Not all of the action goes down at the Convention Center. In fact, some of the most fun ways to fan out are open to the public and don’t require a badge. Here’s just a sampling of the best badge-less things to do, for geeks of all ages and predilections.
What was known as Petco Park’s Interactive Zone is back with a new name but the same concept of a “pop-culture playground.” Three acres of Petco Park’s parking lot will host the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters, a very hungry Sharkzilla, and a semi-truck equipped with gaming pods equipped with Forza Motorsport 7 on Xbox One X, and a lot more. Did we mention food trucks?
Hulu’s Castle Rock House
Where: Front Street and Island Avenue
When: July 19-22
There will be no pause button when you get freaked out at this real life house at Front Street and Island Avenue. The house will embody scary stuff from the Hulu original series Castle Rock, based on the work of Stephen King.
Though parents are probably the real superheroes, kids get to strut their stuff while dressed as their favorite superhero in this costume parade through Liberty Public Market. Scooped ice cream shop will reward the best-dressed groms with free ice cream scoops (while parents can find their own boozy milkshakes at Mess Hall Bar). There’s also a petting zoo.
The Movie Music of John Williams
Where: Jacobs Music Center
When: July 18, 7:30 p.m.
Hear the rousing soundtracks of Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and Star Wars in the setting they were intended: a symphony hall. The concert will be preceded by a costume contest. Because Comic-Con. Tickets are $30 to $45.
4 Fun Things to Do at Comic-Con 2018, No Badge Required
Comic-Con International in San Diego | Photo: Kelly Kennedy
No badge? No problem. Comic-Con might be the main event, but San Diego is bursting with offsite experiences anyone can get into. Whether you want to meet your favorite comic artist, dance the night away, pretend you’re in the Whoniverse, or simply grab a selfie in a life-size Barbie box, here are 12 ways to join the fun from outside the convention center.
Courtesy of Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll Anime FanFest
Did somebody say free music festival? We’re in. Don your dancing shoes and hit Crunchyroll Anime FanFest at The Rady Shell for live performances by Denzel Curry, SPYAIR, yama, INIKO, and more. This celebration of anime and music will also have exclusive merch, giveaways, and an immersive crosswalk activation.
Date & Time: July 25–26, 1 p.m. Location: The Rady Shell, 222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero= Price: Free
The Whoniverse is taking over The Harbor Club with an all new immersive pop-up inside UNIT’s top-secret “Black Archive.” Fans can snap a photo inside the Fifteenth Doctor’s TARDIS; explore props and monsters from the show; and, from 6 to 8 p.m., dive into a mission to assist the Doctor in uncovering clues. For Whovians who want to see even more, check out the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder exhibit at the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park.
Date & Time: July 24–26, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. & July 27, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Location: The Harbor Club, 100 East Harbor Drive, Marina District Price: Free
Courtesy of Mattel
Malibu Barbie Cafe
Hi, Barbie! The Malibu Barbie Café is rolling into San Diego just in time for Comic-Con, bringing all the pink, palm trees, and photo ops your heart could desire. Starting July 11 at Bayside Kitchen & Bar, this retro-glam pop-up has themed bites, a $1 charity skate rink, and—yes—a life-size Barbie box. Tickets come with food and merch credit, so grab your crew and hit the dreamhouse.
Date: July 11–Oct. 12, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Location: Bayside Kitchen & Bar, 2137 Pacific Highway, Harborview Price: Starts at $25 per person
Hulu’s King of the Hill
Dust off your boots folks—Hulu is bringing King of the Hill’s Arlen, Texas to SDCC this year with a backyard cookout full of BBQ, lawn games, and plenty of chances to snap pics with the Hill family and iconic landmarks from the show. Try your hand at Alamo Pong, customize a trucker hat at the Mega Lo Mart, and win prizes for successfully landing the Rhinestein’s Cowboy Boot Toss. And yes, there’s Alamo water to beat the heat.
Date: July 24, 11:30 a.m.– 7 p.m.; July 25–26, 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m.; July 27, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Location: Bayfront’s Parking Lot (Fifth Ave Landing – Lot A1) at 600 Convention Way Price: Free
Courtesy of Eventbrite
Ready Party One
Kick off your Comic-Con weekend in style with the return of the fan-favorite Ready Party One event. Think throwback bangers, epic cosplay, free airbrush tattoos, and The Flux Capacitors rocking tracks from pop culture juggernauts like Mortal Kombat and Shrek. Plus, Napoleon Dynamite actor Efren Ramirez is this year’s special guest DJ.
