Fun Activities for St. Patrick’s Day in San Diego
Updated Feb 07, 2024
Céad Míle Fáilte—a hundred thousand welcomes—to a day in which all Irish and Non-Irish come together, hand in hand, and drive the snakes from their hearts and their town. That’s right, it’s St. Patrick’s Day, the only day of the year with a mistletoe equivalent, “Kiss me, I’m Irish.” St Patrick’s Day in San Diego includes the St Patrick’s Day parade, green beer and corned beef, live music, and an Irish festival. You’ll find shamrock decorations throughout downtown San Diego and at the city’s most beloved venues.
Living in such a magnificent city, you’re probably wondering what San Diego has in store for you? St. Patrick’s Day San Diego events are bold and all-encompassing. They take over the city each year on St Patrick’s Day weekend, and you’re bound to experience an authentic Irish celebration. Our San Diego tours can help you find all of the city’s hidden St Patrick’s Day gems.
You’ve come to the right place. Another article especial, courtesy of the experts here at So Diego Tours, where each stop will feel like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY 5K RUN
Saturday, March 16, 2024 | 9 AM | Pacific Beach
Photo Courtesy: San Diego Running Co.
Get the green blood pumping bright and early at the Pacific Beach 5k (and 1k; for kids) Leprechaun Run. You know you’re going to be stuffing yourself silly with corned beef and mashed potatoes, so please, do yourself a favor and get the exercise over with now. Trust us, it’s much better than trying to burn calories after each shot. The non-stop music and drink tickets to the festivities will feel better after a hard run. There are runners of all types, some take the race seriously and want to win while others jog along to get their daily exercise in.
Although beer yoga is a thing now…
Anyways, this 5k put on by the San Diego Running Company will surely get you in the mood for a long day of Irish fun (and Irish Car Bombs). It is a celebration activity you won’t want to miss with or without your Tullamore dew whiskey. Bonus points for:
- Dressing up as a leprechaun
- Sporting green, yellow bow ties, or anything else festive
- Skipping and frolicking the entire race
- Downing a Guinness at the finish line (keep it safe though, people!)
Register here, if you’re game for one of the best St. Patrick’s Day events in San Diego. Looking for things to do in Pacific Beach afterward? When you’re finished with your run and the sun begins to go down, we recommend you visit a couple of Pacific Beach bars.
ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE SAN DIEGO
Saturday, March 16, 2024 | 9 AM | Balboa Park
In Balboa Park, every year, clover fields of joyful souls donning green, flat caps, kilts, and pipes crowd together to watch the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade San Diego. Here, you’ll get to learn about Irish culture and celebrate the Irish way with music, dancing, cuisine, and of course, with a pint in hand.
To offer a quick scope:
- Traditional Irish Food – Everybody knows that meat and potatoes are a big staple of Irish cuisine. Some traditional dishes include Stew, Boxty (which are potato pancakes), Colcannon (which is mashed potato, cabbage, and butter), Shepherds Pie, and Corned Beef.
- Traditional Irish Garm – The kilt, originally part of the Scottish wardrobe, was adopted by the Irish. Tweed vests, flat caps, leather boots, and bowties are all perfect garments to fit in at the parade.
- Traditional Irish Dance – Get ready to step to the beat of this treasured San Diego tradition. Irish step dance, or Riverdance, uses stomps, clicks, and taps of the feet to bring extra acoustics to the accompanying music.
See all this and more at Balboa Park on the 16th from 9 am to 6 pm.
SHAMROCK THE GASLAMP QUARTER
Saturday, March 16, 2024 | 2 PM – 11 PM | Gaslamp
Photos via ShamROCK Instagram
Paint the Gaslamp Quarter green this year by celebrating this legendary San Diego tradition. From 2pm until 11 pm, come tour the spectacular downtown transformation that is ShamROCK where 6 blocks become covered by 50,000-square-feet of green grass.
At this Irish frestival, you’ll find:
- The 2024 musical lineup of Skeplin, Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas, Finnegan Blue, Lexington Field, The Fooks, and the NA Scealaithe Irish Dancers.
- Daytime games
- Nighttime clubs and dancing
- Green beer and plenty of classic Irish drinks (yes, like whiskey)
It’s the block party of the year where leprechauns drink for free. Afterward, check out these fun things to do in downtown San Diego.
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As an interesting note—all ye lads and lasses might like to know—San Diego is home to quite a large Irish population. According to self-reported surveys through San Diego County, Irish is the third highest population demographic, coming in at about 268,000 people. If you were wondering where all the green appeared from, now you know there’s rich cultural identity and history hidden right in plain view.
To that end, why not spend this commemorative time learning a little more about the people and the city in which you live. That’s right, we’re talking about a San Diego tour—a booze- and food-filled walkabout where you can discover more about this sunshine city.
Among the city’s favorite tours are:
- Brothels, Bites & Booze – Down some of San Diego’s tastiest bites and booze while learning about the secret history of San Diego’s infamous red-light district. Plus, with this Gaslamp tour in San Diego, you’ll find yourself in the heart of all the St. Patty’s Day celebrations.
