Know before you go

• Badges sell out in minutes; many off-site activations in the Gaslamp are free.

Airport to San Diego Convention Center

San Diego International (SAN) is 10 minutes from downtown, right next to MCRD.

Trolley to Convention Center or Gaslamp stations.

Public transport directions to San Diego Convention Center

Where to stay by budget

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Holiday Inn Express San Diego Airport-Old Town
• Mid-range: Hotel Republic San Diego
• Splurge: Hotel del Coronado

Links search the nights from 21 July to 26 July. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual festival stay schedule for 22 to 25 July 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Family-friendly picks

• SeaWorld San Diego.
• Legoland in Carlsbad.
• Birch Aquarium.

Evening and day-trip tours

After dark

• Gaslamp Quarter.

8 tours worth booking for San Diego Comic-Con

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

• Liberty Public Market Food hall in Point Loma, near MCRD
• Little Italy Mercato Saturday market
• Oscar's Mexican Seafood Fish tacos
• Phil's BBQ Ribs near the airport

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

• Fleet Science Center.
• Natural History Museum.

Getting around on event days

• Trolley lines serve downtown, Old Town and the border; MTS buses and rideshare elsewhere.

Day trips from San Diego

• La Jolla: 25 minutes
• Temecula wine country: 1 hour
• Carlsbad: 40 minutes

Questions people ask

When is San Diego Comic-Con 2027?

The next edition is 22 to 25 July 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to San Diego Convention Center?

San Diego International (SAN) is 10 minutes from downtown, right next to MCRD. Trolley to Convention Center or Gaslamp stations.

Where should I stay for San Diego Comic-Con?

For most visitors the best base is Gaslamp and Little Italy: Walk to the Convention Center.

What can we do between sessions at San Diego Comic-Con?

Good short outings in San Diego include USS Midway Museum, La Jolla kayak and snorkel, Harbor cruise. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near San Diego Comic-Con?

Family-friendly picks: San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum, La Jolla kayak and snorkel. SeaWorld San Diego.

How far is San Diego Convention Center from San Diego centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Trolley to Convention Center or Gaslamp stations.

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