Date & Time: July 23, 8 p.m.–2 a.m. Location: Parq Nightclub, 615 Broadway, Gaslamp Quarter Price: Tickets start at $33
Watch 25 designers from around the country show off their looks in this Wicked-inspired runway show presented by Universal and hosted by founder Ashley Eckstein. The Her Universe Fashion Show returns on July 24 with bold fandom looks and peak geek couture. A $2,000 prize is up for grabs for the show’s two winners, chosen by the audience and judging panel. Free wristbands are available at 10 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis; the show starts at 6 p.m.
Date: July 24, 6 p.m. (wristband distribution starts at 10 a.m.) Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt Seaport Ballroom, 1 Market Place, Downtown Price: Free
Courtesy of the San Diego Padres
Interactive Zone at Petco Park
The Interactive Zone at Petco Park is back with free activations, fan-favorite brands, food trucks, and plenty of freebies for you and your crew. Swing by the Lexus Premier Lot to demo new games from Arc System Works, grab a cute treat from the Hello Kitty food truck, and snap a pic with the cabbage cart in the Magic: The Gathering x Avatar popup.
Date: July 24–July 26, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., July 27 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Location: Lexus Premier Lot across from Petco Park Price: Free
Want to get in on the recent Labubu craze, or need another furry monster toy to add to your collection? You’re in luck, because the La’butique Pop-Up Shop is coming to Petco Park. This limited-time pop-up will be packed with exclusive merch featuring the creepy-cute vinyl creatures everyone’s obsessed with.
Phoenix is a senior at San Diego State University where she studies journalism and photography. You can find her reading at the beach, taking photos at a concert, or cultivating her 200th Spotify playlist.
Get ready to geek out—San Diego Comic-Con 2025 returns to the San Diego Convention Center from Thursday, July 24, through Sunday, July 27. This massive pop-culture celebration draws fans from around the world for panels, celebrity appearances, exclusive merch, cosplay, and major announcements from the biggest names in comics, TV, movies, anime, and gaming.
Founded in the far-far-away year of 1970 under the moniker San Diego’s Golden State Comic-Con, the convention has exploded in popularity. Highlights over the years include an under-the-radar Star Wars preview in 1976, the event’s relocation to the San Diego Convention Center in 1991, Avengers announcement in 2010, and memorable cameos—like Breaking Bad‘s Bryan Cranston going incognito in a Walter White mask.
Each year, Comic-Con puts the international spotlight on San Diego, drawing more than 135,000 visitors. This year, the fun returns with a full slate of panels, events, and passionate fandoms. While major studios like Marvel, DC, and Legendary won’t be attending, there will still be plenty of big names from across the multiverse making appearances.
Whether you’re camping out for Hall H, debuting a fresh cosplay costume, or just enjoying the people-watching downtown, our Comic-Con 2025 guide will ensure you make it to all your favorite events.
Comic-Con 2025 takes place Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27 at the San Diego Convention Center. Preview Night is Wednesday, July 23 and is only open to 2025 badge holders.
Comic-Con 2025 Hours
Wednesday: 6–9 p.m.
Thursday: 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m
Where Do I Pick Up My Comic-Con Badge?
If you registered in advance, Comic-Con badges will be shipped 3–4 weeks before the event. If yours doesn’t arrive, you can pick it up at the Sails Pavilion inside the convention center starting July 22. Bring a valid photo ID and your badge confirmation email.
Can I Still Get Tickets to San Diego Comic-Con 2025?
Badges for Comic-Con 2025 are sold out. To increase your chances next year, register for Comic-Con 2026 on the official website. Open registration begins in November. Mark your calendar and hit that refresh button like you’re the Flash.
How to Get to San Diego Comic-Con?
If you have wings or a cape, getting there is a breeze. If not, transportation might be your kryptonite. Parking downtown is limited, and ride-sharing is strongly recommended. Starting Wednesday, July 23, a complimentary Comic-Con shuttle will run every 15–30 minutes with stops in Mission Valley, downtown, and hotel zones near the airport on Shelter and Harbor Islands.
There are plenty of food and drink vendors inside the convention center. Badge holders can also access the Comic-Con Hospitality Suite at the Marriott Marquis, open 2 p.m.–midnight, Thursday through Saturday. It offers free snacks and an air-conditioned break from the crowds.
What Are the Biggest Events Happening Outside of Comic-Con?
If you missed out on a 2025 badge, there is plenty of fun outside of the convention halls.
