The city of San Diego dedicates the month of March to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Named after Saint Patrick of Ireland, the St. Patrick’s Day is a Catholic holiday and a celebration of Ireland’s culture. It was started in the early 17th century in Ireland and is now widely celebrated in other nations including the USA. Though San Diego may not have Irish history as rich as that of New York or Chicago; this vibrant city participates with equal vigor in celebrating this joyous occasion.

The 31st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 12th, 2011 in Balboa Park. More than 150 people will participate in the parade which will kick off from Fifth Avenue at 10:30 am and will conclude at Juniper Street in Balboa Park. This year the theme of the parade is “Irish Culture”.

You can expect to see a spectacular parade which includes drill teams, colorful floats, dancing groups, marching bands, bagpipe performers, equestrian units, scout troops, roller skaters,  police and fire department units, antique cars and clowns. And this is not all. The marvelous parade is followed by an Irish festival which is equally entertaining and fun.

The Irish festival promises lots of festivities where you can listen to Irish folk songs, watch traditional Irish dance, binge on delicious Irish food, enjoy storytelling, relax in the Celtic village and take your kids to the Kids Zone which contains interesting games and rides. Besides all this, there will be two beer gardens.

It really doesn’t matter whether you are Irish or not. You can spend an enjoyable day by attending this colorful and charming event. In order to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day to the fullest, it would be better to stay in a San Diego vacation rental from where Balboa Park is nearby so that you can save time on commuting and parking.

California Suites Hotel is a value price leader budget San Diego hotel which is located right in the heart of San Diego from where you can commute to Balboa Park as well as other tourist destinations easily. Besides the hotel offers fine services and facilities which include complementary breakfast, free parking, Internet services, laundry facilities and lots more.

California Suites Hotel is also known as one of the leading budget extended stay hotel in San Diego where you can benefit from apartment prices with hotel perks. In short, the hotel is Convenient, Comfortable and Affordable.

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San Diego’s eventful calendar is all set to welcome one of the most exciting annual events – the 19th Annual San Diego Brazil Carnival, which has come to be known as one of the largest and most authentic carnival celebrations outside of Brazil and among the best Brazilian Carnivals on the West Coast.

The gala event signals the start of San Diego’s Carnival Mardi Gras celebrations, which culminate on Fat Tuesday.

If you are in downtown San Diego on Fat Tuesday and planning to soak in the spirit of the Carnival during your San Diego vacation, you must Party Mardi Gras – Gaslamp style. This outdoor celebration includes two spectacular parades on Fifth Avenue and a fabulous block party featuring many great stages with fun musical acts.

The 19th Annual San Diego Brazil Mardi Gras Carnival will be held on March 5 at 4th & B Showcase Theater in Downtown San Diego. This year’s theme is Amazonia!

Rich in beauty and color, this Mardi Gras Ball features carnival bands, pulsating Samba beats, stunning dancers, electrifying Capoeira performances, parades, nonstop Brazilian Music and lavish Mardi Gras costumes adorned in sequins, beads and feathers masks.

Dancers will be accompanied by live percussionists playing authentic Batucada rhythms of Rio de Janeiro. Various stages of entertainment will also be in full swing featuring DJs, hip-hop and freestyle dancers.

Strolling dancers and performers treat audiences to music and Mardi Gras revelry, and the fan-favorite parades shower the throngs with beads. Cajun, Creole and other eats line the streets, along with craft and bead booths.

Seven stages of entertainment, cool lounges, street performers, carnival action, enthralling go-go dancers and DJ’s, and of course the crown jewel of any Mardi Gras celebration, that is the two parades of floats, live music, animated processions and those coveted beads will mark the revelry on March 8, the famed Fat Tuesday of Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, and refers to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and ending on the day before Ash Wednesday. The event marks the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which started on Ash Wednesday.

If you are keen to enjoy Mardi Gras in its true lively spirit on your San Diego vacation, you must stay in a San Diego hotel close to the Gaslamp Quarter. California Suites Hotel tops the choice of a good, clean and affordable San Diego hotel located just minutes away from the enchanting Gaslamp Quarter. With spacious rooms, Internet access, complementary breakfast, laundry facilities, free parking and many more value-added services, California Suites Hotel enjoys the reputation of being the Value Price Leader among San Diego budget hotels.

The gala 19th Annual San Diego Brazil Carnival is less than a month away. You need to reserve your rooms now to avoid the last minute rush.

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