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The San Diego skyline
John Bahu

Southern California

Spotlight: San Diego

As if all that sunshine wasn’t enough, San Diego  is a waterfront city with top-notch restaurants, beautiful and ocean-sprayed vistas (often at the same time), areas that are steeped in history and culture, and perfectly hopped beer to enjoy after a day of Southern California fun. Whether you’re spending a few days indulging in the myriad of aquatic pastimes that are available at the Mission Bay Aquatic Park, the largest of its kind in the world, or exploring the inland offerings of the city, San Diego will not disappoint.

Read on to discover some of those outstanding culinary venues, including the ones with the most relaxing and photo-worthy waterfront settings. Find out about the can’t-miss shops and hangouts in key areas such as the Gaslamp Quarter, the East Village, North Park, Old Town and others, and discover how you can leave your car—and parking worries—out of your daily plans and get around via the extensive system of trams, light rail, trains, buses and water taxis.

Not every culinary experience that San Diego offers is in a restaurant, of course. Find out about the annual Latin Food Fest, and the year-round foodie extravaganza that is Liberty Public Market, a former naval complex that now houses over 30 upmarket food and drink vendors. There’s also essential information about nearby La Jolla, SeaWorld San Diego, the Maritime Museum, San Diego County’s famous collection of craft breweries and Torrey Pines Gliderport, and tips on how to get the most out of the annual Comic-Con International: San Diego event. 

In short—if you’re a fan of amazing weather, exceptional dining experiences, unbeatable outdoor recreation options and great shopping, you’ll find yourself smiling in San Diego.

 

 

Paddleboarding in Mission Bay, San Diego
Dave Lauridsen

Mission & San Diego Bays

San Diego County on a map of California
Mission & San Diego Bays
Visit waterfront parks for boating, biking and roller coasters

Mission Bay and San Diego Bay adorn the edge of the city like sparkling gems and the 4,600 acre Mission Bay Aquatic Park is the centrepiece of it all. Regardless of your experience level there’s some kind of water activity at this sprawling aquatic wonderland that will fit the bill. Dozens of outfitters such as those at the Aquatic Center at Santa Clara Point can get you out on the blue via every imaginable conveyance; kayak, stand-up paddleboard, motorised watercraft, yacht or kite board. For a more novel approach board the Bahia Belle, a Mississippi River–style paddleboat, snuggle aboard a romantic Venetian gondola or try jet-packing to skim across the water like James Bond.

If you prefer a cruise experience, Hornblower and Flagship Cruises let you get a millionaire’s view of the bay on scenic tours, as well as offering dinner and brunch cruises and whale watching tours. If you're in the area over the 4th of July you’re in for a treat as San Diego Bay hosts Big Bay Boom, the largest fireworks display in the county. In winter it hosts the Parade of Lights which begins at Shelter Island and finishes at the Coronado ferry landing. The free parade features about 80 seriously elaborately adorned boats and draws huge crowds along the shoreline.

Mission Beach, the narrow strip of land between Mission Bay and the Pacific, is chock-a-block with surfing shops, t-shirt stores and funky beach bars and there’s a 3 mile oceanfront boardwalk that rivals Venice Beach for people watching. At Belmont Park, classic amusement rides include the Giant Dipper wooden rollercoaster and FlowRider Wave House as well as rock climbing, bumper cars, miniature golf and arcade games. Mission Bay also has 27 miles of water’s edge pathways, perfect for walking and cycling and at the end of South Mission Beach Park you can cast a line from the Mission Beach jetty and maybe catch some dinner. While in the area set aside a day or two to experience SeaWorld San Diego, the largest aquatic park of its kind.

Insider tip: dogs are only allowed on Fiesta Island, which closes at 10 pm.

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Robert Benson

Liberty Public Market

San Diego County on a map of California
Liberty Public Market
Browse more than 30 food, beverage, and artisan vendors under one roof at San Diego’s Liberty Station

For a dining experience that will satisfy any craving, head to Liberty Public Market in San Diego’s Liberty Station, just three miles from the airport. Opened in March 2016, the 25,000-square-foot building (a converted Naval complex) boasts more than 30 vendors offering diverse options—from French pastries to fresh oysters to cold-pressed juice—focused on showcasing all that the city has to offer.