This year Paramount+ returns with The Lodge, an immersive activation inviting fans to nerd out with exclusive content in the Gaslamp Quarter. Anime enthusiasts can dive into the Crunchyroll Anime Fan Fest at The Rady Shell, featuring guest panels, limited-edition merch, and interactive installations. Don’t miss the Malibu Barbie Café, transforming Bayside Kitchen & Bar into a sun-soaked, retro-glam pop-up from July 11 through Comic-Con weekend.
Cole Novak is an award-winning writer with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.
A Guide to Offsite Comic-Con Events 2019 to Keep the Festivities Going
Continue your celebration of Comic-Con's 50th Anniversary at these Convention Center-adjacent hotspots, July 18-21
Photo: Shutterstock.com
By Carly Shihadeh
Break out your costumes because Comic-Con is celebrating its golden anniversary this time around—it’s officially 50! But don’t fly away too soon after your day of science fiction and fantasy. Here are some ways to keep the offsite Comic-Con festivities going after the Convention Center empties out.
Help bring the Reddit group, r/comiccon, offline at Trailer Park After Dark for its third annual Unofficial Subreddit Party. RSVPs are closed, but it’s an open event, so get there early to join the party.
Heavy metal meets comics when Exodus performs at House of Blues to celebrate Comic-Con. All ages can rock out, but minors must be accompanied by a guardian.
Already miss Game of Thrones? GOT fans will rejoice as Kristian Nairn (you’ll remember him as the charming but repetitive Hodor) hits the stage at OMNIA in honor of Comic-Con.
Darryl McDaniels (the “DMC” of Run-DMC fame), along with actor Dan Fogler and more celebrity guests will hit the stage for this Guardians of the Galaxy-themed event at Fluxx Nightclub.
Fans of NBC’s biggest shows don’t need Comic-Con tickets to enjoy the event. Replicas of the sets of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place, and Superstore, will take over the Gaslamp District.
Whether you’re enjoying a movie at Gaslamp’s new luxury cinema, Theatre Box, or dinner at the Sugar Factory located inside, you can refuel like a superhero and go back to saving the world. Choose from menu items like the Deadpool Wrap, Wonder Woman Salad, Captain America Burger (with a blue brioche bun), or Hulk Sliders (with green buns; and a take-home duckie, Sugar Factory’s waterfowl mascot).
If we were rebelling against the Empire, we’d need a drink, too. Choose from Star Wars-themed cocktails like the Dantooine Daquiri, the Mon Calamari Mojito, and the Yavin Four at the intimate Cuban restaurant Havana 1920, and toast to the rebels.
Check your lightsabers at the door and order mixers inspired by Star Wars: The Old Republic, including the Darth Revan Cooler, Ebon Hawk, and Grey Jedi Jungle Juice.
You won’t have to use the force to find this speakeasy (well, maybe just a touch of it). Prohibition is located underground at 548 Fifth Avenue, and will be serving up three Jedi-inspired cocktails: Crazy Old Ben, There Is Another Skywalker, and Use the Force Luke!
Picture Darth Vader on the beaches of San Diego drinking a margarita. It’s hard to imagine, we know, but head to El Chingon and order the Vader-rita to see how he’d take it (in a goblet, of course!). Still feeling evil? Try Palpatine’s Paloma or Kylo’s Kooler.
A Guide to Offsite Comic-Con Events 2019 to Keep the Festivities Going
San Diego summers can be brutal. But since the hottest period is typically late summer into early fall, San Diegans still have time to prepare. The pros at Mauzy Cooling, Heating, Plumbing, and Electrical are standing by to help homeowners fortify their homes against the elements and ensure their air conditioning is as frosty as the penguins that serve as the company’s mascots.
Many homeowners underestimate the load their AC system faces, especially in the inland valleys where temperatures regularly top 100 degrees. San Diego regularly sees multi-day heatwaves each summer, and a system that struggles on the first day will likely fail by the third.Longer run times, unusual sounds or smells, and uneven cooling from room to room are all signs that your system may not survive the next hot spell.
Systems typically last 12 to 17 years, but there are exceptions. If a system is approaching that, or is already there, a professional evaluation is recommended before summer really heats up. A good rule of thumb: If you can’t remember when your system was last serviced, it’s due.
“As technology changes, systems become smarter and smarter,” says Sean O’Connor, an install manager at Mauzy with 42 years of experience. “There are a lot of people out there who will say a system’s only good for 10 years. I don’t buy that—these systems are built to last as long as they’re taken care of.”
