It’s that time of year where everything is turning green—your trees, your plants, and your beer. St. Patrick’s Day is almost here, so whether you like to party under the sun, next to the spotlight, or over a plate of food, we’ve found all the best ways to celebrate the luck of the Irish in San Diego.
If you like to be outside…
Burn some calories on the Saturday before the holiday dedicated to pints of Guinness. On March 14, head over to Mission Bay for an early morning jaunt around the bay, starting at 7:45 a.m. As you’re panting and sweating, just know that pizza and beer will be waiting for you at the finish line.
Experience a traditional Irish festival and parade complete with music, marching bands, Irish food, and dancing. The parade will start March 14 at 10:30 a.m. on Fifth Avenue at Laurel Street with 120 parade entries marching by. Keep an eye out for horses, police and fire department units, dance groups, and even Irish Setters.
If you like to drink…
Following the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in Balboa Park, head over to The Corner Drafthouse for some corned beef, Jameson, and a jig. This event starts on March 14 with the party raging on until March 17. So stop in to enjoy one of the 70 beers on tap, including Guinness and Harp, and indulge in some corned beef sliders.
Indulge in Irish delicacies at the Vessel Restaurant and Bar, an eatery located at the Kona Kai Resort and Spa. The three-course dinner will feature Irish-inspired dishes like the 12-hour stout braised lamb shank or chicken Wellington, each paired with Teeling’s whiskeys. The dinner will happen on Tuesday, March 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. and costs $75 per person.
If you like to party…
Don your green attire and head to the Gaslamp Quarter on March 14 to party like the Irish at one of San Diego’s largest St. Patrick’s Day block party. Take a swig of your green beer or Irish whiskey libation as you make your way through three stages of live music and six blocks covered with over 50,000 square feet of green AstroTurf.
Take your celebrations to the bay this St. Patty’s Day. Set sail on the William D. Evans at 8:30 from the Bahia Resort Hotel and sip on $6 Irish whiskey drinks to get in the holiday spirit. Early bird tickets start at $15.
If you like to eat…
Have a craving for traditional Irish grub? At Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern, they’re serving up a corned beef St. Patrick’s Day special that’s only available on March 17. This sandwich comes with spicy slaw, Russian Dressing, dill pickle, Dijon mustard, and a side of fries. Don’t forget to drink up by selecting one of their many craft beers on tap or a shot of Irish Whiskey.
Give your seafood cravings a touch of Irish flair at The Oceanaire. For the special occasion, the restaurant is creating a corned beef-style opah served with butter-poached fingerling potatoes, balsamic caramelized Brussel sprouts, candied carrots, and house fermented sriracha gravy.
A good beer is essential on St. Patrick’s Day. Make your way over to the Bier Garden of Encinitas to sample their selection of 32 draft beers on tap, guaranteed to keep the brews flowing from day to night.
If you want to try something a little different on St. Patty’s Day, opt for the plant-based Mrs. Goldfarb’s Unreal Reuben sandwich at Mendocino Farms. The vegetarian sandwich includes plant-based corned beef, smokey 1000 island, apple-celery root slaw, housemade bread and butter pickles, and Havarti cheese on panini-pressed rye bread.
A Guide to St. Patrick’s day 2020 in San Diego
