Midday walk before Comic-Con Preview Night!

Another batch of photos!

It’s Wednesday, the day of Comic-Con 2026 Preview Night, and I continue to walk all over the place!

The first two photos were taken inside the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel. I then worked my way over to San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter where Comic-Con preparations are in earnest…

The Doomsday arch now has simulated flames at either end. Doctor Doom must be on the way!

But can he cope with Sauron?

Hot Wheels will be here…

Nickelodeon…

Splatoon…

The Gaslamp has been invaded by people and products seeking attention!

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Morning walk before Comic-Con Preview Night.

Took a leisurely walk through the Gaslamp and around the San Diego Convention Center this morning. It’s Wednesday. This evening Comic-Con 2026 will kick off with Preview Night.

The main thing I noticed is that many of the offsites are being completed. Workers are scrambling to get everything done!

Here are my photos…

UPDATE!

I was wondering about that huge steel structure being built in the Petco Interactive Zone. When I returned later this morning, I learned it’s miniature golf promoting Magic: The Gathering!

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Willy Wonka takes over Starbucks during Comic-Con!

Willy Wonka has arrived for Comic-Con 2026 and he has taken over the Starbucks at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel! Now it’s Starbucks and the Coffee Factory!

Patrons can enjoy special drinks, including Wonka Bar Iced Caramel Latte, Turning Violet Mango Dragon Refresher, and Golden Ticket Tropical Guava Refresher!

Where are the Oompa-Loompas?

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Photos of cosplay dogs at PAWmicon!

PAWmicon was held today in Balboa Park. The fun event raises funds for the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

Dogs and their human friends converged on the park, many wearing costumes. Yes, there were many superheroes. Villains, too!

I saw Krypto, Wonder Dog, Bat Dog, a scary four-legged alien, Bark Vader, a canine Homelander…

If you’d like to help the Helen Woodward Animal Center, visit their website here.

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far (and related things), click here!

Cover Story panel Wednesday at Comic-Con Museum.

Tomorrow, Wednesday July 22, at 10:30 am, the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park will be hosting a special panel.

Cover Story: Six Decades of Comic-Con will feature a behind the scenes look at Comic-Con’s souvenir book covers. Many of those covers are now on display at the museum.

Gary Sassaman, Comic-Con’s former Director of Programming and Publications, will discuss this fascinating history and answer questions from the audience.

If you’re looking for something to do prior to Comic-Con Preview Night, this might be the perfect activity!

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Buy official Comic-Con merchandise outside convention center!

No badge for Comic-Con? Want to purchase official Comic-Con merchandise outside the San Diego Convention Center? No problem!

A truck full of cool SDCC merch was setting up on the grass in front of the Hilton Bayfront this afternoon as I walked past.

The general public will be able to buy official Comic-Con shirts, hoodies, pins, collectibles, and tons more good stuff!

UPDATE!

Next day, they were set up and ready!

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

More fun photos walking around before Comic-Con!

Another fun blog post full of photos taken while walking around San Diego before the start of Comic-Con 2026. It’s now Tuesday. Tomorrow is Preview Night.

Shop windows, activations rising, exhibitors arriving, a little cosplay–just random images!

Enjoy!

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

LAIKA moves their enchanted forest into San Diego!

Are those trees being forklifted into San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter enchanted?

Yes!

LAIKA is setting up a tiny magical forest at the entrance to the Hard Rock Hotel to promote their upcoming movie Wildwood. It’s another cool activation for Comic-Con 2026!

I thought enchanted trees had the ability to move around by themselves. Not these ones, apparently…

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Exclusive giveaways for Comic-Con from MTS!

Check it out! The San Diego Trolley and MTS have exclusive merchandise and giveaways for Comic-Con 2026!

I happened upon a presentation by MTS in the Gaslamp Quarter today and learned all about it.

MTS will have pop-ups during Comic-Con, at 12th and Imperial on July 23 and the Balboa station on July 24.

While supplies last, you can score an exclusive SDCC pin!

You can purchase pins and cool trolley banks at the 12th and Imperial transit store! Check out the poster for images…

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Portent of coming Doomsday in San Diego’s Gaslamp!

Yes, Doomsday is fated for San Diego. A portent of Doomsday is arising in the Gaslamp Quarter!

The historical Gaslamp Quarter sign is undergoing a sinister transformation. Doctor Doom seems to have recruited workers to prepare for his arrival. Some say the mighty throne of God Emperor Doom will be placed here in the center of Fifth Avenue.

Or perhaps this is a dimensional portal through which he’ll arrive to conquer Earth during Comic-Con 2026!

Avengers Assemble!

UPDATE!

The next morning I saw this…

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!