10 Things to Do in San Diego in March

In March, spring brings with it a range of experiences in San Diego. From the flavour of the food and beer festival at SeaWorld to Latin shows, welcome the season with these activities.

Carla Yaquer

Carla Yaquer

9 min read

10 Things to Do in San Diego in March

San Diego Harbor cruise |©Chris Farnum

The third month of the year is especially beautiful in California, because it is full of events that you must experience in one of its most famous cities. In this article you'll find the best things to do in San Diego in March.

During theatre week you can enjoy the creativity of local artists in a variety of plays. You can also join in the St. Patrick's Day celebration, where the city turns green and features parades, live music and Irish beer. And of course, don't forget to catch the Padres' first professional baseball games. Join me for a full list of things to do and see in San Diego as you welcome spring.

1. Take part in SeaWorld's food and craft beer festival

woman drinking beer|©RDNE Stock project
woman drinking beer|©RDNE Stock project

Foodies and beer lovers, this is for you! Join the party at SeaWorld's Seven Seas Craft Beer & Food Festival, featuring some 70 varieties of local craft beer from San Diego's best breweries, accompanied by international signature cuisine with sustainable local ingredients.

In addition to the incredible flavours you can sample, you can also dance to rock, country, Latin or old-time sounds with live music. All this in parallel to the usual marine wildlife exhibits featuring SeaWorld favourites such as dolphins, sea lions, flamingos and sea otters.

You won't want to miss the tastes and sounds of local and international culinary culture at SeaWorld's Seven Seas Craft Beer & Food Festival. The celebration usually takes place on weekends in March, perfect for scheduling into your San Diego trip of at least 7 days. The event is located at 500 SeaWorld Drive.

Buy tickets for SeaWorld

2. Join the shamROCK

ShamRock|©Nathan Rupert
ShamRock|©Nathan Rupert

Get ready for an immersive experience full of fun and Irish music at the shamROCK event, which takes place in the first half of March. The Gaslamp District will be transformed into an authentic Irish party to celebrate the annual edition of this festival.

At shamROCK, you will be able to enjoy an impressive repertoire of the best Irish and Celtic rock bands that will make you vibrate. The infectious energy of the Irish dancers will get you out of your seat and if you're up for it, you can even sign up for classes. There will also be dance competitions, adult games, good luck activities and surprises.

But that's not all, beer will be flowing in abundance throughout the event! You'll be able to sample a wide variety of Irish beers and enjoy classic brews such as Guinness and Smithwick's. And to recharge your batteries, there will be food stalls to satisfy your appetite and accompany the non-stop musical performances.

At shamROCK, you'll immerse yourself in Irish culture and enjoy an experience surrounded by festive camaraderie. It's ideal for a 3-day San Diego getaway. Where's the date? Gaslamp Quarter, 5th Avenue. Don't worry, you can get there by public transport, with the tourist tram, you can even get there on bike activities like the ones included when you buy the San Diego Explorer Pass.

Buy the San Diego Explorer Pass

3. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

San Diego St. Patrick's Day Parade|©chrisinphilly5448
San Diego St. Patrick's Day Parade|©chrisinphilly5448

Every March 17th in San Diego there are parties, parades and plenty of beer throughout the city to **celebrate St. Patrick'**s Day. The options are quite varied because this holiday is embraced by San Diegans. However, apart from shamROCK the highlights are:

  • Point Loma, where they combine the love of furries and beer in one place. Usually the event is a benefit for an animal organisation. While you enjoy green beer, cocktails, food, live bands, DJs, themed games... and more, hundreds of people, you and your pet celebrate St. Patrick's Day together. Where? At GoodBar, 1872 Rosecrans St. If you want to know more about the event, you can visit their website.
  • Seaport Village. Enjoy delicious food, drinks and desserts at one of the charming restaurants located in San Diego's west courtyard. You can also listen to some Irish tunes before taking a memorable selfie in the famous shamrock light tunnels by the pond. And who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of a leprechaun! Where? Seaport Village, 849 West Harbor Drive. Visit their website for more details.
  • Gaslamp Quarter. This is one of the most popular spots in town, not least because it's not just one place but a collection of about 20 pubs that commemorate the patron saint of Ireland on San Diego soil. Here there are parades and the pubs dress up and roll out their green carpet to welcome you with plenty of craft beer, DJs, dancing, live music, games, signature cocktails and even the booking of a gastronomic tour of the Gaslamp Quarter with an Irish accent and good luck.

