[Originally posted in 2016. Updated for 2024.]
My fourteenth San Diego Comic-Con will be here next week! This year should be the most “normal” con since 2019, due to two years of ramping back up post-pandemic and then the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes last summer.
Every year I share a post offering tips based on my experience for SDCC newbies. For packing suggestions, scroll allllll the way to the bottom. Additionally, I recommend the SDCC Unofficial Blog—an excellent resource.
VERY long post ahead, nerds!
A Health Note
I know most people don’t care about COVID, and mask and vaccine mandates went out the window long ago. However, the SDCC website does still offer health recommendations for attendees.
I’ll be part of what will likely be a small contingent of folks masking inside the convention center. Just do what you feel is appropriate for yourself. Some people are still COVID-cautious for a variety of reasons, so please respect others’ choices.
COVID aside, the con involves loads of bodies crammed into a building, all breathing on one another. So it doesn’t hurt to mask in an attempt to prevent illness, whether it’s COVID or something else. I came down with a cold at the con in 2018 and it sucked. Feeling crappy really put a damper on my experience that year.
Practice Patience
My most basic tip is: be patient. Comic-Con can be trying for those who don’t enjoy waiting (i.e., everyone). There WILL be a shit ton of people everywhere, all the time.
Waiting is an inherent part of the SDCC experience. You’ll wait to buy coffee, use the bathroom, get into panels, participate in booth activities and activations, board SDCC shuttles, get a table at a restaurant, gain entry to parties, and even to cross the street to get to and from the convention center. Depending on which hotel you’re staying at, you may have long waits for the elevator (Marriott Marquis, I’m looking at you). Just chat with other con-goers and enjoy the people watching while you wait.
Stranger Non-Danger
On that note: be open to talking to strangers! Comic-Con is a magical place where it’s easy to meet like-minded people—especially while waiting for hours to get into a panel. The overall “Excited Nerd” vibe is the perfect atmosphere for bonding over shared interests.
Getting Around
The official SDCC shuttles offer free rides to the convention center from hotels that aren’t within walking distance. As mentioned, there is often a line to board shuttles. Depending on your hotel’s location along its color-coded shuttle route, the first couple shuttles that come by may be full. So, allow yourself extra time if you need to arrive at the convention center at a particular time.
Depending on your hotel location and its shuttle’s drop-off spot, you may be better off walking. This was the case at our hotel last year, the Westgate. It was a 15 minute walk to the convention center for me (I walk really fast). Our shuttle dropped off at Petco Park, which was about a 10 minute walk to the convention center (unless you’re going to the Hall H end, in which case it’s closer). Not worth it for me to wait for a shuttle, sit on the shuttle for 15 or so minutes, and only save five minutes of actual walking time.
In 2024, shuttles will not run between 1:00am and 5:00am; check the shuttle schedule here. Uber and Lyft are obvious alternatives, but prices and wait times will likely increase during the con. You must have an SDCC badge in order to ride a shuttle.
Tap in, Tap Out
While at the convention center, it’s important for you to keep your SDCC badge hanging around your neck. Badges contain an RFID tag; you have to tap it on a scanner when entering AND exiting the convention center. If you don’t tap upon exiting, your badge may not scan in properly the next time you try to enter. Badges are also necessary for entering other con-related programs outside the convention center, such as panels or screenings located in other hotels.
Fuel for the Day
Carry water and snacks, especially if you’re expecting to wait on panel or activation lines for hours. Lines often idle for long periods of time, offering ample opportunity to go grab concessions. However, once a line starts moving you won’t want to leave, it so it’s a good idea to have refreshments on you. Plus, it’s cheaper to BYO than to buy concessions inside the convention center. I always bring a refillable water bottle; panel rooms usually have water filling stations inside, and there are water fountains throughout the convention center.
There’s a Ralph’s supermarket in the Gaslamp District on G Street at 1st Avenue, which is a good place to buy provisions when you arrive. There are a couple CVS locations downtown as well: one on 5th Avenue at J Street, the other on Market Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.
Expectations Managed
There’s a ton going on at SDCC at all times, and you might have a long to-do list. However, it’s wise to manage your expectations. Say you’re absolutely dying to see a particular panel, but the room fills up before you get in. Or you have your heart set on buying an exclusive item but it sells out before you get your hands on it. These things happen, and they happen often. So check the schedule and have a backup plan for something else you’d like to do or buy…or just choose to be okay with the randomness of it all. Sometimes simply going with the con flow can lead to fun and surprising experiences.
Keep Calm and Comic-Con
If you’re anxiety-prone, come prepared with breathing and calming techniques as well as prescription anxiety meds if you have them. Meditation apps like Headspace, Calm, and Insight Timer (which has a free version) are good tools to install on your phone.
