Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, July 23- Wednesday, July 29, 2026: COMIC-CON 2026! | Monophonics | What's Golden | Guantanamo Baywatch | Rainbow Kitten Surprise | Howard Jones | dashboard confessional | The Stray Cats | santigold

This week took extra long to do the listings because of course, Comic-Con is here. While I'm not putting activations and off-site pop-ups in this list, I will have a separate post once I get myself together to do it. 

What I did wanna say this week was that I did merch for DakhaBrakha on Sunday and it's always so rad to get to work for a band that is just lovely in every way. Their merch was organized, they treated me great, their show was AMAZING, and the proceeds from their merch goes to help organizations that work to bring aid directly to Ukraine. It was a beautiful night. After work, I drove up to La Jolla Cove and watched the baby sea lions for awhile before calling it a night. I'm already an insomniac, and now that I'm in a particular age of womanhood and San Diego decided to turn hot and humid on me, I'm enjoying the hours after the sun sets until it rises again even more than ever. Which also means that after a marathon Monday and Tuesday night working on listings, on Wednesday I went downtown and walked 6000 steps after midnight to see what activations I could find, either built or in the process of being built. Not gonna lie, I can already predict the spots that are gonna have crazy lines, but even a Prize Pig like me, who LOVES free shit, cannot imagine waiting in this week's heat for any of it. I'm not knocking anyone who lives for the Con and is truly excited by this week, but I'm not regretting my retirement from the press pass pool...hopefully some young person with influencer stars in their eyes gets to break in and provide coverage. More on that in another post. For now, here are the regular listings, with Con specific events indicated by SDCC. If you wanna see my full list of Comic-Con related events, go to my COMIC-CON PAGE HERE. As for me...I'll be keeping my vampire hours or sitting in the shade at the zoo or hiding in by the a/c vents in Wild Arctic at SeaWorld...as I do. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Comic-Con International 2026 Is Here!

Okay. So I've updated my Comic-Con 2026 PAGE  with all the activations and events I could muster the energy to gather. But more fun than that, I went downtown on Wednesday night around 11pm and drove/walked the majority of the footprint. I was done by 1:30am and even more crews were rolling out, so I'm certain many worked through the night after the bars closed. I got about 6000 steps on my little path, but that was with no sun, no people, no traffic, and no time constraints. Photos and such below. After the jump. 

Comic-Con Activations: Adult Swim Pirate Purrrty On The Green | Twisted Metal Bumper Cars | King of The Hill Experience | Petco Park Interactive Zone | Restart Gaming Lounge | Crunchyroll Anime Fanfest | Alien: Earth Immersive Activation and more!!

I tried to be a little more thoughtful as I received this year's Comic-Con emails because there were a lot. But then as I was trying to put stuff into my listings, it just made sense to do a separate post for activations. And then I ended up working on Wednesday night, completely missing preview night at the convention center and the chance to preview a bunch of the activations, too, but since I've been doing some late night non-bar excursions a lot lately, I decided to walk around the whole Comic-Con area to explore. I parked on 4th near the Horton Grand Hotel, walked to the Harbor Club and up MLK Promenade, then hooked a right on 1st to see the Twisted Metal activation. I worked my way back to Harbor Drive and crossed at 1st to get to the Bay Access path between the Marriott and the Convention Center. Then I cruised all the way down to the Shell, along the bay to the Hilton Bayfront, then up to the third floor of the garage to cross the pedestrian bridge to Petco Park. I walked the rest of the MLK Promenade then did a big loop around 5th and 6th Avenues until I made it back to my car. There's a lot to see, but there will also be a lot of lines to wait in. I would say don't bother with The Lodge unless you have a reservation because FUCK Paramount and all that. Twisted Metal will be bonkers, too, so make sure you're willing to sign a waiver for yourself or your kids before you get in line. There is a really cool pop-up for Abbott Elementary at 5th Avenue Landing, next to Joe's Crab Shack where there is a full carnival sized Ferris Wheel, Adult Swim always brings a fun activation, and Hulu's King of The Hill seems to have followed their lead. I hope you find some fun, no matter where your walking takes you. These activations will be duplicated on my Comic-Con tab. Scroll to the bottom to see a selection of my phone photos from my journey. 

Things To Do in San Diego: Wednesday, July 19-Wednesday, July 26, 2023: Comic-Con Edition : Heartless Bastards | Jimmy Eat World + Manchester Orchestra | Cordovas | Califone | COMIC-CON EVERYTHING!! |

OH MY GOD!! I did it. I usually compile my Comic-Con stuff in the weeks preceding the event, but since I skipped the past couple years, and with the SAG-AFTRA/Writers Strikes, everything has been a little up in the air. But I did it. I'm sure I didn't get everything, but I did my best. And I linked to other local guides, per usual. I hope everyone has a magical week, CCI or not, I still got all the regular local shows and stuff together, too. I love you all. Be safe out there! 