Book a Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour

4. Attend the San Diego Padres' first games of the season

San Diego Padres: Center Field|©Marc Schreiber
San Diego Padres: Center Field|©Marc Schreiber

Get ready for the March home run in San Diego! Grab your hats and jerseys, because it's time to catch the excitement of MLB's Opening Day and, San Diego Padres say, "Present! The stadium vibrates with the energy of fans eager to see their home team in action. Balls flying, strikes whirring and cheers filling the air as you soak in the sporting atmosphere.

Enjoy nachos and cold beers as you share exciting moments with the crowd. With the sea breeze as a backdrop, you'll experience the city's true sporting passion during the first games of the season. Follow this link to find out how to buy tickets to a baseball game in San Diego, how much they cost, available dates and everything you need to know to join the baseball fever.

The venue is at 100 Park Blvd, Petco Park. An easily accessible location, you can get there by public transport and even the tourist tram.

Buy your ticket for the sightseeing tram.

5. Attend San Diego Orchid Festival

The Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA|©Rob Bertholf
The Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA|©Rob Bertholf

Come to the San Diego Botanic Garden and see the stunning display of exotic flowers at the annual Orchid Festival held in the conservatory. This Encinitas botanical garden ranks among the top 15 in the US, has a rainforest, a children's garden and boasts the largest collection of bamboos in the country in its bamboo garden.

March, the beginning of spring, is a beautiful month to visit, as many plants are in bloom. Book ahead and visit them at 300 Quail Gardens Drive (at Ecke Ranch Road) Encinitas, just a 15-minute drive from Legoland California. In fact, a great plan for a day out in San Diego with the kids is to combine your tickets to Legoland California with a visit to the Botanical Gardens - perfect for adults and kids alike!

Buy your tickets to Legoland California

6. Stroll along the Embarcadero

Sunrise over San Diego|©Erik Pederson
Sunrise over San Diego|©Erik Pederson

One way to enjoy a free and fun activity in San Diego is to stroll along the Embarcadero. You can check out the historic ships, then head to Seaport Village for unique shops and the best views of the harbour.

To round off the day, you can take the experience up a notch and book a dinner cruise to see all the iconic sites of San Diego Bay including the military base and the Colorado Bridge. Although this activity can be done at other times of the year, the mild weather, clear skies of March and the arrival of spring present the ideal conditions to best appreciate the experience - don't miss out!

Book a dinner cruise

7. Enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival

San Diego Cherry Blossom Festival|©ericsonjohnson
San Diego Cherry Blossom Festival|©ericsonjohnson

The Cherry Blossom Festival is a unique opportunity to enjoy the spectacular beauty of these typically Asian blossoms. However, there is much more to do than just admire the trees.

From touring the beer garden, to enjoying authentic sake, to taking part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and tasting desserts, there is something to satisfy every palate and stimulate the senses.

In addition, live performances promise exciting entertainment. The festival is held in a vibrant atmosphere, with a host of food vendors offering delicious treats to delight visitors.

For a delightful afternoon with friends, partners or family, attending the San Diego Cherry Blossom Festival is a must-do in March. Where can you find them? At 2215 Pan American Road. E., in the middle of San Diego's best museums. You can get there by public transportation or the tourist tram and take a tour of the museums.

