Outside SDCC 2013: (Mostly) Free Things to Keep You Busy

by Sarabeth Pollock:

It’s that time of year again.  Nerds of all kinds will soon be descending upon the San Diego Convention Center to celebrate all things geek as San Diego Comic Con returns.

In recent years there has been talk of moving SDCC to a larger venue to accommodate the ever-expanding convention.  San Diego is where SDCC was born and that’s where organizers wish to keep it.  The fact is, no matter how large you make the Convention Center, you’ll never be able to contain SDCC.  Ever.  That said, I don’t think there’s a venue in existence that could contain SDCC at this point, short of the infinitely large interior of the TARDIS, and even then it might not be big enough.

So the problem boils down to the amount of space available inside the Convention Center.  A few years ago, gaming enthusiasts were sent to the Marriott Hotel while some panels were moved to the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel.  This certainly helped.  Around that time, the movie studios and entertainment promoters seemed to have an epiphany: SDCC is in San Diego in July.  The weather is gorgeous.  Why not move outside?

Nowadays the whole Gaslamp Quarter is in on the SDCC action.  You don’t need a badge to enter most of the off-site entertainment, and most of the attractions are free (save for things like the Walking Dead Escape housed inside Petco Park).

I have been scouting the Gaslamp over the past few weeks to get a glimpse of the preparations for Comic Con.  My sister has been pouring over the websites to find out what is going on behind closed shop doors and newspapered windows.  Last week, San Diego Padres fans were mostly oblivious to the work going on at 7^th and J Street, where Legendary Studios is painting the exterior of a building to get ready for…Godzilla.  Nothing is as it seems in the Gaslamp when SDCC comes to town.

That said, I have put together a list of things going on in and around the Gaslamp Quarter.  This is by no means comprehensive, but it’s enough to give you a road map should you decide to head to San Diego despite not being able to get into the Convention Center.  If you know of something else going on, fell free to post it in the comments section.

• SyFy Channel: Defiance Café at the Hard Rock Hotel
• The Course of the Force barge featuring Jabba the Hut will dock on 5^th Avenue
• Geek and Sundry will be gaming throughout the week at a local restaurant
• CNET Base Station: Lou & Mickey’s Steakhouse
• Ender’s Game experience: Directly across from the Convention Center
• NBC: Tin Fish restaurant and its surroundings
• History Channel: Vikings Interactive Waterway
• Fandango: Transforming a shop on 5^th Avenue into a 1930s movie theater lobby
• Disney Interactive: Taking over a shop on 4^th Avenue to promote Infinity
• Legendary Studios: 7^th and J Street
• Headless Horsemen throughout the Gaslamp to promote Sleepy Hollow
• Animation Domination High Def-The Experience: Mini golf on Island between 1^st and 2^nd Avenue
• Petco Park (Thanks to Outside Comic Con for this info)
  • The Walking Dead Escape
  • Hello Kitty Music Wonderland
  • Adult Swim
  • DC Comics exhibit
  • The Smurfs
  • Fear.Net

As you can see, there is a lot going on.  Stay tuned…rumor has it that a pirate ship might be docking behind the Convention Center, and Godzilla might rise from the San Diego Bay….

Sarabeth Pollock is a contributor for Dark Media. She covers The Walking Dead, True Blood, Doctor Who, Fringe and American Horror Story, as well as the True Blood comics and whatever movies and books happen to catch her fancy. Watch for her coverage of San Diego Comic Con 2013.  She’s an avid writer, reader, and pop culture fan, with interest in everything from True Blood to Doctor Who to Anne Rice to Deborah Harkness.  Follow her on Twitter at @SarabethPollock and check out her blog at http://sarabethpollock.wordpress.com