[Originally posted in 2016. Updated for 2025.]
My fifteenth (!!!) consecutive San Diego Comic-Con is next week! Each year, I update this post with tips for SDCC newbies, based on my experience as an introvert who never cosplays and generally dislikes being around crowds but still manages to enjoy myself. If you can relate (and even if you can’t), I hope you find this post helpful!
Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend the SDCC Unofficial Blog—a VERY comprehensive resource that should be your go-to for questions about SDCC.
To skip past this long post to my packing suggestions, click here.
A Health Note
I know that most folks stopped caring about COVID long ago. Regarding masking, do what you feel is appropriate for you. SDCC involves tons of bodies packed into a building, so IMO, it doesn’t hurt to mask in an attempt to prevent illness—whether it’s COVID or something else. I ended up with a cold at SDCC 2018; feeling crappy really put a damper on my experience that year.
Practice Patience
My most basic tip is: be patient. Comic-Con can be quite trying for those who don’t enjoy waiting (so…all of us).
Waiting is an inherent part of the SDCC experience; have to wait in order to do just about anything. Depending on which hotel you’re staying at, you may even have long waits for the elevator (Marriott Marquis, I’m looking at you). Just chat with other con-goers and enjoy 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 or offsite. SDCC’s “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 con hotels that aren’t within close walking distance. 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. You must have an SDCC badge in order to ride a shuttle.
For those staying at close-ish downtown hotels (like .75 mi to 1 mile from the convention center), walking may be faster if that’s an option for you. But if you’re physically better off getting a ride or are lugging a lot of stuff back to your hotel, of course the shuttle is worth it.
In 2025, shuttles begin running at 5:00am and run until 1:00am Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday, shuttles start at 5:00am and run until 7:00pm. Check the shuttle schedule for frequency, as well as ETAs to and from each hotel.
The San Diego trolley service can be a good way to get around if you’re local or staying at a non-downtown hotel. (I’ve never used it so I can’t speak from experience here). The official MTS website offers details on trolley service during SDCC. There’s a handy PDF as well.
Uber and Lyft are obvious alternatives, but prices and wait times typically increase during the con.
Tap in, Tap Out
While at the convention center, it’s important for you to wear your SDCC badge on a lanyard around your neck. You can pick up a free lanyard at Bags, Books, and Lanyards (BBL) in the Sails Pavilion when you first arrive at the convention center.
Badges contain an RFID tag; you must 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. And you’ll want to stay hydrated in the San Diego heat.
Obviously, it’s cheaper to BYO beverages and snacks. I carry a refillable water bottle; panel rooms usually have water filling stations, 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 an insane amount of activity at SDCC, 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 to have 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, though open seats can be hard to come by. The MMM also has a conference building separate from the main hotel. I’ve found the lobby of this building to be a nice escape from the nerd throngs, though it’s still bustling because there are official con activities and game rooms in the building.
Panel Mania
The panel schedule can be found here; when you swing by BBL in Sails Pavilion, you’ll also receive a collectible con book that includes the full schedule as well as a thinner quick guide. I usually carry the quick guide in my backpack and reference it on the go. There’s an official app, but I don’t it to be very user friendly so I usually just flip through the guide.
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. Note that lines for larger rooms can extend outside the convention center, so you’re going to want sun protection (hat, SPF, etc).
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…historically, 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.
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. SDCC’s Toucan Blog will likely post about the system; the Unofficial SDCC Blog has a Hall H guide based on past years.
If you’re going to try for Hall H panels, make sure you understand how the system works. Many people spend a full day (and potentially some overnight time) waiting along the marina in the Hall H line to get a wristband for the next day’s panels. So it’s up to you to decide if the panel you want to see is worth missing an chunk 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 try to return after that panel has ended, you’ll have to wait on line again to get back in. So try to time your breaks accordingly! The exception to this rule is Hall H, which has its own restrooms inside and a dedicated concessions stand just outside the hall. I saw on Reddit that Ballroom 20 also now has restrooms roped off for its panel attendees, but I can’t personally confirm this info.
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.
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 livestreamed or posted. 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, activations and the Hall H line have turned the marina into a full-on carnival atmosphere. Directly behind the convention center, there are some great bay views from the second floor terraces. You do need a badge to ascend the stairs behind the convention center and enter from the rear.
TV Guide used to rent a yacht on the marina where they would interview and do photo shoots with talent. IMDB took over the yacht starting in 2016, so has still been good celeb-spotting along the marina. Now that the yacht activities are common knowledge, hanging out on the marina to see celebrities is a wild scene and there’s a lot of security to manage the stars’ safety as they board and disembark the yacht. I’m seeing rumblings on Reddit that IMDB will not be doing the yacht this year. If this is true and there’s no yacht takeover, it would be the first non-COVID year that I can remember without one.
Offsites & Activations
As you can see, there’s a TON of stuff going on all around the convention center. The SDCC Unofficial Blog has a calendar dedicated to offsite info. Activations often have lines just as long as panels…I’ve heard of some past 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 bringing your badge when you head out for the evening because the night may take you somewhere that requires one. Lots of folks wear their badges at parties…no one will think you’re a weirdo if you have one on.
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.
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, rude, and gross.
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 enjoy taking selfies 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. Don’t take it personally if someone declines your selfie or autograph request—they may literally not have time for it. And if a celebrity handler or security person asks you to step back from a celebrity, respect the request.
Packing Suggestions
Below is a list of items I recommend packing—in addition to standard packing lists, of course.
- **YOUR SDCC BADGE!** The most important item.
- Badge Lanyard. As mentioned, SDCC provides complimentary lanyards at BBL pickup in the Sails Pavilion. If you already have a lanyard that you like, bring it; many vendors in the exhibit hall also sell cute lanyards.
- Your Favorite Backpack. You’re going to carry a lot of shit around with you all day.
- Face Masks. If you’re so inclined.
- Hand Sanitizer. Duh.
- Comfortable, broken-in shoes. SDCC is not the time to break in new shoes.
- Gadget chargers/extra batteries. Available outlets can be 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.
- Hat and/or Umbrella. For extra sun protection in outdoor lines.
- Sunglasses. I’m still harping on the sun.
- Handheld Mini Fan. Helpful for line waiting, especially lines that end up outdoors like Ballroom 20 and Hall H.
- Mini fold-up chair/stool. Practically required for the Hall H line, but can be handy for other lines as well. Last year I saw lots of people using telescoping stools like this that are collapsible for easy carrying.
- Meds: OTC and any prescriptions, if needed. Bring extra RX meds in case of flight cancellations that delay your return home. (One year, our flight got canceled so we stayed an extra night).
- Travel Kleenex. Necessary 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.
- Jacket, hoodie, or sweater. July in San Diego is warm, but the convention center AC is pumping. And it can get chilly outdoors at night.
- Cash. Many vendors only take cards, but a little cash is good, 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. 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. It’s not a great carry-on, and since the top doesn’t close securely, you can’t check it on a plane.
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 name.