Buy your ticket for the Sightseeing Tram

8. See a play at San Diego Theatre Month

Balboa Theatre - San Diego|©c8132
Balboa Theatre - San Diego|©c8132

During San Diego Theatre Month, you can enjoy a wide variety of plays of different genres and styles on stage.

Performances take place in different theatres around the city, following the programming of the San Diego Performing Arts League(SDPAL), giving you the opportunity to explore a variety of venues such as the Spreckels Theatre or the famous Balboa Theatre, better known as San Diego's Broadway.

During these days, local artists showcase their talents in independent and innovative works. In addition, San Diego Theatre Month seeks to highlight the diversity of the city's performing arts community. You can laugh, cry, and reflect on all of these works created by talented community artists. Best of all, you'll do it at the best price.

9. Stroll through the fields of flowers north of San Diego

Carlsbad CA - The Flower Fields|©Amy Fredericks
Carlsbad CA - The Flower Fields|©Amy Fredericks

If appreciating natural beauty is your thing, you can't miss the experience of strolling through the flower fields north of San Diego. For over sixty years, these fields have been naturally transformed into an incredibly colourful spectacle. At Carlsbad Ranch, you'll find over 20 hectares of giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that bloom for six to eight weeks each year, starting in early March.

This annual multi-coloured spectacle marks the beginning of spring in California with its iconic accent hues that are part of the area's local heritage. Walking through these fields is like stepping into a dream world of vibrant blooms. These tours can be done on foot or with the camp's tourist tractor wagon.

The rose gardens, the American flag of flowers, a visit to the Cymbidium greenhouse, a taste of the frescas, a walk through the sweet pea maze and the San Nicolas playground are just a few of the attractions offered by Carlsbad Ranch. Adults and children alike enjoy the harmony and beauty of nature, so make it one of your things to do in San Diego with kids.

Carlsbad Ranch is located at 5704 Paseo del Norte, Carlsbad, 35 kilometres from Balboa Park. The estimated time of the visit is about 3-4 hours so I recommend you to make it one of your day trips in San Diego. You will be amazed by the beauty of the place.

10. Enjoy San Diego Latino Film Festival

Opening Night Party - SD Latino Film Festival|©Media Arts Center San Diego
Opening Night Party - SD Latino Film Festival|©Media Arts Center San Diego

Film lovers, pay attention! The San Diego Latino Film Festival celebrates more than 30 years of tradition in the city dedicated to bringing the best of independent filmmaking during 7-11 days in March. The event screens a wide variety of films and shorts, plus annually brings in panels of notable guests.

Film screenings will be available in a variety of formats, both virtual and drive-in, so you can watch your favourite films from the comfort of your home or vehicle. In addition, the SDLFF offers other activities, including press presentations, parties and concerts. Don't miss the incredible Sonido Latino concert, a fusion of different genres of Latin music, which will have you dancing the night away.

And, as a grand finale, the festival presents an awards ceremony celebrating the talent of Latino filmmakers. Follow them on their instagram account so you don't miss any details of the event.

11. Delight yourself at the Sabor Latino food, beer and wine festival

Sabor Latino|©Media Arts Center San Diego
Sabor Latino|©Media Arts Center San Diego

The second week of March, immerse yourself in Latin culture at the Sabor Latino Festival! This annual event is a feast for the senses. Get ready to savour without limits as celebrity Latino chefs prepare culinary delights for you. Food, beer and wine overflow at this festival, with unlimited beer and wine tastings offered by San Diego's best craft breweries and wineries.

But that's not all, live music will keep the atmosphere vibrant as you browse the 21+ art exhibits. And of course, don't miss the highlight of the day: the "Best Dish" competition. Who will take the title of the supreme delicacy? Excitement will be in the air.

The Sabor Latino Festival merges with the San Diego Latino Film Festival, running for a week in total. To connect with this Latin fusion, I recommend you book 2 or 3 days in San Diego for this activity. Where is the event? At Westfield Mission Valley, 1640 Camino del Rio North, 4 km from Balboa Park.