Need a break from the exhibit hall? Quieter areas do exist inside the convention center. Take the escalators upstairs on the Hall H end of the convention center—there’s usually space to sit on the floor, and security (probably) won’t ask you to leave. Another option is to pop into a random panel and chill out in a back row. Don’t even try sitting on the floor in the main lobby or exhibit hall; security will invoke the Almighty Fire Marshal and tell you to get up.
The two hotels closest to the convention center (Marriott Marquis & Marina and Hilton Bayfront) have lobby lounge areas where you can go to escape, though open seats can be hard to come by. The MMM also has a new-ish conference building that’s separate from the main hotel. I’ve found the lobby of this building to be a nice escape from the nerd throngs, though there are still official con activities and game rooms inside the building.
Panel Mania
Regarding when to get in line for particular panels or rooms, I don’t have much specific advice—I haven’t attended panels in recent years and the line process is ever-evolving. I do want to point out that lines for larger rooms can extend outside the convention center, so you’re going to want sun protection in the form of sunscreen, a hat, and maybe an umbrella too.
Generally speaking for the more popular panels in larger rooms: if it’s something you really want to see in person, line up significantly earlier than you thought you should (like maybe even two hours earlier). And I don’t mean two hours before the start of the panel…joining the line two hours before a popular panel’s start time isn’t even close to being enough time to get you in.
In past years, Twitter* accounts @HallHLine and @Ballroom20Line have offered real-time updates on what those lines are looking like, which can be helpful when deciding whether a line is worth trying or not.
Hall H (more on that below), Ballroom 20, and Room 6BCF have the largest capacities inside the convention center and usually offer the most sought-after panels. Therefore, they’re the hardest to get into, though smaller rooms and Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront can also be tough depending on the popularity of the topic and panelists. Because major panels are returning to the con this year, expect lines of epic proportions.
Hall H Hell
TBH, I don’t fully understand the Hall H line wristband system because I haven’t gone through the experience since they instituted it years ago. However, if you’re going to try for Hall H panels, make sure you understand how the system works. Many people spend a full day waiting on the Hall H line to get a wristband for access to the next day’s panels. So it’s up to you to decide if the panel you want to see is worth missing an entire day of the con.
Steel yourself for a shitshow; I feel like every year we hear about wristband distribution not running smoothly. There have also been reports of people cutting the line with counterfeit wristbands. NOT COOL.
Panel Return Policy
During panels, you can leave the room to use the restroom or buy concessions. When you leave, a door monitor will hand you a small pass that allows you back into that room during that same panel only. If you return after that panel has ended, you’ll have to wait on line again to get back in. So time your trips accordingly! The exception to this rule is Hall H, which has its own restrooms inside and a dedicated concessions stand just outside the hall.
Don’t Be That Person
Don’t hold your phone or camera up to take photos and videos throughout a panel; you’ll block the view of people sitting behind you. If you want to take pics or a video—it’s okay, we all do it—just be quick.
Also, panels don’t allow attendees to take photos of or film any video content shown—there is often exclusive footage that they don’t want being posted online immediately. If you have your phone or camera up during a video presentation, staff will ask you to stop.
Take Comic-Con from the Rear
The back (marina) side of the convention center used to be a mini respite from the indoor insanity. In recent years, the Hall H line has turned the marina into a giant nerd encampment. So…the marina side of the convention center has zero chill (see photo above), but it’s a whole experience in and of itself. There are some great bay views from the second floor terraces on the back side of the convention center, and the lawn behind the center is jam-packed with con-related activities and vendors.
TV Guide used to rent a yacht on the marina where they would interview and do photo shoots with the stars. IMDB took over the yacht starting in 2016, so there’s still great celeb-spotting along the marina. Now that the yacht activities are common knowledge, hanging out on the marina to see celebrities has become a wild scene and there’s a lot of security to manage the stars’ safety as they board and disembark the yacht. That said, I have not heard a peep about the IMDB yacht this year, so it remains to be seen whether it will be there. [EDITED TO UPDATE] Okay, so the yacht will be there after all. Details here.
Cosplay is Not Consent
There is an unspoken etiquette for photographing cosplayers. If someone is wearing a costume they may not mind being photographed. BUT…it’s polite to ask for permission. After the cosplayer agrees and you’ve taken your photo, thank them and compliment them on their costume. Many cosplayers put tons of time, effort, creativity, and money into their costumes. Showing your appreciation to a fellow nerd is a kind thing to do.
Also: you will see many cosplayers showing a lot of skin. I have seen grown men—in front of their children, no less—sneaking pics of scantily clad women without their knowledge or permission. This behavior is inappropriate and gross. Don’t be a creep.