“Liberty Public Market embodies the unique spirit of San Diego—it’s a combination of everything that makes us such a vibrant place,” says David Spatafore of Blue Bridge Hospitality, which owns and operates Liberty Public Market. “San Diego has a rich history, buzzing dining scene, and a deep passion for locally sourced ingredients, all of which enhances our reputation as a food destination. It’s one of those places you visit to get a flavor of our amazing city.”

Many of the market’s restaurants started as popular food trucks around San Diego, such as handmade sausage shop Mastiff Sausage Company, and Stuffed!, which offers crispy tater tots and deep-fried Oreos. Other vendors focus on one specialty—like custom-cut meats at Liberty Meat Shop, artisanal cheese at Venissimo Cheese shop, or seasonal noodles at Pasta Design.

Need a strategy for how to tackle your first visit? Start with a local beverage. If it’s afternoon, try a Kryptonite (mint-infused cold brew) from WestBean Coffee. If it’s later in the day, take advantage of the market’s unique liquor license and imbibe while you browse—grab a beer from specialty craft shop Bottlecraft (24 beers on draft and 500 bottles for sale) or sample one of 500 wines from Grape Smuggler.

Next, scout out appetizer-sized items, such as Paraná’s empanadas with homemade chimichurri sauce or FishBone Kitchen’s ceviche served fresh in a martini glass. Then, move on to heartier options, such as a lobster roll from Wicked Maine Lobster or jambalaya at Southern-focused Cane Patch Kitchen. Be sure to save room for dessert—it’s hard to pass up the colorful candy-topped cakes and massive cookies from Crafted Baked Goods, which is also home to the popular Scooped by MooTime ice cream counter.

If you prefer a sit-down experience that brings together multiple vendors, head to Mess Hall, which features a daily changing menu with recommended beer or wine pairings for each dish.

Insider’s tip: Consider visiting during Happy Hour, when nearly every vendor has a food or drink special.

 

 

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Dave Lauridsen

Balboa Park

San Diego County on a map of California
Balboa Park
Visit a historic gem called the “Smithsonian of the West”

From pandas and koala bears at its iconic zoo, to a remarkable collection of museums and gardens, this oasis in the heart of the city has been a vibrant part of San Diego culture for a hundred years. First and foremost, Balboa Park is a horticultural marvel: the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden alone has more than 130 varieties of rose (learn more about it and the rest of the park’s greenery on free 1-hour Offshoot Tours, offered on Saturday morning). 

Museums abound; local favourites include the Museum of Man, San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Natural History Museum, Fleet Science Center and the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Culture reigns supreme too: The Old Globe Theatre hosts its famed Shakespeare Festival each summer; live bands and outdoor film screenings abound. 

All this, plus one of the world’s finest zoos. Over 3,700 animals from 650 species—many of them extremely rare— are showcased at the San Diego Zoo, with naturalised exhibits covering roughly 100 acres. Get a special look at the zoo’s three giant pandas by signing up for ‘Early Morning with Pandas’, visiting the panda viewing area before it officially opens for the day. Check the Balboa Park website for special events, and for ticketing deals bundling zoo and museum visits. 

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Rick Schwartz on Balboa Park
Rick Schwartz, Animal Care Supervisor for the World Famous San Diego Zoo, shares his love of the city's Balboa Park.
What a change in weather! It was sleeting when I left St. Louis. Here, on the 23rd of February, palm leaves flutter in warm wind and sun.
Charles Lindbergh
San Diego neighbourhoods
Dave Lauridsen

San Diego: Districts

San Diego County on a map of California
San Diego: Districts
Cultural flair or flip-flop casual—San Diego’s got it all

Little Italy, North Park, South Park, East Village; San Diego’s diverse city centre districts are filled with personality and local finds. These pedestrian-friendly enclaves are the epicentre of San Diego’s burgeoning culinary movement, progressive art scene and craft beer boom.

Start your own sampling in North Park, the area bordering Balboa Park’s north-east side. Near the corner of 30th Street and Upas Street, enjoy classic and modern French bistro fare and a wine list with extensive French and Californian vintages at The Smoking Goat, or wing it at local favourite Carnitas’ Snack Shop (the menu changes daily depending on the fresh produce and other ingredients available that day). Hip art abounds in this trendy neighbourhood; it’s the place to be for galleries, street musicians and elaborate murals. If you’re in town in early May, don’t miss the district’s annual Festival of Arts, which features live art demonstrations, music performances, and purveyors of local beer and food.  

