5 Ways to Save Money at Comic-Con International: San Diego

If you are planning to attend Comic-Con International in San Diego for the first time, here are a few things I have learned along the way to save a little money.  Hey, it means more cash to tip your favorite artist (or donate to his or her favorite charity) who will be drawing that awesome portrait of you in his or her style or pick up that one awesome thing you just can’t live without.

 

 

1. Book a place to stay in advance.

Make sure it has a mini fridge and is close to public transportation. San Diego has great bus routes and limited trolley routes. Public transit will save you on parking fees and frustration unless you have a friend who works downtown and has a reserved parking space or a friend who isn’t going to the con and can drop you off nearby. AirBnB comes in handy for finding a room where you can crash and make use of a kitchen.

 

2. Pick up supplies at the local grocery store/hole-in-the-walls when you arrive.

Here’s a quick list of places I liked to pick up supplies:

• K Sandwiches Vietnamese (7604 Linda Vista Road, San Diego, CA 92111)
• Marukai Market Japanese mini mall (8175 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92111)
• Mitsuwa Marketplace Japanese market and café (4240 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego, CA 92111)
• Daiso Japan Japanese sundries (9420 Mira Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92126)
• Grill House Café Persian (9494 Black Mountain Road, Ste G, San Diego, CA 92126)
• Trader Joe’s Everything (see website for the closest location near you)
• Local Farmers’ Markets Freshness (see website for locations)

3. Bring a plastic or stainless steel water bottle.

There are water fountains at the conventional hall. The key to surviving jet-lag and/or an overly air-conditioned convention hall is hydration!

4. Pack your lunch and some snacks.

You don’t necessarily have to be a gourmand, but there are lots of great places that make delicious, healthful food and/or have pre-packaged food for you to stock that mini fridge (see item 2 above). You can go so far as to pick up/pack your dinners, too, since there is just so much to see and do in and around the convention hall.

5. Bring a very specific amount of cash with you each day.

Once you’ve spent it, that’s it for the day. Don’t withdraw any more cash, or use your credit card. You may get hit with buyer’s remorse when you see that credit card bill or bank statement a month later.