Food and drink in the convention center is expensive and nothing out of the ordinary, so don't be afraid to pack a bottle of water and some snacks in your backpack or whatever you use to put your swag in.

quote:

Originally posted by chen12:
In regards to making purchases and getting autographs, does one need to bring wads of cash? When can you use credit cards?

What about food? Do people usually buy at the convention center? Or someplace nearby? Or brownbag it?

Thanks in the advance for the advice.

The Con provides round the clock buses to take attendees to their hotels around the downtown area and those buses can also be used to drop you off there to eat.

The Convention Center is within walking distance of Seaport Village where there many places to eat as well as a supermarket and Horton Plaza, both are about 3-4 blocks north of the convention center. Dicks Last Resort and other eateries to get food for under $10 bucks are very accessible.

Bring water, comfortable shoes, and maybe snacks or a piece of fruit for energy and hydration.

For those staying out farther from the Downtown areas, check to see what Trolley and Coaster stations are near your hotels and take them. If you drive be prepared for unbelievable traffic and expensive parking if you cannot park at the Convention Center.

Traffic and parking can be managed by a little prepration. We usually arrive 1 1/2 to 2 hours in advance of the doors opening. The lines begin inside which is carpeted and cool. One of the experiences I like about SDCC is the people yu meet in line. Don't be afraid to start up a discussion, they're there for the same reason you are and the time goes by much quicker.

I've never had a problem with traffic at that hour. Check the parking maps on the SDCC web page, they offer locations and prices. A lot of private lots charge upwards of $25-30 dollars each day and are small. I found a city lot across from the baseball stadium and Hard Rock Hotel that is only a few blocks away. Rates last year were $10 for all day and room for 1,000. There is another city parking garage on Market (approx 6 blocks) that also charges $10 per day.

Do your homework in advance, it pays off.

It's official, SDCC is SOLD OUT!

Hi Harris

Any news on the Breakfast yet? The show is getting closer and the anticipation is beginning to build.

Last year I used the local train system. I walked 1 block to the train station and it would drop me off right across the street from the convention center. For $5.00 a day you had unlimited rides on all lines so I would go back to the hotel mid-day to eat & rest. Afterwards it was back to the con for the remainder of the day.
For me this was the best. I could load up with purchases & swag, take it back to the hotel and return any time I wanted. I left my car at the hotel the entire week and used public transportation. It will get you anywhere you want to go and no risk of accidents & traffic tickets.

For those picking up passes on Wednesday 7/22/09, there is a Padres game that afternoon starting 12:35 PM.

Also, if anyone has the time, the San Diego Zoo is open at night time from June - September. It's pretty cool at night and was surprised at the number of animals that were still awake.

Promised myself I would stick to a budget this year, so only getting cards I really want. Already ordered my restaurant.com certificates for dinners downtown so that I will have more moolah for cards!

quote:

Originally posted by treksearcher:
Hi Harris

Any news on the Breakfast yet? The show is getting closer and the anticipation is beginning to build.

Hi Treksearcher:

Sadly, it's pretty unlikely we will hold a formal Card Talk breakfast as we have in years past at Comic Con. This is for a few reasons. First of all, I am not even positive that we are going to Comic-Con. Should know soon (I hope!).

Aside from that, it is a really down year for cards at Comic-Con this year. From what we hear, only one card manufacturer (Artbox) will be in attendance at the show this year. We have always had a number of execs from the card companies come to our breakfasts and speak, give away prizes, etc. With only one card company there, we would not be able to get this type of support as we have had in previous years.

Also, it seems to us attendance among Card Talk members may be down this year as well. We've had trouble in years past rounding up enough members to get them to the breakfasts and it would be really worrisome this year. We need a certain number of people to come to make it financially feasible.

I hate to sound so glum but that's how things are this year. I hope it bounces back next year. I REALLY do.

