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June

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon ( 858-450-6510; www.rnrmarathon.com) Live bands perform at each mile mark of this 26.2-mile race, with a big concert at the finish line. Early June.

San Diego County Fair ( 858-755-1161; www.sdfair.com) Mid-June to July 4; features headline acts and hundreds of carnival rides and shows at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

July

Del Mar Horse Racing ( 858-755-1141; www.dmtc.com) The well-heeled bet on the horses, ‘where the turf meets the sea,’ at Del Mar Fairgrounds, from mid-July to early September.

US Open Sandcastle Competition (www.usopensandcastle.com) You won’t believe what can be made out of sand at the amazing sandcastle-building competition held mid- or late July in Imperial Beach, south of Coronado.

San Diego LGBT Pride ( 619-297-7683; www.sdpride.org) The city’s gay community celebrates in Hillcrest and Balboa Park at the month’s end, with parades, parties, performances, art shows and more.

Comic-con International ( 619-491-2475; www.comic-con.org) America’s largest event for collectors of comic, pop culture and movie memorabilia, at the San Diego Convention Center. Late July.

August

Summerfest Chamber Music Festival ( 858-459-3728; www.ljcms.org) La Jolla hosts this three-week series with international performers.

Old Globe Festival ( 619-239-2255; www.oldglobe.org) Renowned Shakespeare festival in Balboa Park, with both popular and lesser-known plays.

September

Thunderboat Regatta ( 619-225-9160; www.thunderboats.net) Some of the world’s fastest boats compete on Mission Bay in mid-September.

Street Scene (www.street-scene.com) California’s largest music festival features dozens of performers, outdoor stages and lots to eat. Late September.

San Diego Film Festival ( 619-582-2368; www.sdff.org) The silver screen takes center stage in the Gaslamp District, with screenings, panel discussions and parties. Past stars in attendance have included Joaquin Phoenix and James Woods. Late September.

Fleet Week ( 800-353-3893; www.fleetweeksandiego.org) Actually more like ‘Fleet Month’. The US military shows its pride in events including a sea and air parade, special tours of ships, and the Miramar Air Show, the world’s largest. Late September to late October.

October

Little Italy Festa (www.littleitalysd.com) Come for the tastes and aromas of old Italia, and stay for Gesso Italiano, chalk-art drawn directly onto the streets. Mid-month.

December

December Nights ( 619-239-0512; www.balboapark.org) Festival in Balboa Park includes crafts, carols and a candlelight parade.

Harbor Parade of Lights (www.sdparadeoflights.org) Dozens of decorated, illuminated boats float in procession on the harbor on two Sunday evenings in December.

Las Posadas and Luminaries ( 619-291-4903; www.oldtownsandiego.org) This traditional Latin Christmas celebration in Old Town re-enacts Mary and Joseph seeking shelter.

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SLEEPING

High-season summer rates for double-occupancy rooms are listed here; suites cost more. Prices drop significantly between September and June. Whatever time of year, ask about specials and package deals.

The San Diego Convention & Visitor Bureau runs a room-reservation line ( 800-350-6205; www.sandiego.org).

Downtown & Little Italy

BUDGET

USA Hostels San Diego (Map; 619-232-3100, 800-438-8622; www.usahostels.com; 726 5th Ave, Downtown; dm/d incl breakfast $25/61; wi-fi) Housed in a former Victorian-era hotel, this convivial Gaslamp hostel has cheerful rooms, a full kitchen, a lounge for chilling and in-house parties and beach barbecues. The rate includes linen, lockers and tasty pancakes in the morning. It can be a bit noisy, but the crowd here doesn’t seem to mind. No air-con.

500 West Hotel (Map; 619-234-5252, 866-500-7533; www.500westhotel.com; 500 W Broadway, Downtown; s/d/tw without bathroom $59/69/79; ) Rooms are shoebox-sized and bathrooms are down the hallway in this 1920s YMCA building (renovated in 2004), but hipsters