you roll out of bed and into the New Year, roll down to Kelly’s Mission Rock to continue your celebration. There will be four different stages that will showcase a half dozen or more genres of dance music to help blast you into 2011. With such bay area favorites as Random, Blix Cannon, John Beaver, Dr. Spook, Forest Green, and Carlos Alfonzo, this is a great way for the locals of the Rave scene to come together and celebrate the passing of another year and the start of a fresh one.

11. LAIDBACK LUKE @ RUBY SKYE (January 1st)

Holland’s Laidback Luke comes to Ruby Skye to play on New Year’s Day. Luke is known for his electro house remixes and savvy production skills and this year was voted #17 DJ in the world (DJ Mag Top 100). He likes getting the party started, so who better for getting the New Year started?