For those who believe you must go to New Orleans to get the full effect of Mardi Gras, you might try San Diego Mardi Gras once and see why there’s no place like it. Got Gaslamp? San Diego definitely does. Once the redlight district of San Diego during the rough & ready days, Gaslamp Quarter now hosts some of the biggest street parties in California with music on multiple stages spread throughout various streets. There are cocktail beverages, dancing, beads, costumes and a party to rival anything you’ll find in the Big Easy. The ultimate Mardi Gras takes place on Fat Tuesday March 4, 2014. Tickets are $40 pre-sale, 21 and older only. Be sure to book hotel rooms early, too.