San Diego Comic-Con International
San Diego Comic-Con International
4.5
About
Everyone is a super geek at this mother-of-all Comic Con festivals at the San Diego Convention Center. Launched in 1970 as a straightforward comic book convention, today over 100,000 enthusiastic fans (many in elaborate outfits) come to mingle with their favorite graphic novelist or get an autograph from a TV or movie star. Other events include panel discussions, exclusive film previews and interactive workshops. Bringing together such an eclectic fan base is a mighty entertaining sight to behold with gurus of fantasy, comics, movies, animation, science fiction and more convening under one roof. Squeezing into your favorite superhero costume is highly encouraged!
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
56 reviews
Excellent
38
Very good
13
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Sonja D.
Gold Coast, Australia21 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
If you're one of the lucky few who managed to get tickets to the granddaddy of all Cons then congratulations!! You will have the experience of your life. In the convention center itself you will find booths from Comic Artists/TV & Movie studios/Games/Books/Clothes and sooo much more but be prepared for crowds of like minded fellow geeks/nerds/fanboys/girls all trying to get the elusive Con goodies. If you want to see a panel this is where you could find a problem. Some lines for panels go quick others you could be waiting between 30mins to 4and a half hours. If you're really a fan of a show, like some people are, camp out overnight.
If you want to see a popular TV show panel/movie studio in Hall H GOOD LUCK! They don't clear the auditorium out after each panel (they don't clear a room after any panel fullstop).People have been and are known to wait all day (4am til 7or9pm) for when wrist bands are given out so you can get some of the best seats for the next days panels...You don't need a wristband to get in but it helps to get good seats (Hall H hold 6-7000 people), if you get in there's toilets and food outlet/carts inside so you don't have to leave.
You don't need a ticket to SDCC to enjoy all comic con has to offer. Outside there are plenty of things to see and do. TV Networks have interactive stalls promoting their latest shows coming or current shows you can go through. There's people walking around handing out free swag, lots of people dressed in cosplay free entry to places like Nerd HQ or The Nerdist where you can see panels of tv shows or movies coming out. Nerd HQ does charge a fee to see panels BUT it's only $22, ALL goes to Operation Smile to help 3rd world charities (google Operation Smile) and its in a small and intimate setting and they also do photo ops with stars like Nathan Fillion/Alan Tudyk/Stephen Amell/Joss Whedon etc. Zac Levi is the organiser/promoter/host of Nerd Hq.
If you want to star spot, i recommend hanging around the Gaslamp District on Fri/Sat nights. Thats when the major TV networks/studios have parties. And stars have been seen out and about in local clubs and on the streets. Believe me when you bump into Joss whedon or Jared Padelecki at 3am walking back to your hotel you'll thank me.
Overall its a full on, action packed, exhausting 4days of fun.
If you want to see a popular TV show panel/movie studio in Hall H GOOD LUCK! They don't clear the auditorium out after each panel (they don't clear a room after any panel fullstop).People have been and are known to wait all day (4am til 7or9pm) for when wrist bands are given out so you can get some of the best seats for the next days panels...You don't need a wristband to get in but it helps to get good seats (Hall H hold 6-7000 people), if you get in there's toilets and food outlet/carts inside so you don't have to leave.
You don't need a ticket to SDCC to enjoy all comic con has to offer. Outside there are plenty of things to see and do. TV Networks have interactive stalls promoting their latest shows coming or current shows you can go through. There's people walking around handing out free swag, lots of people dressed in cosplay free entry to places like Nerd HQ or The Nerdist where you can see panels of tv shows or movies coming out. Nerd HQ does charge a fee to see panels BUT it's only $22, ALL goes to Operation Smile to help 3rd world charities (google Operation Smile) and its in a small and intimate setting and they also do photo ops with stars like Nathan Fillion/Alan Tudyk/Stephen Amell/Joss Whedon etc. Zac Levi is the organiser/promoter/host of Nerd Hq.
If you want to star spot, i recommend hanging around the Gaslamp District on Fri/Sat nights. Thats when the major TV networks/studios have parties. And stars have been seen out and about in local clubs and on the streets. Believe me when you bump into Joss whedon or Jared Padelecki at 3am walking back to your hotel you'll thank me.
Overall its a full on, action packed, exhausting 4days of fun.
Written September 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darlene L
San Diego, CA61 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
I just wanted to say that even if you can't get a ticket to all the events inside the convention center, there are tons of things going on all over downtown at this time. You still get to see interview panels, get free stuff and see lots of props and costumes. Just about everything is free on the outside, too. So if you plan on visiting town at this time, be prepared for a lot of fun events.