In the East Village, locals savour top-tier tacos and cocktails at Lola55, which has a Michelin Bib Gourmand award under its belt. Or pay a visit to the two-level, 706-square-metre Storyhouse Spirits distillery and restaurant to sample some of their house-distilled vodkas and gins, along with Oysters Storyhouse (their signature take on oysters Rockefeller) or bourbon-spiked Distiller’s Onion Soup.

In South Park (east of Balboa Park), find whimsical clothes and jewellery at Junc.Life Boutique, or enjoy an artichoke po’ boy (Louisiana-style filled baguette) or Wizard Bowl salad at vegetarian bistro Kindred on 30th Street.

Food, craft beer, boutique shopping and live music are all part of the historic Gaslamp Quarter, the part of town that tends to keep things hopping ‘til the small hours.

Little Italy, known for (you guessed it), Italian restaurants (Barbusa and Civico 1845 are two of the best), also has chic shops housed in bungalows, as well as plenty of pavement cafés and pizzerias along India Street. Two particularly noteworthy places are Juniper and Ivy and Kettner Exchange—both number among the city’s Michelin Bib Gourmand winners. To really get a sense and taste of the area, book a Little Italy food tour, or, if you’re in town for a Saturday, wander through the Little Italy Mercato farmers' market.

If you fancy handmade, still-warm tortillas, head straight for Old Town, site of California’s first Spanish settlement, with restored adobes now housing shops and restaurants. True to its roots, there are many options when it comes to Spanish and Mexican cuisine; Casa Guadalajara has a fountain-adorned courtyard and live mariachi music.

Insider tip: leave your car in the car park and take advantage of San Diego’s excellent network of trains and trams that criss-cross the city.

 

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Tina Mickelson on Great Date Nights in San Diego
Tina Mickelson shares some of her favourite San Diego date night venues.
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Gwynne Spann

San Diego: Craft Beers

San Diego County on a map of California
San Diego: Craft Beers
Raise a glass in one of America’s top craft beer towns

Microbrewing has caught on big time in San Diego, with more than 85 craft breweries throughout the region. The tidal wave began with innovative brewers like Stone Brewing Company and Karl Strauss. Now, it’s craft-y all over San Diego—in pubs, restaurants and in the breweries themselves (many offer tours). And in a growing trend, San Diego’s chefs are starting to design beer-pairing menus or foods featuring local brews. Some breweries now offer their own eateries (Stone Brewing’s World Bistro & Gardens is a stellar example). 

San Diego’s brews and brewers haven’t gone unnoticed, earning international recognition. (Yes, there is a World Beer Cup; no, you cannot be a judge). AleSmith Brewing Company and Ballast Point Brewing Company are two microbreweries that have been lauded. And you don’t have to go to a brewery to taste these world-class beers: many eateries, such as Hamilton's Tavern in South Park, offer an array of local brews. 

Spotlight: San Diego GreenFlash_SDBeer
San Diego Brewers on the Craft Beer Capital of America
Raise a glass and salute the more than 115 breweries in San Diego County.
I like the beach community there. It’s very much like the ‘60s still...I go to San Diego to get back in touch with what I’m supposed to be doing sometimes.
Phil Garris (Grateful Dead cover album artist)
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La Jolla

La Jolla

La Jolla
Find something for everyone in this multi-faceted seaside jewel

Although technically part of San Diego, the community of La Jolla feels like a destination unto itself: you could easily spend a few days in this enclave and get a full Southern California experience—along with a walkable village of hotels, shops, and cafés that possess a sophisticated vibe.

 

For starters, La Jolla (pronounced la HOY-uh) has a prime perch on San Diego County’s coastline. Located about 20 minutes north of downtown, La Jolla is home to the wide, white-sand beaches of La Jolla Shores, with surfing, snorkelling, and made-for-sunset fire-pits, as well as an adjacent playground for kids. Head out onto the waters with one of the local operators, like La Jolla Kayak or San Diego Bike and Kayak Tours, and paddle or snorkel among La Jolla’s marine denizens, from colourful garibaldi to (harmless) leopard sharks. To see more aquatic critters while on land, explore the Birch Aquarium, affiliated with the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography, or stand along the sea wall at beach known as The Children’s Pool, and watch a large community of seals lounge, bark, and tend to their cubs.

