Guides JULY 17, 2018

4 Fun Things to Do at Comic-Con 2018, No Badge Required

Some of the best ways to fan out, open to the public

4 Fun Things to Do at Comic-Con 2018, No Badge Required
Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr

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.

The Experience at Comic-Con

Where: Petco Park’s Lexus Premier Lot

When: July 19-22

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.

Family Con

Where: Liberty Public Market

When: July 18, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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

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Everything SD JULY 15, 2025

15 Ways to Enjoy Comic-Con 2025 Without a Badge

Free and low-cost options for getting in on the pop culture action outside of the convention center’s walls

15 Ways to Enjoy Comic-Con 2025 Without a Badge
Courtesy of San Diego Convention Center

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. 

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 free and offsite events without a badge featuring the lineup poster for Crunchyroll's Anime FanFest music festival
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

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 at the San Diego Convention Center featuring the Gaslamp Quarter downtown
San Diego Comic-Con 2025 free and offsite events without a badge featuring Doctor Who UNIT Black Archive Pop-Up Experience
Courtesy of Doctor Who

Doctor Who UNIT Black Archive Pop-Up Experience

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

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 free and offsite events without a badge featuring the Malibu Barbie Cafe pop-up activation
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

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 free activation event for Hulu's King of the Hill featuring Hank Hill's backyard

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

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 free and offsite events without a badge featuring Ready Party One party at Parq Nightclub
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

Downtown San Diego restaurant Juniper & Ivy
San Diego Comic-Con 2025 free and offsite events without a badge featuring the 2025 Her Universe Fashion Show 
Courtesy of Her Universe

Her Universe Fashion Show 

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

Interactive Zone at Petco Par, a free event outside of San Diego Comic-Con 2025 that doesn't require a badge
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 

La’butique Pop-Up Shop

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.

Everything SD JULY 9, 2025

Guide to San Diego Comic-Con 2025

Everything you need to know about attending one of San Diego’s biggest events all year

Guide to San Diego Comic-Con 2025
Courtesy of San Diego Convention Center

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.

Highlights include a Thursday panel for The Toxic Avenger featuring Peter Dinklage and Elijah Wood; a panel with comedy legends Matt Stone, Trey Parker, Mike Judge and Andy Samberg; a Tron: Ares panel with Jared Leto, Jeff Bridges and Evan Peters; a panel for the horror film Together starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie; and Star Wars creator George Lucas’ first-ever appearance at Comic-Con.

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.

Event Details | 2025 Panels | Tips & Tricks

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 featuring the interior of the San Diego Convention Center
Courtesy of Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 Details

When is San Diego Comic-Con 2025?

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.

See badge pick-up hours here

Pictures and gallery from San Diego Comic-Con 2024's best cosplays and costumes

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.

Check the 2025 Comic-Con shuttle map and schedule.

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 event featuring people and cosplayers in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter downtown
Courtesy of San Diego Convention Center

Will There be Road Closures During Comic-Con 2025?

To manage pedestrian traffic, Harbor Drive will be closed to vehicles Wednesday, July 24 to Sunday, July 28. 

Harbor Drive Closures (July 23–27)

  • Wednesday: 2–10 p.m.
  • Thursday–Saturday: 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
  • Sunday: 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Downtown San Diego restaurant Juniper & Ivy

Where to Eat at San Diego Comic-Con?

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.

Looking to refuel outside the center? Check out our guide Where to Eat Near Downtown During Comic-Con 2025

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

About Cole Novak

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.

Archive JULY 18, 2019

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

A Guide to Offsite Comic-Con Events 2019 to Keep the Festivities Going
Photo: Shutterstock.com

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.

Reddit Party

When: July 18, 7 p.m.

Where: 835 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp

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.

Bondon by Con feat. Exodus

When: July 18, 7 p.m.

Where: 1055 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp

Price: $30, standing room only

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.

Comic-Con Thursday with Kristian Nairn

When: July 18, 9:30-12:30 p.m.

Where: OMNIA, 454 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp

Price: Free (with admission to OMNIA), 21+

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.

Awesome Mixer Vol. 2

When: July 19th, 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Where: 500 4th Ave., Fluxx Nightclub

Price: Tickets start at $35, 21+

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.

NBC Show Pop-Ups

When: July 18-21

Where: Gaslamp District

Price: Free

Fans of NBC’s biggest shows don’t need Comic-Con tickets to enjoy the event. Replicas of the sets of Brooklyn Nine-NineThe Good Place, and Superstore, will take over the Gaslamp District.

Theatre Box

When: July 18-21

Where: 701 5th Ave

Price: $12-$25

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).

Havana 1920

When: July 18-21

Where: Havana 1920, 548 Fifth Ave.

Price: $12

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.

Mezé Greek Fusion

When: July 18-21

Where: Mezé Greek Fusion, 345 Sixth Ave.

Price: $13

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.

Prohibition

When: July 18-21

Where: 548 Fifth Ave.

Price: $14

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!

El Chingon

When: July 18-21

Where: 560 Fifth Ave.

