San Diego Comic-Con is the largest comic book, film and television gathering in the world. Here is a beginners guide to how to plan your trip to the greatest pop culture event of the year.
Comic-Con takes place mid July and is set in San Diego, California. The convention center is right at the bay and across from the famous Gaslamp District. Gaslamp district is a street filled with bars and shops that during the week of Comic-con are usually transformed into something geeky and nerdy like a Super Mario Bros. bar or a Final Fantasy night club. During the event, the street is usually closed off to vehicles so that pedestrians can walk and party in the streets.
How to get tickets? Usually you need to register the prior year around November and hope you are lucky enough to be selected to purchase tickets sometime around February so you can get into the con. Inside the convention center you can visit panels, meet and greets with celebs and artists and much more. Inside the con you will be able to get limited time very rare and special memorabilia like exclusive figures and clothing.
Do you need tickets? No. Comic-con has exploded to the point where going without a ticket is just as fun. Outside the convention center are a number of themes and events from different companies for free. Yes this is all free, you do not need a pass to go into all the free events outside. Just to name a few of the many events I have been to outside the con for free, there is Adult Swim Fair, DC super hero sideshow, Nintendo lounge, Dragon Ball tournament and much much more.
The best advice I can give you if you do plan your trip to San Diego Comic-con is to book your hotel or air BNB early in the year as they can tend to fill up and sell out quick for this week. Stay hydrated as well as it can be pretty hot being in Southern California in mid July. Be sure to also pack sunscreen and walking shoes as the convention is massive and walking across the entire thing even if you are only here for the free stuff can get exhausting.
Be sure to bring a backpack as well as being in the con or outside the con you will be loaded with all kinds of free swag that could become a collectible one day. Let me know if I missed anything and whether or not you’ve been here before.
About Post Author