 

The seals live right next to the heart of La Jolla, the hilly village areas known as The Cove and Bird Rock. The ocean is still in plain view amid the shops, eateries, and places to stay—like La Valencia Hotel, the Mediterranean-style “Pink Lady” that once hosted World War II soldiers about to ship out, as well as Hollywood A-Listers like Gregory Peck. Shop in the upscale boutiques along Girard Avenue and Prospect Street, or dine at beloved George’s at the Cove, farm-to-table WhisknLadle, colourful taco haven Puesto, or seafood-rich Nine-Ten.

 

Don’t miss the cultural stops, too, like the La Jolla branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Warwick’s (the nation’s oldest family-owned bookstore), or the local art galleries such as Legends Gallery, where you can see out-of-the box paintings by the late Theodore Geisel, the long-time La Jolla resident better known as Dr. Seuss.

(Insider tip: Look at the unique flora around La Jolla to see what may have inspired Seuss’s whimsical plants and trees).

 

Some must-stops in La Jolla stretch beyond the Cove. The Marine Room, on La Jolla Shores, offers incredible “high tide” brunches and dinners where the tall waves crash into the giant windows as you eat. To the north, tee off at Torrey Pines Golf Course (which will host the U.S. Open again in 2021), next to the sumptuous Lodge at Torrey Pines, or see a future Broadway hit at La Jolla Playhouse (co-founded by Gregory Peck in 1947), the birthplace of Jersey Boys and Come From Away. Another great option: hike the ocean-view trails at the Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve, under the shade of the rare, long-needled pine trees that are common in this little pocket of the Golden State.

Tacos on the San Diego waterfront
Dave Lauridsen

San Diego: Waterfront Dining

San Diego County on a map of California
San Diego: Waterfront Dining
Sunset views, fresh seafood—a perfect pairing in San Diego

With the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay on its doorstep, San Diego defines waterfront dining. Travel the coast to get a taste—literally—of what the region has to offer along the edge of the sea.

Travelling from south to north start in peaceful Coronado and relax at the Instagram worthy Bluewater Grill housed in the historic former Hotel del Coronado Boathouse that was built in 1887 as a chart house.

Casual lunch? San Diego Pier Café on the waterfront serves hearty cioppino and crunch perfect fish and chips. Also in the city centre on the Embarcadero there’s Sally’s Fish House & Bar and The Fish Market, two more places to try for a fresh catch of the day with waterfront views.

Across San Diego Bay head to Harbor Island and Tom Ham’s Lighthouse (yes, it really is housed in a lighthouse). Nearby Island Prime makes the most of the view with floor to ceiling windows and an over the water terrace and Coasterra Modern Mexican’s 2,600 square metre presence on the water with views to match is nothing short of a San Diego al fresco dining mecca.  

If you want tunes try Humphrey’s Restaurant on Shelter Island; check the calendar for the live music slated for its outdoor amphitheatre. Also on Shelter Island is Bali Hai Restaurant which offers Polynesian cuisine (seafood prepared with ingredients such as coconut milk, ginger, lime, tamarind and tropical fruits) as well as extensive vegetarian and gluten free menus. In nearby Point Loma check out Point Loma Seafoods which specialises in homemade hickory smoked fillets served on hot sourdough bread and has been an institution since 1963. Two streets away is Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar.

Finally, head up to La Jolla for brunch at Brockton Villa—the Crab Ipanema Eggs Benedict won’t disappoint. Around the corner is George’s on the Cove which Open Table has rated as one of the 100 best al fresco restaurants in the country. The multilevel views are incredible and what may be their signature offering, fish tacos on the terrace, has earned a dedicated following. 

