No need to book a trip to the Emerald Isle for St. Patrick’s Day this year — the best place to celebrate the holiday in the Bay Area is right here in Sonoma County. Personal finance website WalletHub recently ranked Santa Rosa as the No. 4 best city in the U.S. for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, even beating San Francisco (No. 18).
While San Francisco ranked No. 3 in most Irish pubs and restaurants per capita, Santa Rosa, which placed at No. 10 in WaletHub’s ranking last year, received a higher overall score for best places to go due to its cost, weather, safety and accessibility rankings.
The city of Santa Rosa kicked off festivities as early as March 1 with its Leprechaun Treasure Hunt, which runs through March 28. Participants can scout out city parks to find elusive, 1-foot-tall leprechauns on laminated stock cards, the back of which includes directions on where and how to collect a prize of chocolate gold treasure.
Beyond Santa Rosa, various Sonoma County locales will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, with dinners, dancing, parades and more. Read on below for a list of local events, and swipe through the gallery above for scenes of past St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The Block Petaluma, March 14-17
Petaluma’s live music and food park will kick off St. Patrick’s Day weekend with music from the Timothy O’Neil Band at 6 p.m., March 14, and Celtic folk band Lucky Ol’ Bones at 6 p.m., March 15. A Sunday supper of smoked corned beef and cabbage, accompanied with an Irish playlist, will start at 4 p.m., March 16. The Gentlemen Soldiers band will close out the St. Paddy’s fest with a performance starting at 4 p.m., March 17. 20 Grey St., Petaluma, 707-775-6003, instagram.com/theblockpetaluma
Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley, March 15
The rotary club will host a “Luck o’ the Irish” dinner celebration starting at 4 p.m., March 15, at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building. The evening will include a traditional corned beef dinner with all the trimmings (vegetarian option available) as well as fun games, live music from the Shots String Band, Irish dance performances and more. There will also be a raffle with a grand prize of $10,000. Dinner tickets are $75 per person (includes one drink ticket) and raffle tickets are $50 each. Proceeds benefit Sonoma Valley nonprofits and education programs. Purchase tickets online. Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall, 126 First St. W., Sonoma, sonomavalleyrotary.org
Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl, March 15
A number of bars in Santa Rosa will participate in a city-wide bar crawl to celebrate the holiday, from 4 p.m. to midnight, March 15. Start the crawl at the designated check-in location, Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen (614 Fourth St.), and show the staff your ticket QR code to receive a lanyard and event badge. The event badge will include drink vouchers that can be redeemed at each participating location. Locations, which will also have drink specials, include Barrel Proof Lounge, Belly Left Coast Kitchen & Taproom, Civilization Brewing Co. and Flagship Taproom. Tickets are $30, plus fees. Learn more and purchase tickets online at Crawl With Us. Santa Rosa, crawlwith.us/santarosa/stpattys
Petaluma Elks Lodge 901, March 15
The lodge will host its annual St. Patrick’s dinner for Elk members and their guests starting at 5 p.m., March 15. In addition to the corned beef and cabbage dinner at 6 p.m., the evening will include no-host cocktails with appetizers and a performance by the Keenan Irish Dancers. $30 per person. Limited seating. Purchase tickets online. 2105 S. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-763-0901, elks901.org
Coyote Sonoma, March 15
Bar, tasting room and showroom Coyote Sonoma will host a St. Paddy’s Day party featuring Santa Rosa-based ’90s rock cover band JOOSE. Food vendor Casa Nostra will start serving at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m., March 15. Purchase tickets online. 44 Mill St., Healdsburg, 707-433-4444, coyotesonoma.com
The Big Easy, March 15
Petaluma’s underground nightclub will host a St. Patrick’s Day celebration featuring live music from eclectic rock band Strange Cabbage and special guest Paul ‘Corned Beef’ Riley, March 15. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and show starts at 7:30 p.m. There’s a $10 suggested donation. 128 American Alley, Petaluma, 707-776-7163, bigeasypetaluma.com
Larson Family Winery, March 15-16
In lieu of its usual “Larson Limerick Contest” for St. Patrick’s Day this year, the winery will host a festive weekend full of exclusive discounts and giveaways from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 15-16, at the tasting room. Book on Tock. 23355 Millerick Road, Sonoma, 707-938-3031, larsonfamilywinery.com
The Goose & Fern, March 15-17
Typically closed on Mondays, this British-style pub will be open on St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate, as well as the whole proceeding weekend. There will be live music, food and drink. Regular menu items include Scotch egg, sausage roll, bangers and mash, Shepherd’s pie and Guinness-braised beef pie. All ages welcome. 116 Fifth St., Santa Rosa, 707-843-4235, thegooseandfern.com
Santa Rosa’s St. Patrick’s Day 5K, March 16
Fleet Feet will present its annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K, benefiting Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks, starting at 10 a.m., March 16, at Courthouse Square. The run/walk race is chip-timed and open to all ages and abilities. Participants will receive a commemorative mug and finisher medal. A judged costume contest will be held at 11:30 a.m. during a post-race celebration, which will also include music, drinks, activities, Irish dancers and sponsor giveaways. Registration fees are $23.39 for youth 12 and under and $60.83 for those 13 and over. Find more information and register on Race Roster. Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, srcity.org
Keenan Irish Dance School, March 16