The only thing is that it gets very crowded on Saturday, especially. The trolleys will be packed when you want to leave, so take a deep breath and just go with the flow.
The only thing is that it gets very crowded on Saturday, especially. The trolleys will be packed when you want to leave, so take a deep breath and just go with the flow.
Written August 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graham S
Fleetwood, UK89 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
this is the ultimate nerd event - if you like comics, movies, tv shows, or celebrity spotting, there is nowhere better on the planet
its 4 days of full on entertainment and wow moments - im already planning for next year
we (my son and i) travelled from the UK especially for this, which wasnt cheap:
flights - it happens during summer holidays, so expect to pay more
hotels - all sold out, and block booked months ahead of time, so its a challenge to get a hotel in the town within walking distance of the convention
tickets - very, very difficult to get - first year i tried to get some, we failed dismally. this year we joined a UK Comic Con group, and we managed to get tickets for the whole event
dont let these things put you off - its so worth the expense and effort of getting there
see you in 2017 SDCC!
its 4 days of full on entertainment and wow moments - im already planning for next year
we (my son and i) travelled from the UK especially for this, which wasnt cheap:
flights - it happens during summer holidays, so expect to pay more
hotels - all sold out, and block booked months ahead of time, so its a challenge to get a hotel in the town within walking distance of the convention
tickets - very, very difficult to get - first year i tried to get some, we failed dismally. this year we joined a UK Comic Con group, and we managed to get tickets for the whole event
dont let these things put you off - its so worth the expense and effort of getting there
see you in 2017 SDCC!
Written August 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TraveledViking
San Diego, CA870 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
This WAS a great convention to check out before it became too much of a high end popularity contest. Lines are long, food is expensive, and there is just way too many people trying to see/do the same thing!
Written January 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond M
Fairport, NY28 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
I never give bad reviews, but since this was the worst event of my life, thought it warranted the rating.
Our family was 'lucky' to be part of the very small percentage of people that received tickets to this event. We had Preview day plus all four event days. We got a lot of great advice from a lot of people, so we knew there were long lines and were prepared for that ... or so we thought until we got there.
Wednesday night or Preview night was fine actually, lines were long but manageable and we saw a bunch of sneak peeks at new shows and walked the floor.
On Thursday AM, the start of the event, it took us 3 hours just to get into the event, which is really just entering the convention center. We also realized that if you wanted to get into the infamous Hall H (the hall where all the big events take place with the big stars) that you should have started waiting for that 2 days earlier.
That kind of kills the event right there. 2 days of your time?
And then we realized that even secondary, yet decent events in the smaller ballrooms were also long lines. Like on Saturday, we waited in line for 5 hours for Ballroom 20 and NEVER got in. And oh yeah, there were about a thousand people behind us in line that didn't get in either.
There are lines for autographs, lines for the chance to draw a possible ticket for an autograph and also lines just to buy stuff ... lines for exclusives, lines for tickets to the Funko store on the exhibit floor or the Lego Store, etc.
To top it off, the staff are only there to direct you into the abyss of line waiting, with no clue that the chances of you actually getting into something are slim to none, though it's really not their fault. I would blame the incompetence of the organizers and leaders of the organization ... shame on them.
In summary ... if you go (which I don't recommend), go for the gaming, the exhibit hall (tons of stuff to look at and purchase if you desire) and people watching (lots of great characters and costumes) and maybe some of the smaller panels that no one cares about.
But if you are going to see all the 'big stars' then I would be prepared to invest days of that precious commodity called your time.
For us, in my opinion, I found it to be disappointing and just sad ... sad because with the right people leading the event, it could be much more organized and enjoyable for all.
Our family was 'lucky' to be part of the very small percentage of people that received tickets to this event. We had Preview day plus all four event days. We got a lot of great advice from a lot of people, so we knew there were long lines and were prepared for that ... or so we thought until we got there.
Wednesday night or Preview night was fine actually, lines were long but manageable and we saw a bunch of sneak peeks at new shows and walked the floor.
On Thursday AM, the start of the event, it took us 3 hours just to get into the event, which is really just entering the convention center. We also realized that if you wanted to get into the infamous Hall H (the hall where all the big events take place with the big stars) that you should have started waiting for that 2 days earlier.
That kind of kills the event right there. 2 days of your time?
