It’s that time of year when the blossoms on the trees remind us that spring quickly blooms into summer in San Diego, where the sun nearly always shines. If you’re planning a vacation or an overnighter to San Diego this year, there’s a lot to look forward to starting with great spring events such as the Gaslamp Mardi Gras. The Fat Tuesday party takes up many blocks in the quarter and offers musical acts throughout the district, plus a Mardi Gras Parade. You won’t want to miss it. But if you do, look for the St. Patrick’s Day ShamROCK celebration in March to ease you into the summer months that prominently feature the color green.