Petaluma’s school of traditional Irish dance will kick off St. Patrick’s Day week with an open house and refreshments from 2-4 p.m., March 16, at the dance studio. All are welcome and no experience is necessary. Contact keenan5678@att.net for more info. 211 Liberty St., Petaluma, 707-479-1128, keenanirishdanceschool.com
Penngrove Pub, March 16
The Penngrove Pub will host a St. Patrick’s Day celebration featuring live music from the Timothy O’Neil Band, from 6-9, March 16. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. General admission is $5 online, $10 at the door; wear green to get $2 off entry. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite. 10005 Main St., Penngrove, 707-992-0121, thepenngrovepub.com
Healdsburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Concert, March 17
The city of Healdsburg will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with its annual parade from 7-8:30 a.m. and Celtic concert from noon to 1:30 p.m., March 17, in downtown Healdsburg. The parade starts at Sanderson Ford (453 Healdsburg Ave.) and weaves around Healdsburg Plaza and back. Later, Bay Area-based Celtic rock band Tempest will light up the Plaza, accompanied by a performance from the Shiloh Step Irish Dancers. The parade and concert are free to attend. Downtown Healdsburg, healdsburg.gov
Murphy’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, March 17
Sonoma’s premier Irish pub will host a St. Patrick’s Day celebration from noon to 9:30 p.m., March 17. An Irish blessing with Guinness will kick off the day, followed by performances from rock band Bacchus, Lola O’Brien the Irish Hawaiian, the Kerry Daly Band, Irish dancers and Glory Dayz band. A full bar will be open late. Murphy’s also has traditional Irish dishes on its menu, such as corned beef, cottage pie, bangers and mash, and Irish lamb stew. 464 First St. E., Sonoma, 707-935-0660, sonomapub.com
McNear’s Saloon & Dining House, March 17
Petaluma’s historic McNear’s Saloon will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration starting at 4 p.m. March 17. The party will include festive drinks and Irish food, including traditional corned beef and cabbage. Dancers from the Keenan Irish Dance School will perform. 23 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-765-2121, mcnears.com
Rio Nido Roadhouse, March 17
The Rio Nido Roadhouse will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a feast and live music by North Bay duo Tumbleweed Soul from 4-7 p.m., March 17. The event will include a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner and Guinness on draft. All ages welcome; no cover charge. 14540 Canyon 2 Road, Rio Nido, 707-869-0821, rionidoroadhouse.com
Sally Tomatoes, March 17
Catering service Sally Tomatoes will host a St. Patrick’s Day dinner buffet and movie showing from 4-8 p.m., March 17, at the SOMO Village Event Center. The buffet will include traditional dishes like corned beef and cabbage, buttered carrots and potatoes, minted mushy peas and housemade soda bread. Drink specials include Guinness, Irish car bombs, green beer, Irish mules and Irish coffee with Bailey’s. There will be a showing of the 1952 western romance “The Quiet Man” starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 per adult and $10 per child. Call 707-665-9472 to reserve. SOMO Village, 1100 Valley House Drive, Rohnert Park, 707-665-9472, sallytomatoes.com
Windsor Kiwanis Club, March 17
The Kiwanis Club of Windsor will host its Corned Beef and Cabbage Drive-Thru Dinner from 4:30-6:30 p.m., March 17, at the Windsor Community United Methodist Church. Each dinner with all the trimmings is $25. Deadline to reserve and pay is at 9 p.m., March 14. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite. 9451 Brooks Road S., Windsor, 707-620-0303, kiwaniswindsor.org
The Elephant in the Room, March 17
Healdsburg bar and music venue Elephant in the Room will host a St. Patrick’s Day party featuring Celtic band Lucky Ol’ Bones from 5-8 p.m., March 17. The party is free to attend. 177 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, elephantintheroompub.com
Petaluma Woman’s Club, March 20
The Petaluma Woman’s Club will host a St. Patrick’s Day celebration from 6:30-9 p.m., March 20. The evening will include a traditional Irish feast (vegetarian options available) as well as prizes for the best green attire and best-told joke. $30 per person. RSVP membership@petalumawomansclub.com by March 15. 518 B St., Petaluma, 707-762-5485, petalumawomansclub.com
St. Patrick’s Day treats
Stellina Pronto, Petaluma
The Italian cafe has St. Patrick’s Day meals and treats on the menu for pickup between March 15-17. Preorder deadline is 7 p.m., March 14. The menu includes Irish soda bread, corned beef and cabbage dinners with all the trimmings (each dinner order serves two), pistachio cake, mini chocolate Guinness cake and clover-shaped shortbread cookies. Order online. 23 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-789-9556, stellinapronto.com
Village Bakery, Santa Rosa
The bakery will be taking special holiday orders on March 14 and March 17. There will be two varieties of Irish soda bread available: raisin and caraway seed. Order over the phone by walk-in. Batches are limited. 3851 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-829-8101, villagebakerywinecountry.com
Sarmentine, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Petaluma
French bakery Sarmentine will have St. Patrick’s Day specials available starting March 15 at all three of its locations. Specials include a tartelette filled with praline pistachio and layered with génoise and pistachio bavarois; and a braided croissant filled with pistachio cream and topped with pistachio praline drizzle. 52 Mission Circle, Suite 112, Santa Rosa; 6760 McKinley St., Suite 150, Sebastopol; 840 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-623-9595, sarmentine.com
Nom Nom Cakes, Bodega Bay
Coastal home bakery Nom Nom Cakes has St. Patrick’s Day specials available, including green Irish cake pops with gold sprinkles, almond-flavored sugar cookies shaped as shamrocks and beer mugs, and “Luck of the Irish” chocolate cupcakes — filled with Irish whiskey ganache, frosted with Baileys buttercream and decorated with four-leaf clovers, gold sprinkles and gold-wrapped chocolate coins. Order online for delivery or pickup. 390 Calle Del Sol, Bodega Bay, 805-350-0680, nomnombaking.com