The comic and pop culture world converges on San Diego this weekend for Comic-Con 2015 and there are ways to celebrate city-wide even without an official badge (i.e. ticket) to the event being held July 9^th – 12^th. It’s hard to believe that the Comic-Con we know today – with 4 full days plus a preview night and over 130,000 people in attendance at the official event – started out in 1970 as a one-day “minicon” with 100 people. My how things have changed in the past 45 years!

Comic-Con has grown so much that it has expanded to satellite locations around downtown and there are many ways to join in the fun and spirit. Here are some ways you can show your pop culture spirit throughout San Diego.

• Petco Park Interactive Zone – Located just outside Petco Park on Park Blvd. this area is an Interactive Zone featuring interactive displays that would otherwise be too large to fit in the Convention Center.
• The Donut Bar – Located in downtown San Diego at 631 B Street, The Donut Bar features gourmet donuts and is known for its unique donuts. For Comic-Con, they are featuring a special menu of comic and pop culture inspired donuts. This donut shop opens at 7:00 a.m. Mon. – Fri. and at 8:00 a.m. on Sat. – Sun. and they close when they sell out so arrive early!

Photo Credit: Instagram @donutbar

• Gelato Paradiso – If you’re down near Seaport Village and The Headquarters then you’ll want to stop by Gelato Paradiso for some special Comic-Con gelato flavors. The Headquarters at Seaport Village is located at 789 W. Harbor Drive.

• The Cravory – This cookie shop is located in Point Loma at 3960 W. Point Loma Blvd., Suite G and is definitely worth the trip from downtown. These cookies are melt-in-your-mouth delicious and during Comic-Con The Cravory will be debuting some new cookies just for the occasion.

Photo Credit: Instagram @thecravory

• Hop-Con 3.0 at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station – This event features collaboration craft beers while celebrating everyone’s inner geek. Tickets are available through the Stone website. The Stone Brewing World Bistro is located at Liberty Station, 2816 Historic Decatur Rd #116 – near the airport and Harbor Island 

I’ll be checking out some of the Comic-Con related events around town this year. We tried to get tickets but it didn’t work out. Are you attending Comic-Con? What part of this event are you looking forward to most?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”