 

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Dave Lauridsen

Coronado

San Diego County on a map of California
Coronado
Explore the Del and get a dose of small-town charm

Like an island getaway a stone’s throw from the city, the appealing island community of Coronado feels like a private world surrounded by perfect beaches, including the ultra-family-friendly Coronado Beach. As well as those soft sands, the island’s crown jewel is the Hotel Del Coronado, built in 1888 and topped by russet red, castle-like turrets. Explore the reception area and grounds on your own, or join a guided tour offered by the Coronado Historical Association; guides share anecdotes of the Del’s remarkable history and guest list (including Marilyn Monroe, who starred—alongside the hotel—in the 1959 comedy Some Like It Hot). The Del also serves a sumptuous Sunday brunch, and the Babcock & Story bar is perfect for sipping a craft beer with views of the Pacific. Not far from the Del, the Loews Coronado Bay Resort sits on its own 15-acre peninsula and is known both for its water sports and for being especially dog-friendly.

The diminutive island, reached by the arching Coronado Bridge, is easy to explore by bike. Hire one from Holland’s Bicycles to pedal past elegant ocean-front mansions and well-tended gardens, or visit Orange Avenue, lined with shops, restaurants, galleries and theatres. More shops and art galleries are located at Ferry Landing, and restaurants such as Il Fornaio Coronado and Peohe’s have extensive views of San Diego’s city-centre skyline across San Diego Bay.

Travel tip: traffic on the San Diego-Coronado Bridge can be heavy, especially on summer weekends. Flagship Cruises will ferry you from Ferry Landing, across the Bay, to the Embarcadero. Water taxis are available too.

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San Diego County on a map of California
Cabrillo National Monument
Learn about San Diego’s Spanish roots, go tide pooling and watch for whales at this historic park

Charged by his native Spain to explore new worlds, Spaniard explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo stepped ashore at this tip of land in 1542, making him the first European to set foot on the West Coast. The Cabrillo National Monument, established in 1913, commemorates his discovery on the point of Point Loma in San Diego.

Start at the visitor centre, where short films and ranger talks offer interesting insights into Cabrillo and his history. Walk to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which has been restored to reflect what lighthouse life was like for lightkeepers and their families in the 1800s.

But locals (and sage visitors) also know that this tip-of-land perch offers astounding views of the San Diego skyline and the seething Pacific. Hiking trails twist through 660 acres/267 hectares of coastal habitat, so it’s easy to strike out on your own for even more panoramic beauty.

The 2.5-mile/4-km Bayside Trail looks out to San Diego Bay, and the easy Coastal Tidepool Trail takes you to some of the best tide pooling in California (look, but don’t touch). Visit in late fall or winter for the best viewing opportunities, when low tides occur during daylight hours. Keep an eye out for multiple tidepool species, which range from periwinkle snails and acorn barnacles to anemones and sea stars, in a variety of different intertidal zones. 

Look for the coastal defence systems the city put in place in World War II to fend off the Japanese Navy. From mid-December to late March, the bluffs—and specifically the Whale Overlook—are a great place to watch migrating Pacific grey whales. If you forget binoculars, a limited number are available at the visitors centre.

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The world's oldest, still working ship, the Star of India was built in 1863 and has her home port in San Diego. She has completed 21 circumnavigations.
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Andreas Hub

USS Midway & the Waterfront

San Diego County on a map of California
USS Midway & the Waterfront
Experience hands on maritime history that will shiver your timbers

Most kids love boats, so you can imagine how excited they get about a really, really big boat. Downtown San Diego’s USS Midway Museum is just that: a retired aircraft carrier that is now permanently docked and open to visitors along the city’s Embarcadero. The deck of the enormous ship is covered with naval aircraft from World War II through Operation Desert Storm—not just for looking at but for climbing inside and exploring, too. Other interactive exhibits include you-are-there-style recordings of real conversations between military pilots and a chance to ride in a flight simulator.

Also on the downtown waterfront, the Maritime Museum of San Diego is fittingly housed within one of the finest collections of historic ships in the world, including the awe-inspiring sailing ships Star of IndiaHMS Surprise (the floating star of Pirates of the Caribbean 4), and the Californian, a replica of a gold rush-era revenue cutter and the Official Tall Ship of the State of California. Coolest of all, some of the ships go sailing and whale watching, with you aboard; including a 75-minute tour of San Diego Bay aboard an aptly named, Vietnam War-era Swift Boat.

San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter
Dave Lauridsen

San Diego: Getting Around

San Diego County on a map of California
San Diego: Getting Around
Use this quick guide to navigate San Diego via car, shuttle bus, train, water taxi and other public transportation options

The sprawling city of San Diego may best be explored by hire car if you plan to see from the city centre right up to coastal North County. But if you plan to focus your stay in certain areas or want to just venture out for the day consider San Diego’s many transportation options, listed below.