Celebrity Squee!
Random celebrity encounters are a super fun element of SDCC. If you do run into a celebrity, DO be respectful and DON’T get up in their face with your phone without asking. Some celebrities are quite open to posing for pics with fans. But remember that many humans, famous or not, don’t enjoy being yelled at, touched, or having their personal space invaded by strangers.
Additionally, celebrities tend to be on very tight schedules at SDCC. They’re there to promote their work and spend all day doing interviews, panels, photo shoots, and attending parties. Don’t take it personally if someone declines your selfie or autograph request—they may literally not have time. And if a celebrity handler or security person asks you to step back from a celebrity, respect the request.
Offsites & Activations
There’s a TON of stuff going on in the vicinity of the convention center, whether it’s along the marina or across Harbor Drive in the Gaslamp District. The SDCC Unofficial Blog has a calendar dedicated to offsite info. Activations often have lines just as long as panel lines…I’ve heard of some activations, such as Game of Thrones, having eight-hour waits. So, plan accordingly for activations that you have your heart set on.
Nerdy Nightlife
There are plenty of parties during SDCC; some of them require an official SDCC badge for entry, some don’t. I recommend wearing your badge when you head out for the evening in case the night takes you somewhere that requires one. You do not want to schlep back to your hotel room to grab it. Lots of folks wear their badges at parties…no one will think you’re a weirdo if you have one around your neck.
Pack Smart
For those of us not fortunate enough to live locally, below is a list of items I recommend packing—in addition to standard packing lists, of course.
- **YOUR SDCC BADGE!** Now that SDCC mails badges to attendees at least a month prior to the con, it’s easy to forget to pack the most important item.
- Badge Lanyard. A lanyard clips to your badge and hangs around your neck. It’s a con necklace of sorts, and folks enjoy decking them out with various pins. SDCC provides complimentary but bland lanyards (blandyards?) when you pick up your official con bag & guide. If you already have a lanyard that you like you can bring it; many vendors in the exhibit hall also sell cute lanyards.
- Face Masks. If you’re so inclined.
- Hand Sanitizer. Duh.
- COVID-19 Rapid Tests. Again, a lot of people don’t care about testing anymore. But if you’re a responsible person who wants to test yourself if you start having symptoms, it’s easier to have tests in your room than to run to a pharmacy when you’re not feeling great.
- Comfortable, broken-in shoes. SDCC is not the time to break in new shoes. You’ll get tons of steps in.
- Gadget chargers/extra batteries. Available outlets are often in short supply, so an external charger is key.
- Refillable Water Bottle. As discussed above.
- Sunscreen (minimum SPF 30). It’s San Diego. You’re going to spend at least some time in the hot sun.
- Handheld Mini Fan. Good if you’re planning to do a lot of line waiting for Ballroom 20 or Hall H.
- Hat and Umbrella. For extra sun protection in outdoor lines.
- Towel or mini fold-up chair. Recommended for the the Hall H line. Sitting on concrete for hours can be uncomfortable or even painful, so at the very least, pack a towel to fold up and sit on.
- Sunglasses. Easy to forget to pack.
- Meds: OTC and any prescriptions, if needed. Bring extra RX meds in case of return flight delays that cause you to stay an extra night.
- Travel Kleenex. Necessary for when you end up in a bathroom stall that’s out of TP.
- Deodorant. An SDCC given is that some people stink. Don’t be one of them.
- Fold-up tote bag. Perfect for carrying smaller purchases & can easily be stowed away when not in use.
- Light jacket, hoodie, or sweater. July in San Diego is warm, but the convention center can get chilly. The temp drops at night, and if you’re in the Hall H line on the marina at 3am (I’ve been there) you’ll want an extra layer.
- Cash. Many vendors only take cards, but it can’t hurt to have a little cash (especially for tipping hotel housekeeping).
Additional Packing for Collectors
- Poster tube. If you plan to buy posters, you’ll need a tube to transport or ship them home intact. If you forget to pack a tube, there’s a mail supply store in the Marriott Marquis lobby and a FedEx store inside the Manchester Grand Hyatt.
- Sharpie and notebook. Do people still ask for autographs in the age of selfies? If you do, you’ll want to have these items in case you run into a celebrity.
- Extra Baggage. If you expect to buy a lot of stuff, pack a fold-up duffel bag or something similar inside your luggage. Every attendee receives a giant con bag, but it’s not that sturdy and doesn’t close at the top, so it’s not a good carry-on. Definitely not an item that you can check on a plane, either.
Last but not least…SDCC can be very overwhelming, but try to remember take it all in and HAVE FUN! I think that’s about it—I hope this post has been helpful. See you at Comic-Con!
* I refuse to call Twitter by its new Musk-y name.