COVID-19 Masks Are REQUIRED Statewide | California Surpasses NY In Total Cases | Burger Records Folds | Disney Closes "Eating and Drinking" Loophole

Sea Lion at Boomer Beach/La Jolla Cove (Taken 7.20.2020)

I was feeling productive today. I finished reading The Down Days. I (mostly) stayed on top of my email, an almost always impossible task. I handled some Casbah stuff in announcing the Twitch Livestream with Scary Pierre happening on Saturday night at 8:30. I happened to look on Facebook at the right time and this awesome woman listed a picnic table and chairs on my local Buy Nothing group, so she kindly chose me and we went to her house, loaded it up in the van and brought it home and unpacked it. (It often helps to say you're available for immediate pickup.) I watched the full Governor's and San Diego County media briefings. And then I took a peaceful, quiet, restful long nap. Feeling dreamy. 

After watching everything, one thing I will say though is that I don't know how I missed that facial coverings are now MANDATORY in the State. I knew it was a "guideline" and "recommended" and required indoors in certain settings, but I watch every Governor Newsom briefing and somehow I missed entirely that it became required. Anyway, I'm putting the link below because if I missed it, maybe you did, too. Or it's just irrelevant because it was already required in the County. Either way, lots of sharing after the jump. 

CoViD-19 News | Comic-Con@Home | Evidence Mounts On Aerosolized COVID-19 Transmission | Mask Or Stay Home

Sea Lion Pups wrestle at Boomer Beach La Jolla (7.20.2020)

I guess my laptop is on the fritz again but Davey Tiltwheel is an amazing human and has ordered me a new charging port and hopefully that will solve my issues. If I disappear for a couple days, it will mean my laptop finally refuses to charge entirely until I get the new part. Anyway, tomorrow Comic-Con@Home kicks off and is free for everyone. I didn't reapply to press credentials for the online part because I spend most of my days watching media briefings and reading news. Though it's part of my world to help promote livestreams and online things to do, I'm not really into it. I don't really mind being in my bubble if I'm being totally honest. I stay up late, watch plenty of movies and shows, read a ton, track email, get out every couple days for shopping or Nova's soccer or a Zoo or Safari Park trip here and there and I'm good. Nova's soccer team wants to go to the beach as a group after her practice on Friday and just the request alone has me all tied in knots with anxiety that maybe she shouldn't even be on the team if they can't follow such simple rules as no gatherings. Am I to believe they're really following the right protocols for practice (which we're not allowed to watch)?? So frustrating. Wake me when it's all over. More after the jump. 

Photos: More Comic-Con Fun

Gonna keep it super short because I'm still at home and have so much still to explore, but my day 2 of Comic-Con started really late. Like, really, really late, because you know, some of us still have work to do and stuff. Darren and I aimed at stopping at Salud before Con, but it was, as expected, packed, so instead we went to Border X Brewing and stumbled upon an event for Latina Geeks while we ate tacos. We kept it brief and he dropped me at the Hilton where I went to the FX Fearless Forum preview night. It was a small crowd, so we took advantage of the hosted bar and the walk-through experience which meant we skipped a whole slew of other things. But it was fine, Pyles went on his way after and I just cruised the activations which were mostly closed before deciding to still try to get in to the Rave of Thrones, despite being 2 hours late for the meetup time.

The security at Omnia were super cool to me and despite their 'no bag' rule, ushered me in a back entrance where I was behind the DJ booth as Kristian "Hodor" Nairn was music selector. That was fun and exciting but I only lasted about an hour before I made my way to the Ken Club for their anniversary/ska night.

Tonight, I'll wander until I have to work at Balboa Theatre then who knows where the night might take me? Tons of photos after the jump.

Final Notes Before Comic-Con 2019

I'll continue to add events and information to this site as I get it, but this was a final blast directly from the source, Comic-Con International. It was a note for media, so I cut out some of that stuff, but here's some relevant info for everyone. I left the preferred social media hashtags because those because those become really useful for searching social media. 

Programming

Information regarding the SDCC programming schedule can be found here https://www.comic-con.org/cci/programming-schedule and a list of our Special Guests along with their bios can be found here https://www.comic-con.org/cci/2019/special-guests

Exhibit Hall

Information regarding our Exhibitors, including booth numbers and a location map can be found here https://www.comic-con.org/cci/2019/exhibitors

Getting Here

Once again, we offer a shuttle service to the San Diego Convention Center from 63 different locations! To view a map that shows the routes and stops please visit https://www.comic-con.org/cci/shuttles

Harbor Drive Closures

Happening again this year, the San Diego Convention Center, the City of San Diego, and the Port of San Diego have created a pedestrian-only experience during Comic-Con 2019.