City Centre Shuttle Buses

In summer (from Memorial Day (end of May) to Labor Day (first weekend in September)), a few dollars will get you an all-day travel pass on the Big Bay Shuttle, which has eight stops along the bay front from Harbor Island to the South Embarcadero (city centre); you can get on and off wherever and whenever you want.

Trains

Transportation from central San Diego to numerous coastal attractions and communities is easy leave your car and parking hassles at the hotel and take one of the Coaster trains for a relaxing ride to the water; a round trip to the North County town of Oceanside (the furthest point) is $11 for adults and children aged six and up. Another option is the Sprinter light railway that runs east-west connecting the craft beer hubs of Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido. (A regional day pass valid on this line as well as buses and trams is available.) The trains run every 30 minutes and cost $2 per single ticket for adults and children under six travel for free.

Water Taxis and Ferries

The topography of San Diego Bay is famously intermingled with water but that is no obstacle. San Diego Water Taxi offers on call transportation between the city centre and Coronado from Friday to Sunday. And on weekdays from the city centre's Broadway Pier a 15-minute journey on Flagship Cruises’s ferry will see you in Coronado as well. Or have some fun with your terrestrial transport.

Unique Options

GoCar Tours-San Diego has a fleet of three wheeled convertible mini cars for two, each complete with a GPS guided tour of central San Diego and the adjoining areas.

Along the city centre waterfront and in the Gaslamp Quarter you’ll find pedicabs and horse drawn carriages. In the city centre you can also look for the iconic bright red San Diego Trollies (a single fare is $2.50; buses are $2.25) as they ply to and from key locations in the city and also head for places like Old Town and Mission Valley.

On Foot

Much of the city,including areas such as North Park and Little Italyare easily explored on foot. Once you find yourself in one of them—the Gaslamp Quarter alone has over 100 restaurants, bars and nightclubs, for example—you may not want to go anywhere else. One good way to make the most of your time on foot is by booking a guided walking tour; there are several in the Gaslamp Quarter and others are offered by We Love Tourists, TourGuideTim and San Diego Urban Adventures.

This four-day event in San Diego turned a simple taco fest into something delightfully global

When Latin Food Fest first launched in 2013, its inspiration was pretty local: the south-of-the-border Mexican cuisine of Baja California....

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Courtesy of Latin Food Fest
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Star Wars Cosplay at Comic-Con
Daniel Knighton/Getty Images

How to Hack Comic-Con

San Diego County on a map of California
How to Hack Comic-Con
Tips for making the most of the Comic-Con experience, even if you don’t have a ticket

The yearly arrival of Comic-Con International brings legions of fanboys and fangirls to San Diego every July for a celebration of swords, superheroes and sci-fi fare.

The annual convention, which began in 1970, now ranks as one of the largest events of its kind in the world, attracting more than 160,000 attendees to the San Diego Convention Center and surrounding Gaslamp Quarter every summer. What originally began as an event catering to comic-book fans has grown into a massive, multimedia affair that attracts top Hollywood studios and television networks looking to connect with fans about the next (or current) blockbuster or hit series. For one week every July, the centre of San Diego turns into fandom central.

Whether you’re attending for the first or the 20th time, or are simply looking for the best people-watching spots, these tips will make your Comic-Con experience a memorable one.

Comic-Con events you don’t need a pass for

The number of events happening outside the convention centre grows every year, and many of the pop-up attractions don’t require a pass to attend.

Local breweries often get into the spirit with events like Hop-Con: The Wootstout Festival, which celebrates San Diego's status as the centre of the nerd universe. Given San Diego's reputation as 'the Craft Beer Capital of America' with more than 150 breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs calling the county home, the combination of local breweries and the Comic-Con crowd is a natural fit.

The schedule of events is updated frequently—right up to and throughout the show, in fact—so keep an eye out for information about fan parties and meet-ups being held during the week, as many of them are open to the public. Many of the media outlets covering the show will host (or co-host) parties and after-hours events during the convention, with details provided on their websites, at their stands inside the show and at pop-up locations around the convention centre. Bookmark the Unofficial Blog’s Guide to Comic Con and the Comic-Con Blog for the most up-to-the-minute schedules of events.