- Vino! Vino! Little Italy Wine Tour – Less than a ten-minute Uber ride from both the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the ShamROCK event is this Little Italy wine tour. Why not stay classy San Diego, and prep your evening with one of SoCal’s most eclectic wine tastings.
Check out our times and availability!
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY CRUISE
Speaking of iconic San Diego flair, want to experience a St. Patrick’s Day event that’s truly unique to San Diego? Consider a cruise around the bays and harbors of San Diego. Experience what makes this sunny city by the sea so attractive to people near and far by spotting whales, smelling the salty air, and of course, downing your favorite Irish whiskey in the process.
This midnight St. Patrick’s Day cruise is a strictly 21+ event, so be prepared to get a little wild. Boarding typically begins at 8:30 pm, is out to sea by 9:00 pm, and concludes at midnight. Check back to this link for updated 2024 info and snag your tickets asap!
CHASE YOUR OWN PINT OF GOLD
In addition to the many St. Patrick’s Day festivities and Irish faire around San Diego, there are a wide array of Irish-inspired restaurants, bars, and pubs that provide a place to celebrate the luck of the Irish!
The Field: Grab your best green and celebrate at The Field all weekend long. On Saturday, get the party started early by joining other rugby fans watching a few games of the Six Nations Championship: Wales v. Italy, Ireland v. Scotland, and France v. England. Then on Sunday, come enjoy a pint and some authentic Irish food to celebrate! After all, everyone’s Irish on St. Patty’s Day!
Half Door: No better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with Irish-style hospitality and an amazing selection of craft beers. Half Door Brewing Co. is steps away from Petco Park in San Diego’s East Village. They’re eagerly awaiting your arrival as you rock your green and enjoy some bangers N mash, fish N chips, and much more!
Mc. P’s Irish Pub: Enjoy live entertainment and a St. Patrick’s Day Sunday on the Paddy-O at the Coronado Irish Pub mainstay, Mc. P’s! In addition to a wide selection of pints to enjoy, they’re known for having some of the best corned beef and cabbage in San Diego, and you can’t go wrong with their Shepard’s Pie either!
Long Story Irish Pub: There’s something for everyone looking for a St. Paddy’s libation here — curated wines, cocktails, craft beers on tap, and yes … there’s Guinness! They’ve also got some amazing traditional Irish fare with some innovative twists on classic pub grub faves.
The Harp: If you find yourself thirsty in Ocean Beach, The Harp is calling your name. This classic Irish pub serves up everything from breakfast dishes to enjoy while you watch an early soccer or rugby game, fan faves: bangers n mash, shepherd’s pie, fish n chips, and citrus salmon, along with warm vibes, and a backyard beer garden.
McGregor’s Bar & Grill is known for its variety of mouth-watering dishes. Among their popular offerings are classic American favorites like juicy burgers, crispy wings, and loaded nachos. These hearty selections are perfect for pairing with their extensive beer selection. 2023’s festivities included a lunch buffet serving corned beef and Irish stew and live music. Stay tuned for more info on 2024’s festivities on their Instagram.
The Pub: Family owned and operated, The Pub is known for their homemade dishes and hard-to-find craft beers as well as a selection of seasonal draughts ready for you to drink! Their menu is updated weekly so you can get a taste of Ireland that’s different each time you go. You’ve got to try their Irish bacon with a soda bread biscuit, their Pub Burger, and their Irish fries! For St. Patrick’s Day weekend, they will have a limited menu with their traditional Irish dishes — corned beef, shepherd’s pie, etc. and will be partying all weekend long, so stop on by! Check their Instagram for more details on their St. Paddy’s event!
CELEBRATING INTO THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORN
If there’s only one thing you need to know about celebrating the Irish way, it’s that the party doesn’t stop until the wee hours of the morning. So, eat a hearty breakfast, get a little exercise to fuel your tanks, and be prepared to get lucky—it’s St. Patrick’s Day, after all. Luck is in the air.
That’s it for the St. Patrick’s Day San Diego events. As a last bit of advice: If you feel a sudden urge to chase down a rainbow in search of gold, always bring a friend.
Written by: Melissa
Melissa hails from San Jose, CA, and has been a San Diego local for five years now after a 10-year long pit stop in Los Angeles. In L.A., she began her writing career crafting digital content for a wide range of clients, including The Real Talk Show, Sharon Osbourne, Hank Azaria, Time Life, and Cardinal Financial. She’s excited to be able to use her passion for writing to introduce people to some of the best spots in San Diego, many of which she has already frequented or has on her ever-expanding list of things to do … In her spare time, she enjoys taking her puppy Milo to all of the best dog beaches in SD, grabbing a glass of wine or a cup of joe at new places, and hosting watch parties for The Bachelor/ette TV show.
Sources:
- National Geographic. Did St. Patrick Really Drive Snakes Out of Ireland? https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/3/140315-saint-patricks-day-2014-snakes-ireland-nation/
- Statistical Atlas. Ancestry in San Diego County, California. https://statisticalatlas.com/county/California/San-Diego-County/Ancestry
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