Wikipedia talk:Meetup/LA/SDCC1

San Diego Comic Con
I am wondering if anyone would be interested in a meet up just before, or just after San Diego Comic Con? I was thinking doing it in the hours before, or after preview night.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 00:49, 20 March 2013 (UTC)
 * My calendar ends and begins with SDCC. I'd love to meet fellow Wikipedians there. Doczilla  @SUPERHEROLOGIST 07:35, 7 April 2013 (UTC)
 * You and I make two, I volunteer with SDCC, and thus doing it during operating hours would be difficult, but after preview night is over, IMHO is the best. Sunday after con closes is always good, but most people I know who come in from out of town are flying out as soon as they can pack up.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 23:11, 7 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I'm on panels at SDCC every summer. I'm there from Wednesday until Monday, although I'm usually exhausted on Sunday night. Still, there are many evening events where people can cross paths. I always enjoy iFanboy's rooftop party. Doczilla  @SUPERHEROLOGIST 06:42, 8 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Hopefully, as SDCC, more will join in this discussion, and we will have more than just us two looking to meet up.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 03:24, 9 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I realize Comic Con is a serious venue, but the subject matter is not one that will interest very many Wikipedians. GeorgeLouis (talk) 22:46, 17 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Perhaps we shall see many people from WP:COMICS, WP:MOVIES, and WP:TELEVISION, and hopefully people from WP:SAN and WP:CA.
 * Not only that perhaps, we can contact SDCC and see (a long shot) if we can have a panel of Comics, Movies, and Television on Wikipedia (with members of those wikiprojects) siting on it. We can perhaps add to the literature that is out there regarding editing those areas and COI issues. If not this year, perhaps in some future year?--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 17:31, 18 April 2013 (UTC)

Thanx very much for inviting me. Alas, I'm not a comic fan and rarely attend conventions unless I'm helping run them, such as LosCon and Gallifrey One. Maybe if you have something in the LArea, I might be able to attend. If nothing else, I'm at LASFS every Thursday evening.JDZeff (talk) 18:34, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I am actually looking at having the meetup occur outside of the convention center as a location TBD, this way those who are not attending the convention proper will be able to attend the meetup (which would cost nothing) (whereas ComicCon tickets themselves are harder to get than tickets to the Superbowl and cost several hundred dollars).--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 20:30, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the invitation, RightCowLeftCoast. I'm on the trolley and bus from Clairemont and won't be attending Comic Con. Any night you decide on is fine with me. -SusanLesch (talk) 02:04, 19 April 2013 (UTC)

I would be interested in meeting up with Wikipedians from the San Diego area and using the Amtrak service to make the trip down there from the OC, with the hope of having Wikipedians from the San Diego area attend our Los Angeles Great American Wiknic's in the future. Thanks for the invite. Tinkermen (talk) 20:49, 19 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I would enjoy going to the Wiknics, but I couldn't last year do to work obligations :( . ComicCon is usually the only time work gives me time off from my normal schedule as they know I work/volunteer with SDCC; they know I edit Wikipedia, and could care less (which is a good thing in a way, they don't ask me to edit subjects which they have interest in and cause me to have a COI).--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 16:03, 20 April 2013 (UTC)

Thanks for the invite! I was abroad so haven't been able to to reply. I won't be around for Comic Con since I'm not really a fan, but the meetup sounds like a good idea and I hope it goes well. Keep me in mind for other local-esque wiki events. Cheers, Olegkagan (talk) 21:34, 21 April 2013 (UTC)