Price: $12-$25

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

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Studio S JUNE 12, 2026

Nominations Open for the San Diego Business Impact Awards

The annual event honors middle market companies creating jobs, scaling up, and investing in the region

Nominations Open for the San Diego Business Impact Awards
Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

San Diego is known for its startup culture and innovation economy, but what happens when the company moves beyond its early-stage years? The San Diego Business Impact Awards aim to answer that question, spotlighting the middle market businesses helping drive the region’s economy.

Hosted by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards celebration takes place on Thursday, July 23, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Scripps Research Auditorium. More than 200 executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders are expected to attend the networking and cocktail event honoring some of San Diego County’s fastest-growing companies.

Businesses headquartered in San Diego County that have operated for at least two years are encouraged to submit their nomination by Thursday, June 18 at 4 p.m. Companies across industries—from technology and life sciences to tourism and consumer products, as well as pre-revenue startups—are eligible for recognition.

For EDC President and CEO Mark Cafferty, the event is as much about building connections as celebrating success. “We’ve had a longtime partnership with JPMorganChase; their work aligns with our efforts to support underserved communities and drive talent development,” says Cafferty. “And the networking was invaluable last year. I’m still in touch with people I met at last year’s awards.”

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

EDC is an independently-funded nonprofit that works directly with San Diego companies to help them grow the local economy, make the region as a whole more competitive, and attract and retain top-tier talent with quality jobs. Through EDC, companies can get help starting or expanding their business with support for things like site selection, permit navigation, and regulatory guidance, plus connections to local resources and potential business collaborators.

The San Diego Business Impact Awards began as an idea with one of EDC’s longtime strategic partners, JPMorganChase. The two organizations share a commitment to San Diego and are dedicated to bolstering middle market businesses.

“We’re blessed with a robust innovation economy and startup community,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager for JPMorgan’s Commercial and Investment Bank and vice chair of the firm’s’ San Diego Market Leadership Team. “But one of the segments of the business community we felt was overlooked was emerging middle market companies—the businesses that are no longer small but not yet large.”

Ryan says supporting those companies is critical as they scale and decide where to invest, hire, and grow.

San Diego’s high cost of living remains one of the region’s biggest business challenges, making talent recruitment and retention increasingly competitive. But local leaders point to the region’s quality of life, climate, and collaborative business community as advantages that continue to attract employers and workers.

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

“In order to support thriving households, there has to be enough high-quality jobs for people to be able to afford to live here,” Cafferty says. “Once a company grows and excels past that middle market point in their growth cycle, they become much more likely to pay higher wages and compete globally.”

Both Cafferty and Ryan proudly tout the unique collaboration that exists among San Diego County businesses. Bringing together top universities producing high-quality talent, cutting-edge research institutions, a robust military and defense presence, leading ocean science and environmental organizations, and a binational, cross-border identity creates a distinct business ecosystem that defines and strengthens the San Diego region. 

Last year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards celebrated nearly 60 honorees from 49 industries, representing a total of 8,232 jobs across eight sectors, including: software and technology, healthcare and life sciences, consumer goods, professional services, finance, construction and manufacturing, defense, and hospitality and tourism. On average, honoree companies doubled their revenues over the previous year, employed more than 145 San Diegans each, and offered an average annual compensation of $192,415.

Top honorees included defense contractor Innoflight, environmental consulting firm Bancroft Construction Services, life sciences startup Element Biosciences, defense technology contractor GALT Aerospace, organic grocery store chain Jimbo’s, and biopharmaceutical company LENZ Therapeutics. During the event, Innoflight Founder and CEO Jeff Janicik held a fireside chat offering his insights on investing in the community and embracing San Diego culture.

This year, organizers hope to continue highlighting the middle market players driving economic impact across the region. Nominations are now open through June 18 at 4 p.m. Get your tickets to the San Diego Business Impact Awards celebration to enjoy drinks by Snake Oil Cocktail Co., light bites, live music, and networking.

Guides APRIL 26, 2019

How To Get to Petco Park (Sanely, and On Time)

Be in your seat—with a hot dog and beer—when the first pitch crosses home plate.

How To Get to Petco Park (Sanely, and On Time)
Photo courtesy of MTS

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.

(Here’s a wealth of general information about accessing Petco Park, for further inquiry.)

By Car

If traveling by car, God help you. Game day parking is limited, generally costing $21 to $40, unless you’re bringing hiking boots and trekking poles. For this reason, pre-purchasing parking is a good idea. Find specific lot locations and prices here and information on parking for disabled guests here.

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.

How To Get to Petco Park (Sanely, and On Time)

Photo courtesy of MTS

Guides SEPTEMBER 20, 2013

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.

Interview with Judd Apatow on Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Interview with Judd Apatow on Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

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.

Partner Content SEPTEMBER 28, 2022

Ode to the Bleacher Seats

At Petco Park, there are charms beyond the outfield wall that no other seat can muster

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.

The Padres are now playing their final stretch of games. All of them at Petco. I split season tickets this year with a friend specifically for this reason. To have a chance to get those seats again, relive that McReynolds moment, that Garvey time. 

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)

Go Pads.

Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres

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