And then we realized that even secondary, yet decent events in the smaller ballrooms were also long lines. Like on Saturday, we waited in line for 5 hours for Ballroom 20 and NEVER got in. And oh yeah, there were about a thousand people behind us in line that didn't get in either.
There are lines for autographs, lines for the chance to draw a possible ticket for an autograph and also lines just to buy stuff ... lines for exclusives, lines for tickets to the Funko store on the exhibit floor or the Lego Store, etc.
To top it off, the staff are only there to direct you into the abyss of line waiting, with no clue that the chances of you actually getting into something are slim to none, though it's really not their fault. I would blame the incompetence of the organizers and leaders of the organization ... shame on them.
In summary ... if you go (which I don't recommend), go for the gaming, the exhibit hall (tons of stuff to look at and purchase if you desire) and people watching (lots of great characters and costumes) and maybe some of the smaller panels that no one cares about.
But if you are going to see all the 'big stars' then I would be prepared to invest days of that precious commodity called your time.
For us, in my opinion, I found it to be disappointing and just sad ... sad because with the right people leading the event, it could be much more organized and enjoyable for all.
Written July 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pixelocrates
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK75 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
First time attendee from uk, was so excited to get tickets and be going and did not disappoint. Was understandably busy but not over crowded, I would say it’s not well sign posted for first time attendees, we walked round some pointless bits first before working out where all the main stuff was. Tried to queue for hall h for marvel but after an hour was told it was pointless. And it doesn’t stop there, there was loads of events going on around San Diego at the bars and pubs and even on the street. So definitely do your research so you know where else to head after the convention. I wouldn’t say it’s for all ages, I didn’t quite get the families trying to squeeze buggies down aisles of people but hey.
Written July 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Selvyn C
Hawthorne, CA141 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
First time being here and had so much fun. Be prepared to spend money cause they have everything from costumes, props, comic book everything under one roof. The food inside is ok better off getting food from the food trucks 10 times better. Great people to meet so much fun taking pictures with people wearing costumes and very friendly too. The parking here sucks better off parking at the angel stadium plus is cheaper too only $10 and the shuttle ride is not very long. You also comes in and out as you please and online you can get the schedule in what's going on every hour. I'm definitely coming back.
Written April 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Goldenpenny89
Reggio Emilia, Italy212 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
This year was my first time at comic con. I admit I love this stuff! Love videogames, board games, sci-fi movies, fantasy stuff, TV shows and so on.
Be aware that for each collectible you wanna buy for each panel you wanna in for each TV show cast you wanna meet you have to wait in loooooong lines. Sometimes you heve to wait in line to get a wristband that gives you the chance to wait in another line the next day.
The atmosphere is fantastic though. The crowd is happy and colorful. A lot of people with incredible costumes...nothing is too weird here.
Before buy tickets (on February ) and decide to go, make yourself a question: 'am I nerd enough for that?'. If the answer is Yes then you're gonna have one of the most exciting experiences of your life.
Be aware that for each collectible you wanna buy for each panel you wanna in for each TV show cast you wanna meet you have to wait in loooooong lines. Sometimes you heve to wait in line to get a wristband that gives you the chance to wait in another line the next day.
The atmosphere is fantastic though. The crowd is happy and colorful. A lot of people with incredible costumes...nothing is too weird here.
Before buy tickets (on February ) and decide to go, make yourself a question: 'am I nerd enough for that?'. If the answer is Yes then you're gonna have one of the most exciting experiences of your life.
Written August 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KSprengelmeyer
San Diego, CA26 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
You must come to San Diego for Comic Con. Even if you don’t have tickets. The fun madness is all over downtown along with the Stars. See a free super Hero movie in a park or sip special concoctions and hero-watch. Do it!
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edwin R
San Francisco, CA2,994 contributions
Jul 2016 • Business
I was told that San Diego Comic-Con International is THE COMIC CON! I've been to the one in New York, but nothing quite as expansive as this one. There are several venues outside the convention center such as The Petco Arena and the Hard Rock Cafe including Warner Bros. Entertainment Tonight ET was also filming at the Hard Rock.
I was also told to buy tickets way in advanced because it usually sells out within less than an hour after it opens for sale.
Things to consider though when you plan to attend outside venues:
-bring shade such as an umbrella
-bring portable chairs
-bring water
--Prepare to stand in line for several hours
If you come on the last day, know ahead of time that all the freebies are usually gone. So you may think twice lining up and waiting for give away that may not be there.