Having said all this, if we do go to the show, perhaps we can still have some sort of unofficial, pay-your-own-way breakfast at the show where 20 or so Card Talk members descend on the local Waffle House for toast and trading. Still hoping something like this will be a possibility.

Harris

Having seen Harris struggle the past couple of years in getting enough people to attend the breakfast, this news isn't a complete shock. It's sad, though, because the non-sport community will be greatly underrepresented this year.

With no Inkworks, Topps, or Rittenhouse there to carry the non-sport banner, it's going to be a very surreal time for non-sport collectors this year.

This is all very sad to hear, it appears this year will go down as one of the worst the hobby has ever known. ( slight exageration possibly )

quote:

Having said all this, if we do go to the show, perhaps we can still have some sort of unofficial, pay-your-own-way breakfast at the show where 20 or so Card Talk members descend on the local Waffle House for toast and trading. Still hoping something like this will be a possibility.

Harris

Sounds like a good time to me!

Harris-

I am saddened to hear the "un-breakfast" news, but I completely understand. I am still pulling for you to come out and enjoy yourself at the Con this year, and if you do, we definately need to have an unofficail gathering (breakfast, cocktails, dinner, etc). Sheri & I hope to see you there.

I certainly hope you and your folks can make it also, Harris. It won't be nearly as much fun without you! On, and Batman likes cocktails, Chris!!

quote:

Originally posted by H_Toser:

Having said all this, if we do go to the show, perhaps we can still have some sort of unofficial, pay-your-own-way breakfast at the show where 20 or so Card Talk members descend on the local Waffle House for toast and trading. Still hoping something like this will be a possibility.

Harris

Let us know if you'll be making it out there and want to set something up! Unfortunately, I don't know if there are any Waffle Houses in the area. I'm not a big waffle fan, but I do love me some Waffle House. One of these days I want to make it out to LA and go to Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles!

-Bob-

If only a smaller group can meet there are a couple of places - Richard Walkers Pancake house on Front and another called Cafe 222 near the Convention Center on Island Street. There is also Laels and Sallys at the Manchester Hyatt - Sally's has all day breakfast on Sat and Sundays. Laels has a buffet breakfast at $22.

A bit further up is Sun Cafe for cheaper eats which also serves breakfast.

I hope you do make it to SD Harris. I already have my basket ready to fill with treats!

NL

quote:

First of all, I am not even positive that we are going to Comic-Con. Should know soon (I hope!).

Harris, hope that you & your folks are able to attend Comic Con this year if you are wanting to. I've gone to San Diego for the past 5 years in a row, & would luv to go again this summer.

Its a standing joke about just how late I show up to the CardTalk breakfast each year. I usually sit near your Mom & Dad who I enjoy very much. Oh... you are good company too!

So I'm disappointed that I will not be at Comic Con this year.
The trip is costly from Texas & far exceeds my available budget at this time. Downtown hotel rates keep going way up. The nice reasonable hotel where I stayed in 2008 in Little Italy was already booked up in January! Then 4-day passes sold out awhile back & thats when I decided to skip this years festivities.

Fortunately I can live vicariously through the excellent show reports on CardTalk and hope to return to Comic Con in 2010. I also will have more time for house repairs this summer since I won't be trading Comic Con SWAG non-stop for weeks on end after the Con ends!

That said... I know a good time will be had by all Con-goers & I look forward to keeping up with it here!!

Thanks everyone! I hope we make it too.

And thank you very much NL for the suggestions. We'll keep that in mind. I've been to Cafe 222 before. From what I remember, that's a pretty small place.

By the way, I didn't actually mean Waffle House. I've never seen one of those out there before, not that I've looked -- the one and only time I was there, it was extremely dirty and I haven't been too excited about going back again too quickly.

I've never seen a clean waffle house in my life...but the food kicks butt.

Am I able to pick up my friends 4 day pass on Wednesday, since he's not arriving until Friday?

I would doubt it, as you have to show your ID to register.