There are also a few steps homeowners can take between services to extend the life of their system. Regularly changing a dirty filter—especially if you have kids or pets—and keeping an outdoor unit clean can help head off problems in the future, says O’Connor.
Also, be realistic about whether it’s time to replace a unit. O’Connor likens pouring money into salvaging a faulty unit with patchwork repairs and replacement parts to “tripping over a dollar to pick up a dime.” When one part fails, others are sure to follow, and newer parts may not be compatible with older units. Mauzy recommends homeowners use the 50% rule: If a repair costs more than 50% of the system’s replacement value, and the equipment is over 10 years old, replacement is usually the better long-term value. And don’t forget the ducting. An older house that was built with heat and later had air conditioning added may not have sufficient airflow, regardless of how good the system is.
Last but not least, homeowners should know who to trust when it comes to their homes. Built on three generations of professional integrity, Mauzy has grown into not just a leader for cooling, heating, plumbing, and electrical services, but a leader in the community known for supporting local nonprofits across an array of causes. To ensure complete peace of mind, Mauzy stands behind a comprehensive 12-point guarantee that outlines its commitment to outstanding service, quality equipment, expert technicians who understand how the local microclimates affect HVAC performance, and no upsells or surprises on the bill.
“We go the extra mile. That’s what sets us apart,” O’Connor says. To get a free quote today, visit mauzy.com.
Be in your seat—with a hot dog and beer—when the first pitch crosses home plate.
Photo courtesy of MTS
By Chase Scheinbaum
This season, don’t miss a single pitch thrown at Petco Park. Game days can be a bit hectic, so find the best travel method for you, whether it involves car, trolley, ferry, bicycle, or some combination thereof. Arrive early and you’ll be in your seat—with a hot dog and beer—when the first pitch crosses home plate.
Rideshare services like Lyft and Uber are a good method, but be prepared to walk a few blocks or more—hoofing it may be quicker than sitting in a traffic jam.
By Trolley
Conveniently, all three trolley lines swing by the park, with beefed-up service following night games—you can’t beat that for $2.50. Petco is best accessed by three stations: 12th and Imperial Transit Center, the Park and Market Station (at 12th and Market Streets), and the Gaslamp Quarter Station (at Fifth Avenue and Harbor Drive).
Park-and-ride is a good option—there are 5,000 parking spots at SDCCU Stadium (except of major event days) and Hazard Center.
By Coaster
Avoid I-5 traffic on the Coaster with regional roundtrip day passes ($15 for adults or $7.50 for kids) that grant free trolley connections to Petco. To get back home, Northbound trains leave Santa Fe Depot one hour after the end of the game or fireworks, but no later than midnight.
For Padres fans in Orange County and L.A. (bless your hearts, children) ride the Pacific Surfliner to Santa Fe Depot, just a 25-minute walk or quick trolley ride on the southbound Green Line to the park.
By Bus
An abundance of bus routes pass by Petco, including Routes 12 and 901, which pull up practically on home plate. Routes 4, 12, 901, and 929 arrive at the nearby 12th and Imperial Transit Center. Routes 3 and 5 put riders within easy strolling distance of park entrances.
By Ferry
If you live on Coronado Island, start your mainland leg of the journey at 5th Ave. Landing. But you already knew that.
Bicycling
Cyclists can lock their trusty steeds on public racks on these corners: Park Boulevard and Tony Gywnn Drive; Park Boulevard and 10th Avenue; J Street at 8th and 9th Avenues; near the 7th Avenue Gaslamp Entry Gate.
Look for bike share stations and wayward share-bikes scattered about downtown to pedal to Petco.
By FRED
AKA the Free Ride Everywhere Downtown Shuttle. All that’s required is waving one down during their operating hours. View the schedule here.
Interview with Judd Apatow on Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
We speak with Judd Apatow about his family and what the future holds for Ron Burgundy and the Anchorman team.
By RON DONOHO
Photo of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann
Judd Apatow with wife Leslie Mann at the Berlin premiere of So This is 40, earlier this year.
Producer/director/screenwriter Judd Apatow makes sidesplitting, occasionally raunchy Hollywood movies: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad, Pineapple Express, Bridesmaids,
and more. He’ll receive the Visionary Filmmaker award during the San Diego Film Festival (October 2–6). He chats with San Diego Magazine about coming to Comic-Con, his favorite Anchorman one-liners, and which famous friends might show up with him.