Best tip: Have a great time. Most of the attendees are super friendly and are always willing to give good advice what to see and where the after parties are.
Keep in mind, make sure you also book your lodging way in advanced. The Hard Rock Cafe Hotel and the Marriott is very close to the venue located at the Gas Lamp District.
Places to eat: There are tons but expect to wait long lines at the restaurants. We found a great breakfast place called "Broken Yoke Cafe" that serves American breakfast. Prices are also very reasonable. During the event, I suggest you head towards Petco Park and look for the food trucks. They have less lines compared to restaurants.
If there is one suggestion for this event, they need to designate an UBER/LYFT drop-off and pick-up for the attendees. All in all, it's worth seeing especially all the awesome costumes.
Until then, be kind to one another and Cheers! ~ :p
I was also told to buy tickets way in advanced because it usually sells out within less than an hour after it opens for sale.
Things to consider though when you plan to attend outside venues:
-bring shade such as an umbrella
-bring portable chairs
-bring water
--Prepare to stand in line for several hours
If you come on the last day, know ahead of time that all the freebies are usually gone. So you may think twice lining up and waiting for give away that may not be there.
Best tip: Have a great time. Most of the attendees are super friendly and are always willing to give good advice what to see and where the after parties are.
Keep in mind, make sure you also book your lodging way in advanced. The Hard Rock Cafe Hotel and the Marriott is very close to the venue located at the Gas Lamp District.
Places to eat: There are tons but expect to wait long lines at the restaurants. We found a great breakfast place called "Broken Yoke Cafe" that serves American breakfast. Prices are also very reasonable. During the event, I suggest you head towards Petco Park and look for the food trucks. They have less lines compared to restaurants.
If there is one suggestion for this event, they need to designate an UBER/LYFT drop-off and pick-up for the attendees. All in all, it's worth seeing especially all the awesome costumes.
Until then, be kind to one another and Cheers! ~ :p
Written July 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ALEJANDRA
La Plata, Argentina
como estas, te hago una consulta, asoy de argentina y quiero el año que viene asistir ala comicon, mi problema es que desde mi pais nadie piensa ir y sola me da un poco de insertidumbre. no sabes de grupos que se armen para ir alla? mas q nada por el idioma
Written September 16, 2019
Can someone tell me what the parking situation is for comic con? This is the first year we’re going and I want to plan whether we drive or uber to the convention. We’ll have a rental car anyways and we’ll be staying about 20 minutes away and won’t have a shuttle option. Thanks in advance.
Written April 7, 2019
I know this is late, but it might help for you, next time. ACE Parking does a lottery a few months before the actual show. If you are chosen during the lottery, you get first choice to reserve parking in any of their locations. They also sell them on their website after the lottery, but you'd be choosing from what hasn't been chosen. Still smart to look, because there is still decently priced parking after the lottery, and then you're not scrambling to find something during the show.
Written December 23, 2019
Voy desde Colombia, y llevo a mi hijo y a mi sobrino de 12 años y 10 años, entre en la pagina y no se consiguen tickets, donde puedo conseguir? Gracias de verdad
Written February 22, 2019
Hola Jaqueline, mi hija cumplirá 15 años en julio 2019 y quiere ir a Comicón San Diego, déjame beneficiarme con tu experiencia:
- Donde debo adquirir los tickets?
- Son caros?
- con cuanta anticipación debo comprarlos?
- vale la pena también para papás?
Gracias!!! saludos desdse La Paz BCS México
Written June 11, 2018
paulinehall2410
Wallasey, United Kingdom
Hi me and my son are travelling to San diego in July to attend the Comic Con we are staying roughly at a hotel roughly 25 minutes away form the centre. Can anyone please advised the best way to travel around I can drive but a bit unsure as I have never driven in the US before.
Written May 31, 2017
Good Morning. I intend to go on SDCC in 2017. I can not some information on the Internet. Would you help me? I do not get it right, but there are two types of tickets? One gives more rights than the other? You know if there is easy public transport to stay further away from centrod and conventions? Nearby is very expensive. Thank you very much. Andre
Written September 28, 2016
Bom dia. Pretendo ir na SDCC em 2017. Não consigo algumas informações pela internet. Poderia me ajudar? Não entendi direito, mas existem dois tipos de ingressos? Um dá mais direitos que o outro? Sabe se existe transporte público fácil para ficar hospedado mais afastado do centrod e convenções? Nas redondezas é muito caro. Muito obrigado. Andre
Written September 28, 2016
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