3 Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in San Diego

Green beer, Irish whiskey, and bagpipes are only the beginning of San Diego’s St. Patrick’s Day goings on this Saturday, March 17. There are chances to hear live music, take in San Diego’s impressive St. Paddy’s parade, and even burn some calories with a run along the ocean. (It may be a celebration of Ireland’s patron saint, but this is Southern California, after all.) Here are a few of the best ways to go green this Saturday.

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St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival

Where: Park West neighborhood and Balboa Park

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

San Diego’s annual St. Paddy’s parade—the biggest west of the Mississippi—kicks off at 10:30 a.m. on Fifth Avenue and Laurel Street. More than 120 floats, bands, and other parade entrants will strut their stuff north up Fifth Avenue, to Upas Street, then over to Sixth Avenue, where they will head south to Juniper Street. Following the parade, the festival takes place in Balboa Park from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m., with entertainment on three stages, including Irish step dancers, folk singers, and other bands.

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Where: Gaslamp Quarter

When: 4 p.m. to midnight

There’s more to the festivities in the Gaslamp Quarter than green beer and Irish whiskey. Three outdoor stages will feature performances from Everlast, Too Short, several DJs, and Irish and Celtic bands. General admission tickets are $55 through March 16. Tickets will be limited the day of, so order in advance.

St. Patrick’s Day 10K

Where: Mission Bay Park

When: 7:55 a.m.

Get an early start on the day’s festivities with a run along the beach at Mission Bay Park. Finish up with pizza and beer from local craft breweries. For beginner runners, there’s also a 2- and 4-mile fun run starting at 7:45 a.m.

3 Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in San Diego

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