This summer, Comic-Con International returns to San Diego for its 45th year. This homegrown San Diego event takes place July 24-27, 2014 at the San Diego Convention Center in downtown and is the largest comics and pop culture event in the nation, attracting tens of thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books, movie memorabilia and all things related to pop culture.

Comic-Con International's annual reappearance in San Diego allows locals and visitors to embrace their inner fanboys and fangirls. From trolley stop signage written in Klingon to classical musicians performing video game scores, San Diego buzzes with an out-of-this-galaxy celebration.

Visitors can experience Comic-Con related activities and events outside of the Convention Center floor and throughout the city. The following offerings are certain to unleash your inner Super Man or Wonder Woman powers this summer in San Diego.

Special Events Occurring During Comic-Con

• Comic and pop culture-themed activities surround the San Diego Convention Center. Pop-up shops, interactive movie and television displays, food trucks and more fill downtown's historic Gaslamp Quarter, located directly across from the Center, to offer passers-by the chance to play a new video game, collect merch or enjoy a free snack. Some of the most popular activities include the annual Zombie Walks, Adult Swim Funhouse and Nerd HQ.
• Geek culture meets brewing at Stone Brewing Co.'s Hop-Con 2.0 - The w00tstout Launch Festival. Held on July 23 at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station, this event marks the second annual release of w00tstout, an imperial stout brewed in collaboration with actor Wil Wheaton, comedian Aisha Tyler and Drew Curtis of Fark.com. Tickets to the festival are $59 per person and include 10 four-ounce beer samples, food and a commemorative glass.
• With two stops located outside of the San Diego Convention Center and expanded service during the week of the convention, the light-rail San Diego trolley is the best way to access Comic-Con International. The rail line gets in the Comic-Con spirit with stop signage translated into Klingon and Dothraki for the run of the event.
• The San Diego Symphony Summer Pops series shift from pop music to video gaming and film culture during Comic-Con. On July 24, the Symphony presents "Video Games Live," a sensory extravaganza that combines memorable video game music with synchronized lighting and even some real on-stage game-playing. On July 25, the orchestra performs composer Danny Elfman's famous film scores including Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Batman and more, enhanced by visuals on the big screen of Tim Burton's original film sketches, drawings and story boards. The series concludes on July 26 with a presentation of the 2009 Star Trek film, featuring the San Diego Symphony performing the soundtrack.
• Throughout the entire month of July, The New Children's Museum in downtown San Diego is hosting superhero-themed art-making activities and interactive experiences for children to enjoy. On July 12 from 5-8 p.m., the museum hosts their second annual Superheroes' Night Out family party, where superheroes of all ages can take a break from saving the world and experience a night of superhero-themed activities along with a delicious dinner, dancing and costume contests for the entire family.
• On July 24 at 12:30 p.m., visitors to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla can celebrate Comic-Con and the ocean during a special Kelp Tank Dive Show with Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry-television producer, ocean advocate, passionate diver and son of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry. Guests should arrive early to secure a spot and interact with Rod while he dives into the aquarium's two-story, 70,000-gallon kelp forest tank. Cost to view the Kelp Tank Dive Show is included with aquarium admission. The dive will also stream live on the Birch Aquarium's Kelp Cam.
• During the month of July, visitors can indulge with comic and sci-fi-themed cookies at The Cravory in San Diego's Point Loma neighborhood. Known for its outrageous cookie flavors, the bakeshop will be offering limited edition flavors including the "Hulkinator," a green birthday cake-flavored cookie with green sprinkles baked an in extra-large size; "Kryptonite," a chocolate cookie baked with chocolate chips and stuffed with Rolos candy, and a "Chewbacca Treat" featuring milk chocolate chunks, thick caramel ribbons and marshmallows. These special flavors will also be available for order online.

San Diego's Year-Round Pop Culture Mania

• LEGOLAND California Resort in Carlsbad recently expanded their popular LEGO STAR WARS Miniland attraction. Guests can enjoy seven of the most famous scenes from the six live-action Star Wars movies, as well as a scene from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ all made out of 1.5 million LEGO® bricks and built in 1:20 scale. Guests can also pose with life-size LEGO models of Chewbacca, R2-D2 and Darth Vader.
• Film buffs can head to the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park throughout the year to check out the museum's tribute to actor Steve McQueen. The museum also showcases a 1970 Husqvarna 400 Cross motorcycle formerly owned by the famous actor.
• Located in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego's uptown, the locally owned Babette Schwartz novelty shop is a fun and fabulous gift emporium featuring a wide array of super hero and pop culture paraphernalia ranging from Justice League magnets to zombie apocalypse t-shirts.
• Founded by the daughter of the famed animator, the Chuck Jones Gallery in downtown's Gaslamp Quarter features the art of Looney Tunes animation director Chuck Jones. In addition to showcasing Jones' work, the gallery is devoted to the art of the animated film and offers ongoing displays of art from all major animation studios as well as original paintings and limited edition fine art from a variety of entertainment-related artists and photographers.
• Masked and caped crusaders will fit right in at the Lucha Libre Taco Shop in the uptown Mission Hills neighborhood. Decorated in the same colorful style and adorned with luchador masks, this local hotspot offers southern California Mexican specialties like California burritos and TJ hot dogs. Guests should call ahead to reserve the "Champ's Booth," a table nestled into an outlandish gold vinyl booth complete with its own special menu. Booth diners are provided with masks, capes and a winner's belt to wear during their meal.
• Located in the Normal Heights neighborhood, Villainous Lair is a one-stop shop for comics and gaming. From Magic the Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh tournaments to release parties for the latest Walking Dead issue, if it's comic or gaming-related, it can be found here.

Other Unique and Notable San Diego "Cons"

• Coinciding with Comic-Con International, Gam3rCon returns to San Diego July 24-27 to the Tenth Avenue Arts Center in downtown's East Village. Since most official Comic-Con activities happen during the day, Gam3rCon provided an affordable, family friendly after-hours destination for geeks, gamers and industry professionals. A retro-style arcade, competitive video game arena, community tabletop lounge, industry panels, curated art exhibit, theatre, live music, and rooftop parties offer something for everyone to enjoy.
• For craft beer fans with an eye towards education, Beer-Con on Aug. 23-24 is a two-day conference held annually in San Diego that features some of the top names in the brewing industry speaking on a variety of topics. In addition to lectures on beer marketing, the science of brewing and the art of the beer cocktail, past Beer-Cons have included guided brewery tours, a pairing lunch and more.
• Follow the yellow brick road to Coronado for Oz Con International, held August 1-10. Festivities include a screening of the digitally enhanced 75th anniversary version of the original Wizard of Oz movie at the Village Theatre; Wizard of Oz Walking Tours to the Hotel del Coronado - Baum's inspiration for the Emerald City - and the nearby house where Baum wrote three of his famous Oz books; a Wizard of Oz musical cabaret at the Coronado Playhouse; exhibitions of Oz memorabilia and collectibles at the Coronado Public Library, and fun children's activities including a Wizard of Oz Musical Theater Day Camp, Oz storytelling, costume contests and more.
• From Aug. 14-17, the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mission Valley hosts Tiki Oasis, the largest and longest running convention in the country for tiki lovers. In addition to a tiki art show, Tiki Oasis features burlesque performers, live music, a vintage car show, "Miss Tiki Oasis" pageant, cigar and rum pairing lounge and more.

Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San Diego's offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org.

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