Thinking of driving to Comic-Con? Think again. At least 130,000 other people want to share your space.
Parking is at a premium in downtown San Diego, so here are alternatives.
Take the shuttle
Comic-Con International’s free shuttle service offers 24-hour service stopping at 60 locations in downtown, Mission Valley, and hotels near the airport on Shelter Island and Harbor Island.
The shuttle service runs from 3 p.m. until midnight Wednesday for Comic-Con’s Preview Night.
Beginning at 4:30 a.m. Thursday, the service runs continuously until 7 p.m. Sunday with the frequency changing depending on the time of day from 15 to 30 minutes.
See the shuttle map and schedule.
Take the trolley
San Diego Trolley stops right at the Convention Center, in two different spots: Across from Hall A (Convention Center Station at Harbor Drive and First Avenue), and near Hall D (Gaslamp Station at Harbor Drive and Fifth Avenue).
The Green Line, which has two stations in front of the San Diego Convention Center, will have trains every 7.5 minutes from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday through Friday.
MTS has also printed a limited quantity of commemorative Comic-Con day passes. The five-, four-, three-, and two-day commemorative passes are sold at ticket booths at select trolley stations or The Transit Store at 102 Broadway in downtown San Diego.
The commemorative day passes provide unlimited rides on all Trolley lines and most MTS bus routes as do standard day passes purchased from trolley ticket vending machines.
Riders can download the MTS app and buy ticket via a smart phone. The app available is from the Apple and Google online stores. For more information visit www.sdmts.com/mTicket.asp.
For those driving cars
For those with cars, the trolley stops with the highest number of free parking spaces along the Green Line are :
- Hazard Center Station: 1,500 free parking spots (lower level only)
- Qualcomm Stadium: 5,000 free parking spots
- El Cajon Transit Center: 469 free parking spots
- Old Town Transit Center: 412 free parking spots
- Grantville Trolley Station: 404 free parking spots
Where to park downtown
Parking reservations are limited, but still available for a hefty price.
Parking spots range from $25 on July 11 and 12 at 707 Broadway; $40 at Padres Parkage, 440 11th Ave., on July 9, 11 and 12; $40 at Tailgate Park, 1304 Imperial Ave., on July 10, 11, and 12; and $45 at MTS at 1255 Imperial Avenue on July 11 and 12.
Lots are open 6 am. to 2 a.m. There is an additional $7 service fee.
You can always walk if you live or are staying nearby. Or have a family member or friend drop you off.
— City News Service contributed to this story.
