Balboa Park 8-Mile & 3-Mile Runs     Aug. 4You can choose between an 8-mile run or a shorter 3-mile run. Both courses travel through and around Balboa Park giving athletes a variance of travel and a refreshing workout. 7:30-10am. $15 (8-Mile Run) ~ $10 (3-Mile Run) (619) 578-4666 / www.sdtc.com
 
San Diego Surf Cup 2012     Aug. 4-9One of the top two youth soccer tournaments in the United States. Participating teams (age 9-18) come from as many as 25 states and other countries. 8am-8pm. San Diego Polo Field: 14555 El Camino Real. (760) 944-7176 / www.surfcup.com
 

Clairemont Family Day     Aug. 4Music and staged entertainment; plus food, merchandise, games, pony rides, carnival rides, and a car show. The recreation pool is open for FREE swimming. 8am-5pm. South Clairemont Rec. Center: 3605 Clairemont Dr. (858) 581-9924 / www.clairemontfamilyday.com 

 

Marine Band San Diego Summer Concert     Aug. 4Little Italy is proud to present a special summer concert performance by the Marine Band of San Diego along with a fun and entertaining party band and jazz band. The music is sensational! Seating is limited, so come early. 6-8pm. Date Street. (619) 233-3898 / www.littleitalysd.com
 

Color Me Rad 5K     Aug. 11Along the route as athletes pass by color stations, they are splashed with a colors. At the finish, everyone can have fun joyously tossing colors at each other. Benefits Deaf Community Services of San Diego. 9-11:30am.
Petco Park. 30-$50. (801) 458-8533 / www.colormerad.com 
Bird Rock - Taking It To The Streets     Aug. 11Today is a good day to visit the community of Bird Rock. Merchant shops and restaurants along La Jolla Boulevard are holding open houses with discounts or give-aways. There's music, food, and entertaining activities for children. 11am-3pm. La Jolla Blvd. (858) 525-3714
 

CityFest     Aug. 12Saged entertainment, food, beer, merchandise, games, rides, and a lot of fun activities. Highlights include a water mist cool off zone, dunk tank, carnival games, craft activities, pony rides, mechanical bull rides, and more. 12-10pm. Hillcrest. (619) 252-5826 / www.fabuloushillcrest.com 
Best of San Diego Party     Aug. 17Food tasting event offering delicious cuisine from popular established restaurants. Rock and pop music and dance performances. Proceeds benefit the New Children's Museum. 6:30-9:30pm. Liberty Station. $35. (619) 744-0516 / www.sandiegomagazine.com
 

TRASH the Gala     Aug. 18Cocktails followed by a parade, then fine dining, a live auction, and dancing. New Children's Museum (Island Ave. between Front St. & Union St.) until midnight. Proceeds are used to expand education opportunities for children. 5:30pm. (619) 795-1774 / www.thinkplaycreate.org 
Midnight Madness Festival     Aug. 18-19There's musical entertainment, a beer garden tasting tent, refreshments, activities, and bike-related merchandise. This event is in conjunction with the "Midnight Madness Fun Bicycle Ride". 10:30pm-2am. Spanish Landing Park (east). www.sandiegomidnightmadness.org
 

America's Finest City 5K Run/Walk     Aug. 19Balboa Park is the perfect place to hold a 5K run/walk. The scenic beauty of trees, fountains, and sculptured buildings make it a pleasant experience for athletes. In conjunction with "America's Finest City Half Marathon". 7-8:30am. $35-$45. (760) 692-2900 / www.afchalf.com 
Wild Rides Car Show     Aug. 19Hundreds of hot rods and classic cars. Demonstrations such as a dragster called the "Wild Thing" and a contest such as the "Engine Blowup". There's staged entertainment of music, dance, comics, and a bikini contest. 10am-3pm. Garnet Ave. in Pacific Beach. (760) 440-0896
 

Mira Mesa Festival of Beers     Aug. 25Beer lovers are coming to Mira Mesa to sample craft beers from local breweries where patrons (age 21+) can sample up to 18 different beers. Live band music accompanies the event. 1-6pm. Walker Park: 10524 Black Mountain Rd. $20-$30. (619) 549-2644 
Bike The Bay     Aug. 26It's a 25-mile bike ride that begins at the Embarcadero Marina Park South and travels over the magnificent Coronado Bay Bridge and back to the marina by way of the Bayshore Bikeway. 7am-12pm. Embarcadero Marina Park S. (619) 977-2989 / www.bikethebay.net
 

End of Summer Fire Run     Aug. 26A summertime 4K run/walk will travel from La Jolla to Pacific Beach. Awards are presented to the first three finishers in each age division. Proceeds from the event benefit the San Diego Fire Rescue Foundation. 8-10am. $33-$48. (619) 298-7400 / www.kathyloperevents.com
Robert Egger South Bay Recreation Center Carnival     Aug. 26-28Everybody is welcome to come to this carnival at the Robert Egger South Bay Recreation Center (1885 Coronado Ave.) Attractions include exciting carnival rides and games for all ages; plus snacks and a portrait novelty booth. 5-11pm.  (760) 735-8542 / www.amusements.com 

This information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.