How were you persuaded to appear at the San Diego Film Festival? Jeffrey Lyons asked me to do it. I’m a longtime admirer of his movie reviews. We’ll do a Q&A, and talk about my ridiculous work.
How often do you come down here from L.A.? I’ve been down for Comic-Con a few times. I’ve vacationed with the family at the Hotel del Coronado. And I performed at The Improv in San Diego when I started out as a comedian in the late 1980s.
Do you dress up as a superhero when you come for Comic-Con? I haven’t had to dress up. I feel bad for famous people I know who can’t wander around without wearing a mask. We’ve done movie panels at Comic-Con. I’m in heaven at a place like that. I was into the comic-book culture as a kid and didn’t have anybody to share it with.
Will your wife, Leslie Mann, who played the lovely puking drunk lady in The Forty-Year-Old Virgin, come to the festival with you? That’s a good question. It depends what the family is up to. Sometimes they get very interested in what I’m doing and sometimes they don’t care at all.
What do your daughters, Maude and Iris, who were in So This Is 40, Funny People, and Knocked Up, like about San Diego? There is a famous ghost who lives in the Hotel Del. That seems to be their primary focus.
Will you persuade film industry friends (hint: Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd) to come to our film festival? It’s like every time Scorcese does a speech for De Niro, you know De Niro has to do a speech for Scorcese. You never know who will show up to these things. We’ll see who’s around.
Why was Anchorman set in San Diego? Will Ferrell and Adam McKay wrote that movie. They wanted a friendly city that wasn’t enormous like New York. An interesting, medium-sized market for Ron Burgundy to work in. And, of course, Simon & Simon was shot in San Diego, which is important.
In Anchorman, Will Ferrell’s title character explains that San Diego means “a whale’s vagina.” Who came up with that line? They do improvise quite a bit, but I think that joke was in Will and Adam’s original script.
What’s your favorite line or scene from Anchorman? I like when Will says, “Milk was a bad choice.” I’m also par- tial to: “I’m in a glass case of emotions.”
The sequel comes out in December. Does San Diego just get the one SeaWorld scene? I can’t give away any secrets.
If there’s an Anchorman 3, can you have Ron Burgundy come home to San Diego? We could make these movies when the characters are 50, 60, 70, or 80 years old. Anchor people hold on for a long time. I’d be surprised if this is the last time for Ron Burgundy and his crew.
Are you expecting a ceremonial key to the city from the mayor when you get here? I would not turn that down. I hope somebody’s fighting for that right now.
I hope you get the key, but we’ve had may- oral issues this summer. Maybe Anthony Weiner will be the mayor of San Diego.
First, the upfront: This is a paid partnership with the Padres. Second, that’s not going to stop me from reliving one of my favorite kid memories.
I was 11 years old when the Padres played the Chicago Cubs in the playoffs. The Padres were a large part of my world. My mom, a baseball nut, taught me how to keep score in an official book that year. We had season tickets, which meant we were able to get seats for the playoff games. Padres lost the first two games, came back to San Diego on the ropes.
Mom and I were sitting in the left field bleachers when Kevin McReynolds hit a towering fly ball in our direction. The ball got bigger and bigger and bigger. The Cubs’ left-fielder ran toward us, ran fast until he ran out of room. The ball landed, and the stadium exploded.It landed right… HERE. It landed at US.
Up until that moment, I’d always envied the other, closer seats.
Three days later, I was sitting in the upper deck when Craig Nettles threw the ball to Alan Wiggins and the team rioted into a human pile of happy in the center of the field. The Pads’ first trip to the World Series.
The bleachers are where us fans harvest homers. Send us your dingers, your dongers, goners, taters, oppo tacos, no-doubters, moon shots, your grand salamis, and your Machados. Slam Diego isn’t a fictional place. It’s a seat. And that seat… is right here. It’s a tad louder in the bleachers because, well, joy and happiness aren’t quiet. Welcome to the party at the end of the home run rainbow.
It’s down to the wire, the biting of nails. Machado and Soto and Joe and Yu and Snellzilla and all the players with great hair could use locals at the finish line. Get a seat. Any seat. All have their unique charms. And should you decide to become a member (partial or whole season tickets for 2023), the list of perks is pretty impressive, including:
—priority access to Postseason tickets (and, baseball gods be willing, World Series)
—before each game, it’s happy hour (more than half-off select beer, wine, and cocktails)
—invitation to watch batting practice to catch homers (if you get a ball with gold-stitching, you get a free Pads jersey of your choice)
—10% off all schwag (City Connect calling your name)