HARBOR DRIVE WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC (including bikes, scooters and skateboards) between First Avenue and Park Boulevard during Comic-Con, with the exception of shuttle buses and emergency vehicles. Cars will be screened.

Harbor Drive Closure Hours:

Wednesday, July 17 - 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Thursday, July 18 - 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday, July 19 - 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, July 20 - 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday, July 21 - 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
*Harbor Drive will reopen to traffic outside of the hours listed above.

Official Comic-Con App

Sponsored by NBC, the App is an important tool to help you stay updated. Plus you can manage your own personalized schedules and favorite exhibitors! https://comic-con.org/apps


Social Media

Please remember us kindly with the following “official” hashtags and indicators:
#SDCC50
#SDCC2019
#SDCC
@Comic_Con

Things To Do In San Diego: Tuesday, July 16-Monday, July 22, 2019- Comic-Con Edition

Comic-Con 2018

As I mentioned last week, I went ahead and did these listings last week so that I'd have everything listed and ready to go for Comic-Con, but as you can see, it's hard to keep our regular club events separated from Comic-Con stuff, so they're all blended here, but I have a ton more information on the Comic-Con page, which includes all of the activations and multi-day additional events. You can get to that page on full screen or on mobiles with the little pull-down triangle under the header. I had a really good week but I'll save it for another post so I can get these bad boys listed and put out into the world. I will say that my Con feels a little empty without the Wired party, so if you've got any events I should work into my schedule, just say the word. I'll be going to Dylan Leblanc for sure on Wednesday, and I'm working at Balboa Theatre on Friday and Saturday night, but the rest of my days and evenings are wide open.
Full listings through Monday are after the jump.

How I Do Comic-Con: Tips, Tricks, Advice, and Photos

Darren and I were running around downtown on Monday and it occurred to me that I wrote my 'Surviving Comic-Con' post in 2010.
San Diego is very different. I am very different. Comic-Con is very different. SO I decided it was time to update.
I'll be running around with Pyles per usual, but apparently the Wired Party won't be quite our home base as it has been in the past so it will almost be like doing it for the first time for me all over again, but hopefully that just means I'll do more and see more than in the past couple years.

Hall H Line Tents Before the Con

The night before:

• Charge cameras, backup batteries
• Water bottle in the freezer
• Get 777 Noodle House food so there are cold leftovers to eat throughout the week
• Set Out of Office message on email
• Pack my essentials bag 

Here's some stuff I always take with me:

• A refillable water bottle
• Hand Sanitizer
• Advil
• Pepto
• Baby Wipes
• Camera
• Phone charger/External chargers
• Small portions of snacks (nuts, string cheese, granola/energy bars)
• Cash, particularly singles for tipping
• Lady products
• Tablet

I used to also take my laptop, charger, a power strip, a hoodie, and a whole bunch of extra stuff, but it's just way too much. The weather here has been hot by day and cool by night, but I haven't worn a hoodie in nearly two months. If there's anything I need, there's a Ross on 4th & C, and home is a 12 minute Uber home.

Some little bits of advice:

• You will be walking everywhere and should plan your clothing and footwear accordingly
• There is a TON of construction all over downtown, especially on Tony Gwynn Parkway by the library and Petco Parking. Additionally, they've locked several of the access gates at that Petco Parking lot, so be sure you know you can get out on the other side if you pass through the lots
• Harbor Drive is going to be closed to traffic. According to Comic-Con email, this includes ride-share services like Uber and Lyft, bikes and bike-shares like Lime, OFO, and Mobike, and scooters and scooter shares like Lime and Bird
• Only badged attendees of Comic-Con 2018 will have access to the front drive, stairs, and surrounding sidewalks of the San Diego Convention Center
• If you find yourself behind the Convention Center or need to get to the Embarcadero, there is a hidden walkway between The Marriott and the far end of the Convention Center where their executive offices are. Despite being required to include Coastal Access when the Convention Center was built, they will not let you pass through or over their access. 
• If you choose to ride a share-scooter, the law says you must ride in the street, wear a helmet, and be 18+. 
• If you call a ride-share, it would behoove you to walk a few blocks out of the Con chaos. You might be able to avoid surge pricing and you won't be a dick customer for your driver. 

