March 2008 Events Calendar California

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations California Irish Heritage

St. Patrick's Day falls on a Monday, but that doesn't stop Californians from honoring the holiday where everyone is a wee bit Irish on this special day.

While the traditional St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held in San Francisco on Mar. 15, you'll discover that St. Patrick's day is REALLY on March 17. Shown in the picture above is O'Malley's on Main in Seal Beach, California. This Orange County city has several Irish pubs and restaurants on its Main Street. Next door in Sunset Beach you'll find Irish Mist. In Huntington Beach you'll find Gallagher's and Killarney. Fountain Valley has Sulky Sullivan's. Follow the trail of pubs throughout California on St. Patrick's Day and you find many celebrations and parties on March 17. Nearly every city and town has one (an Irish restaurant, pub or bar.)

How to have a lucky day on St. Patrick's Day:

Don't wear too much green

The tradition states that you need to wear green or you'll get pinched (remember that from school?) is honored throughout California, though the Irish customs tend toward NOT wearing green. If you wear too much green, the faerie folk, according to Irish folklore, are likely to steal especially children who wear too much of the color. You gotta' love the USA. Shamrocks or four leaf clovers are abundant throughout California.

Kiss the Blarney Stone
Blarney Castle, where the Blarney Stone attracts millions of travelers to Ireland each year, is located in County Cork.  In the southern tower wall between the main castle wall and the parapet you'll discover people lined up, waiting to perform the ritual believed to bring good luck. In order to kiss the stone, you must  lie on your back and bend backward (and downward), holding iron bars for support (see left photo).

Drink Guinness Stout!
On St. Patrick's Day the Irish word, Slainté!  (slan-cha), which means health!, is spoken with the fervor of an Oktoberfest bier cheer. The American Heart Association reported that Guinness stout may be as effective as daily aspirin in reducing the blood clots that cause heart attacks. Antioxidants, which are said to reduce cholesterol deposits on arterial walls, are found in dark Irish stouts.
 

SAN DIEGO - St. Patrick’s Day in the Gaslamp Quarter. The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation lays down 40,000 square feet of green Astroturf in the street, brings in some top Irish Rock and other great bands, offers up special entrance into the nightclubs and serves happy revelers with green beer! Miller Lite ShamROCK 2008 is the biggest and greenest party outside of Dublin with headliner The Young Dubliners! The Gaslamp Quarter will be transformed into the lavish fields of Ireland, ranging from traditional Irish bands and dancing to Irish Punk Rock as well as some of today’s biggest hits by some of San Diego’s hottest live bands thrown in for good measure. Cost: $20/pre, $25/door. Time: 4 pm till midnight. Call 619.233.5008 / gaslampquarter.org.

NEWPORT BEACH - Southern California Whale Watching on Orange County Cruise’s Newport Landing cruise offers multiple whale watching trips daily departing from Newport Beach. Runs through April 30, 2008.  Tickets

DANA POINT Cruise Photos & Tickets! - Each winter, thousands of California Gray Whales leave the cold Artic Seas and follow the coastline to the warm, calm waters of Southern California and Baja. This 5,000-mile migration brings much of the pod past Dana Point, where pods of Giant Grays can be easily seen and photographed. Dana Wharf Sportfishing – (949) 496-5794  www.danawharfsportfishing.com; Dana Island Yacht Charters – (949) 248-7400  www.danaislandyachts.com;  Ocean Institute – (949) 496-2274  www.ocean-institute.org; Aventura Sailing Association – (949) 493-9493 www.aventurasailing.com;  Captain Dave’s Dolphin Safari – (949) 488-2828 www.dolphinsafari.com | Dana Point Hotels

REDONDO BEACH - California gray whale migration from the Arctic to Baja and back. Dolphins, Harbor Seals and Sea Lions and the beautiful Santa Monica Bay coastline on three-hour experience.  (310) 372-2111 rbmarina.com

SAN DIEGO -  Annual migration of California gray whales to the warm breeding grounds off the coast of Baja California. Glimpse these peaceful "giants of the sea" from Cabrillo National Monument or on special whale-watching cruises. 619-557-5450 or 619-236-1212

 Mar. 16 < March 17 > Mar. 18

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