Where to go for the full Comic-Con experience

Much of the area surrounding the San Diego Convention Center will be in full-on Comic-Con mode throughout the show, but there are a few local landmarks you’ll want to visit to make your experience complete.

The claim to fame for Kansas City Barbeque, which is located a few streets north of the convention centre, is that it’s where the famous Tom Cruise 'You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'' scene from Top Gun was filmed. Even if you’re not a fan of the 1980s' flick, the popular bar and restaurant provides excellent people-watching opportunities from its patio, which happens to sit on one of the main routes to and from Comic-Con.

A trip to Comic-Con isn’t complete without a stop at Tin Fish Gaslamp on Sixth Avenue. Famous for its fish tacos, the restaurant is another popular people-watching location that offers a great view of both the Comic-Con crowds and the harbour, and you’re likely to spot more than a few comic creators and guests of the show enjoying a quick bite during the weekend too. 

On that note, if you’re looking to hobnob with Comic-Con royalty, the surrounding hotel bars and lounge areas are popular meeting places for the show's guests and attendees once the convention centre closes its doors each day. The common areas at nearby hotels like the Manchester Grand Hyatt can offer a great opportunity to extend the Comic-Con experience after the sun goes down. 

What to look for inside Comic-Con

If you’re fortunate enough to have a pass for the convention, check the Comic-Con website for the show’s schedule of programming, which is typically released two weeks before the show and tends to be updated as changes occur. Below are a few must-sees, regardless of what you’re planning to do during the show.

Hall H is where all the big film studios reveal footage and make major announcements, so you typically have to queue up extremely early—sometimes for a full day—to gain access to particular events. In recent years, the Comic-Con staff have occasionally issued wristbands to attendees queuing up well in advance of Hall H events, so it's worth asking Comic-Con staff (either via email in advance or on-site when the show starts) about the best way to ensure you'll get a seat this year.

The annual Comic-Con Masquerade costume contest is typically held on the Saturday evening of the show, and attracts some of the most creative cosplay artists you’ll find at any convention. Sure, you’ll see a mass of Spider-Man and Harley Quinn costumes wandering the halls, but these elaborate costumes will rival anything you’ll see in a blockbuster film. 

If you’re looking for your favourite comic artists and illustrators at the show, make your way to Artists’ Alley. Many artists take commissions at the show, and some even do free sketches.

Finding your own Comic-Con HQ

If you don’t already have accommodation booked for the show, the challenge of finding a hotel room could prove difficult—but not impossible. Check Comic-Con’s website for the latest information on availability. The site gives a list of participating hotels and tells you the current status of those offering special Comic-Con rates and room packages.

Given the early rush to book as many rooms as possible, there will typically be quite a few cancellations in the lead-up to the show. Call hotels directly to enquire about room availability—the hotels furthest from the convention centre are likely to regain availability the earliest. When investigating room availability, keep San Diego's public transportation system in mind—the central tram heads east and south to La Mesa, National City and Chula Vista, while the Coaster connects the city with the North County beach towns of Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside. Both are viable options for reaching the convention centre without driving, with more potential for hotel availability.

Helpful Comic-Con tips

• If you can wait to buy souvenirs (and they're not in danger of selling out), do it on Sunday. All the vendors will want to sell the last of their merchandise so that they won’t have to take it home. If you want to buy anything exclusive to this year’s show or commission an artist for a drawing, however, do so as early as possible.

• Bring these essentials for a comfortable experience: a refillable water bottle, poster tubes to protect any art you buy, sun cream (in case you end up queuing outdoors for an event), an extra phone charger and battery, and comfortable shoes.

• When you need a break from the crowds, venture outside the main convention hall in the direction of some of the smaller panel rooms, and you’ll find some relatively quiet corridors with space to sit on the ground and possibly a power socket to charge your phone.

Comic-Con
Comics, Art and Culture Collide at Comic-Con® San Diego
Each year, costume-clad artists, creative geeks and Hollywood elites flock to San Diego to be nerdy at the largest Comic-Con® in the world.
Spotlight: San Diego vcw_d_sdcity_midway_sized
The USS Midway, now an acclaimed maritime museum, was America's longest-serving aircraft carrier during the 20th century.