Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in San Diego 2015
From block parties, parades, Irish pubs and craft beers, to corned beef tacos, San Diego won’t be pinched for lack of St. Patrick’s Day spirit! Here’s a roundup of where you can join the festivities.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
March 14. Festivities begin three days ahead of the official holiday with more than 120 parade entries followed by an Irish festival including a Celtic village, beer garden, music and dancing. Juniper and Sixth St, Balboa Park, 858.268.9111. stpatsparade.org
ShamRock 2015
March 14. The Gaslamp turns green for its annual block party, featuring live DJs and Irish bands on three thinned stages plus Irish fare and drinks at dozens of participating bars and restaurants. Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5008. sandiegoshamrock.com
St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon
March 15. Dress in theme and join the other St. Patrick’s Day running enthusiasts in burning calories before (or after) the imbibing festivities. Race participants 21 and older also receive entry into the all-day EC Craft Beer Invitational. Main Street and Magnolia Ave., El Cajon. stpatricksdayhalf.com
EC Craft Beer Invitational
March 15. Celebrate the finest craft beers from breweries nationwide along with food trucks, live music and entertainment at the finish line of the St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon. A $40 ticket includes access to over 40 craft breweries, while a $55 V.I.B.E. (Very Important Beer Enthusiast) also includes access to the VIP lounge and free food. 110 N. Magnolia Ave., El Cajon. stpatricksdayhalf.com
The Field
March 17. For an authentic taste of Ireland in the comfort of sunny San Diego, check out The Field Irish Pub. Open from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. the next morning, the turn of the century Irish pub brings out all its signature dishes for the festivities. The pub was shipped piece by piece from Ireland before being relocated in the heart of San Diego’s Historic Gaslamp Quarter. 544 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619-232-9840 thefield.com
Searsucker St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
March 17. Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey takes diners back to the experience of his Irish roots at both San Diego Searsucker locations. Diners savor Daddy O’Neil Malarkey’s famous rosemary garlic bone-in leg-o-lamb with Guinness braised root vegetable sause for $28/pp. 611 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.7327 or 12995 El Camino Real Ste. 121, Del Mar, 858.369.5700. searsucker.com
Draft Republic
March 17. Celebrate the one day that everyone is Irish at Draft Republic. The “Lucky Leprechaun Special” features house-made corn beef sandwich, a Guinness tall boy and a shot of Irish whiskey for $15/pp. 4282 Esplanade Court, La Jolla/UTC, 858.450.1400. cohnrestaurants.com
Saltbox
March 17. At Saltbox, partake in traditional St. Patrick’s Day cuisine with their special corned beef tacos, offered all day for $2 and served with pickled cabbage and mustard aioli (pictured above). For libations, diners can grab a handcrafted cocktail such as the “Outsageous” with sage liquor, Absolut, lime juice, and house-made cranberry syrup, or the “Culpearit” with gin, house-made pear syrup, skins and lemon. 1047 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.515.3003. saltboxrestaurant.com
