ExecuStay's San Diego corporate apartments are surrounded by the miles of beaches, coastal charm and a sophisticated urban landscape - making working and relaxing simple.
St. Patrick's Day in San Diego 2012 and Irish Pubs in San Diego
Share this Article
St. Patrick's Day is a big deal in San Diego and everyone gets in on the act. San Diego has a sizable Irish-American population that shares their Irish pride every year with a parade, a festival, and numerous other special events. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper Saint Patrick's Day without a wearin' of the green and going to one of San Diego's many Irish bars located around the county.
Erin Go Bragh!
32nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in San Diego- San Diego's observance of St. Patrick's Day officially begins when the Irish community parades struts their stuff on Sixth Avenue near Balboa Park. Because St. Patrick's Day falls on a Saturday this year, we expect that this year's attendance will be a record-breaking year.
In 2011, parade organizers reported that they had more than 120 parade entries and thousands of people attended the Parade and Festival, making it one of the largest single-day events in San Diego.
The parade officially begins at 10:30 a.m. and goes until 1:30 p.m. The parade route starts at Sixth and Juniper, continues north on Fifth Avenue, hooks a right at Upas, proceeds south on Sixth Avenue and ends at Laurel.
The festival begins at 10:00 a.m. and goes until 6:00 p.m. The festival takes place on the west side of Balboa Park along Sixth Avenue between Laurel and Upas. Irish dancing, Irish music, and Irish fare and Irish beer are offered throughout the day. Picnics are encouraged and welcomed.
Please note that the parade and the festival take place rain or shine.
ShamROCK in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter - The good folks at the Gaslamp Quarter Association never let a fun holiday escape the Gaslamp. Since the Gaslamp Quarter is home to a good number of Irish pubs, party in one spot and only park your car once. If you park a meter before 6:00 p.m., keep a look-out for the parking enforcement officers. They have a job to do and won't be in the same festive mood as you. Please, plan ahead.
ShamROCK is a big green block party in the Gaslamp Quarter that happens every St. Patrick's Day on March 17th. The party gets started at 2:00 p.m. and ends at Midnight. The main entrance is at 5th Avenue and G Street. The Gaslamp gets covered with over 40,000 square feet of Astroturf, bands play live Rock & Roll music, DJs spin records, vendors sell Irish 'stuff' and food. All the Gaslamp's restaurants in pubs in the Green Zone get in on the act with special entrance tickets.
Please keep in mind that this is a ticketed event for 21 and up colleens and lads. Proceeds from the benefit go to the Gaslamp Quarter Historic Foundation. There are three ticket prices: advance pricing starts at $35, increasing to $40 and $45 at the door. According to the organizers, your wristband into shamROCK will also get you in-and-out privileges, as well as, no cover and food and drink specials at dozens of the Gaslamp Quarter's hottest nightclubs and restaurants. For more information, please call the ShamROCK hotline at (619) 233-5008 or visit www.sandiegoshamrock.com
A Decent List of San Diego's Irish Pubs
Aside from the special events aforementioned, you can bet your sweet green bippy that EVERY Irish pub in San Diego is planning their a celebration of Ireland and St. Patrick in their own way. We are including bars that are Irish/British, not generic bars that are also celebrating St. Patrick's Day to get in on the Irish action. As we were updating our list of Irish bars in San Diego, we were sad to see that between 6-8 Irish bars have closed in the county since last year. Even the popular Gaslamp Quarter lost the Blarney Stone. More than ever, we ask that you please support San Diego's Irish/British pubs!
Did we miss your favorite Irish/British watering hole? If so, please let make a comment and let us know.
Downtown San Diego
The Field (544 Fifth Avenue)
For more information: (619) 232-9840
Patrick's II (428 F Street)
For more information: (619) 233-3077
Stout Public House (1125 6th Avenue)
For more information: (619) 702-7933