Apps you should download:

• Comic-Con Official App
• Compass Cloud (allows you to buy an all-day MTS pass for $5 per day which works for the trolley and busses)
• The Free Ride (FRED is a little golf-cart that gives free rides around downtonw)
• Bike and Scooter Share: Lime, Mobike, Bird, OFO

The Free Ride

San Diego Trolley

Here's my updated map of downtown highlights:



More pictures after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Oh, man. Getting to finally see Natalie Merchant for the first time in my life was pretty magical. Despite having a sinus infection, she sounded amazing, showed herself to be funny and warm to her audience, and played a two and a half hour show. I was crying by the second song, in case you were wondering. So Comic-Con is here and I'm trying to make every minute count before Pyles comes and picks me up and we begin Con ambush. I'm looking forward to seeing all of the outside activations, walking the floor a bit, the return of three days at the Omni for the Wired Party, and this year is really special because this person I know from a million lifetimes ago, Michael Cerveris, is in the cast of The Tick, which should have a pretty huge presence at Con, so hopefully I get to bump into him for at least a minute to say hi. Wednesday archives are after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: Monday, July 17-Tuesday, July 19, 2017

I have to say, I have spent a dozen hours putting this weeks listings together so I hope everyone finds them useful. It was a pretty great weekend with the Thorn Rock The Pale release at Casbah on Friday and a chill show at the Observatory with Joshua Radin, Rachael Yamagata, and Brandon Jenner. Sunday we grilled out, caught GoT on the East Coast feed, and while Darren worked, I hit the Bar Pink 10 Year Anniversary. This week is going to be BONKERS so I'm bracing myself. Monday and Tuesday archives are after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: July 22, 2009

Wednesday July 22, 2009 (Del Mar Race Track Opening Day; Comic-Con International Preview Night):

• Comic-Con Tweetup @ Voyeur (7-10p)
• Ryan Bingham, Doug Moreland @ Casbah
• Nite Vision feat. The Villains, DJs Gabe Vega, Adam Salter, Erick Diaz, Lord Nelson, GroundFloor, plus @ Voyeur (10p-close)
• Zodiac Death Valley, Doves and Desperados @ Soda Bar
• The Squirrel Nut Zippers, The Smart Brothers @ Belly Up
• The Burning of Rome, Fearless in Fairweather @ Winston's
• 91X "Next Big Thing" feat Chester French @ 710 Beach Club (91 cents)
• TikiBarTV presents "Evil Empire Job Fair" hosted by Johnny Johnny & Suicide Girls @ Airport Lounge
• Nerve Meter, Elba (WA), Listen On Mute, DJ Heather Hardcore @ Radio Room
• Comic-Con Preview Night Party feat live art by Raggatron, Michael Briones, Sean Dietrich and Brent Tilton@ El Dorado
• Laura Jane's One Woman Show, Art by Jimmy Russell & Sperm, Jewelery by Sacred Otter @ 10th Avenue Theatre
• 944 Opening Day After Party Hosted by Audrina Patridge @ L'Auberge Del Mar
• Hapa, Ledward Kaapana, John Cruz @ Humphreys Concerts By The Bay
• Afghan Raiders, DJs Saul Q, Andrew Decade @ Beauty Bar
• Fourth Wednesdays feat. Linnzi Zaorsk @ Bar Pink
• Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine, Linnzi Zaorski @ House of Blues
• Musicpalooza Singer Winners Showcase: Geanie Jenkins, Allegra Barley, Tiffany Jane @ Anthology
• Cultura!, Solrak from B-Side Players @ Stage Saloon
• Live Wednesday's Presents: "SOUL NIGHT" w/ Tori Roze, Brodeeva, Nick Z & Elaine Faye @ U-31
• The Perry Edwards, Dead Feather Moon, Dakotafish @ Ruby Room
• Wednesday Night Shakedown @ Henry's Pub
• Skinnie Magazine & Never Say Die presents: BOTB, Chasing Claymores, Pushin Rope @ Brick By Brick
• 3RD Identity@ O'Connell's
• Wailing Souls, Cualli, Hi Roots, DJs Irie Eyes, Selecta Fari, Chunky Roots @ Canes
• Metro @ Humphrey's Backsatge Live
• Paul Cannon, Moontucky Risin @ The Bitter End
• Joey Ryan, Amber Rubarth, Dawn Mitschele @ Lestat's
• Drum and Bass @ Club Kadan
• Jeff Moore & The Witch Doctors @ Kraken
• 145th St Deluxe Blues Band @ Patrick's II
• Fuzz Huzzi@ Second Wind Navajo
• Tres Sapos @ Calypso Cafe
• Youth Envy, Damcyan & Special Guests @ Dream Street Live
• Delilah Jones, Hemp String Orchestra @ Gallagher's Pub
• White Buffalo @ Tiki House
• Poolside Happy Hour w/ Christoper Dale and Friends @ Handlery Hotel
• Private Domain @ Dick's Last Resort
• Pick Up Girl, Rachel Grant, IZA Moon Dance Collective @ Portugalia
• Master, Pathology, Dreaming Dead @ The Jumping Turtle
• Burnett's Bliss, MR.JB @ Cafe LaMaze
• Volume 10, Archie Dean, Sweat Lounge, Way Out Entertainment, C-Tip, Tenece @ Kava Lounge
• Faded Chroniclez @ Cabo Grill & Cantina