It’s simple seasonal math: When the sun comes out, so do all the people. Winter is waning and downtown San Diego’s event calendar is waxing thanks to sunshine and clear skies. Here comes everything from St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and San Diego Padres baseball to organized runs and outdoor music festivals to fill your urban agenda.
San Diego definitely turns green for St. Patrick’s Day. While the mega-party Sham Rock was cancelled this year, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Festival is still on in Balboa Park on March 14. So are the Gaslamp “Irish For A Day” pub crawls on March 13, 14 and 17.
People are also on deck for baseball. The Padres start a bit earlier than usual, with a home opener on March 26 at Petco Park. Of course, East Village steps up to bat with its annual Opening Weekend Block Party on March 28.
The oh-so-appealing Savannah Bananas bring their entertaining spin on baseball to Petco Park for two sold-out games on March 21 and 22.
Nicer weather also means more time for live outdoor music.
Long-time Marina District resident Leon Cook is excited for the CRSSD electronic music festival as well as all the other “tourist stuff” downtown has to offer. “I just treat myself like I’m a tourist all the time,” he said.
The CRSSD festival takes the stage March 14 to 15 at Waterfront Park. Music lovers can also head back to the world-class Rady Shell for a spring opening lineup that includes Rock-n-Roll Hall-of-Famers Foreigner joining the San Diego Symphony at the Shell on March 20.
If you’re a runner, get out the sunscreen. The SKECHERS Hot Chocolate Run on March 8 ends with a chocolate celebration near Petco Park. On March 15, the 15th annual GOVX San Diego Half Marathon and 5K circles the city.
The San Diego Sun caught up with San Diego mainstays Ingrid Croce and Jim Rock in Balboa Park. Rock says he hopes to indulge in people-watching, brave long lines and attend park events planned for this month.
That could be the annual Cherry Blossom Festival (March 12 to 16) at Balboa Park’s Japanese Friendship Garden. If that isn’t enough flowers, people can go to the Ikebana International 58th Annual Spring Exhibition (March 21 to 22) to see decorative flower arrangements.
Want less flower and more power? Motorcycle enthusiasts can show off or spectate at Motorcycles in the Park at the San Diego Automotive Museum on March 22.
Ready to test the open waters? City Cruises Whale Watching Tour are available now through April 12. Tours last up to four hours.
To help take care of the water and our environment, Surfrider Foundation San Diego hosts a beach cleanup every weekend, alternating between Pacific Beach and Seaport Village (every 4th Saturday of the month).
There’s no reason to stay inside this month, according to Canadian tourist Carol Herm. She was on a cruise that got redirected to San Diego last weekend. And she was delighted to be stuck here on the precipice of spring. SDSun
