Flanahan's Pub on Noriega Street features a corned-beef buffet and drink specials on St. Patrick's Day. Photo: Tom Prete / Ocean Beach Bulletin

St. Patrick’s Day in San Francisco is a time for fun and recognizing the contributions of Irish and Irish Americans to the building and culture of our diverse city. But if you missed the annual downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade or just didn’t want to take a chance on rain, don’t fret. There are plenty of opportunities on the west side of the city to celebrate, even beyond St. Patrick’s Day itself, whether that means a pint with friends or some family time with the kids.

The United Irish Cultural Center, 2700 45th Avenue between Sloat Boulevard and Wawona Street, has corned beef and cabbage from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. This is also the neighborhood’s top spot for Irish culture every day of the year, and and important community hub hosting a wide variety of meetings and events. Check the UICC calendar for dances, music lessons and other activities for adults and children.

Java Beach Cafe owners Pat and Buffy Maguire (who also run Beachside Coffee Bar on Judah Street) are putting on their annual block party Sunday. Greenfest 2012 closes off the block of 45th Avenue between Sloat and Wawona, in front of Java Beach at the Zoo and the Irish Cultural Center. Jumpy houses, music and dancing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Java Beach has both soft-serve ice cream and Guinness on tap every day of the year.

If you think being Irish in America is all about leprechaun hats and green beer, get yourself some old-school knowledge with the Oral Histories of the Irish in San Francisco project, March 30 at the United Irish Cultural Center. San Francisco Irish history from the people who lived it.

The Crossroads Irish American Festival has a variety of events exploring Irish arts, history and culture, continuing into early April.

In the Richmond District, John Campbell’s Irish Bakery at 5625 Geary Blvd. has Irish breads, sandwiches, desserts and more.

As for the aforementioned friends and pints, the Ocean Beach area has a number of choices for both. Here are just a few:

• Costello’s Four Deuces, 2319 Taraval St.
• Parkside Tavern, 1940 Taraval St.
• Shannon Arms Irish Pub, 915 Taraval St.
• Durty Nelly’s, 2328 Irving St.
• Flanahan’s Pub, 3805 Noriega St.
• The Blarney Stone, 5625 Geary Blvd.

How are you celebrating St. Patrick’s Day? Tell us in the comments below.