Location
Perhaps while we are still discussing this we should discuss where the meet up will occur. Several places come to mind. There is Lolita's which is inexpensive and serves the San Diego signature dishes Fish taco, California burrito, and Carne asada fries; the only issue is that although there is a bar and seating, it won't really do for more than a dozen people. There is Slater's 50/50 in Liberty Station, which has a wide range of local craft beers, which San Diego has become known for, and it can aaccommodate more people with outdoor seating; however, is a bit of a cab ride (being on the other side of San Diego International Airport from the convention center) and is a little pricier. There is also Tin Fish directly across from the convention center, it has a large outdoor seating area and a regular bar; for the money it is a little pricey IMHO, and being directly across from the convention center it is going to be very busy.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 23:37, 10 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I haven't chimed in here yet; I have nothing to do with ComicCon, but I live in San Diego and might take part in a Wikipedia meetup. A possible place might be the Karl Strauss brewpub on Columbia Street. It's a bit of a walk from the convention center - about a mile - but maybe that's far enough that it wouldn't be mobbed. It's pricier than a place like Lolita's, but I can get a substantial discount for any charges that I put on my own credit card, and I could do that for a small group and have people reimburse me. --MelanieN (talk) 00:33, 11 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Karl Strauss doesn't make bad beers, but what is their guest tap list like? Slater's 50/50 has over 100 taps with a very wide variety, and their food cost is comparable, but is a little further.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 22:59, 12 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I think their taps are mostly their own beers. I wasn't necessarily arguing for Karl Strauss, just pointing out that it is in walking distance. --MelanieN (talk) 02:09, 13 April 2013 (UTC)
 * There are also Extraordinary Desserts in Little Italy, Hodad's (not as good as the original Ocean Beach location IMHO), Sushi Deli (always long lines), and Donovan's (on the high end) in walking distance as well, among many other choices.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 16:33, 14 April 2013 (UTC)
 * San Diego CC has gotten too out of control for me over the past 5 or 6 years. it's not really a Comic COnvention any more.  Also, most of the Silver Age crowd I would have traveled there to see and interview are either dead or too ill to attend.  I would be interested in meeting anyone who comes up to LA before or after the Con so do consider leaveing me a note on my talk page as soon as you know your plans.  If you haven't been up here in years, you really MUST come up to see the refurbished Griffith Park Observatory!  If you want to be taken to some hidden movie spots or up to Bronson caves for a picnic, I'm up for that! LiPollis (talk) 20:22, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I'm a big fan of Downtown Johnny Brown's. Large outdoor eating area, decent sized indoor eating area. The menu is basic but very solid.  They always have about 10 local/regional craft beers on tap, as well as a full bar.  It's just a few blocks north of Broadway in the Civic Center Plaza, such that parking is easier than south of Broadway (especially after weekday working hours).  Karl Strauss finally started making really good beers a few years ago and food is quite good; only downside is a very small outdoor area.  I've been to Slater's 50/50 once; food was good, beer selection was great, but beer prices were pretty high compared to the many other places to get good craft beer in San Diego. I can't remember if it had outdoor seating; we went on a cool morning so it wasn't an option.  OhNo itsJamie  Talk 21:49, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Downtown Johnny Brown's isn't a bad choice. It is next to Golden Hall, a trolley station on C Street, 0.9 mile walk from the convention center, and the price is reasonable. Also, I use to work in the Civic Center building, and when I went there for lunch I would recommend their chili.
 * Slater's 50/50 has an outdoor eating area about the size of DJB, and yes their beers not in happy hour (1500-1900 & 2200-close) are usually $5-$8 a pint, whereas say at O'Briens (not really a choice due to distance from the convention center) it's $3-$5 a pint.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 17:18, 19 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Obrien's is my "local" hangout; was just there yesterday while my tire was getting fixed.  Glad that Slater's has an outdoor area; that's probably our best choice. OhNo itsJamie  Talk 18:02, 19 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I use to go there all the time when I worked in Kearny Mesa, it's a IPA bar, but they have a great bottle list, and Tyson is an awesome guy. Have you earned one of those fabled mugs? I was last there for the Million Zillion Speedways SDBW event; suffice it to say I don't get out there as often as I'd like anymore.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 20:01, 19 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Crap. I missed this discussion. I just looked up Slater's on the map. That's on the opposite side of the airport. Can't this be somewhere close to the convention center? Some interesting press events happen late Wednesday afternoon. Doczilla  @SUPERHEROLOGIST 06:29, 3 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Let me give two ups, and two downs for changing to Downtown Johnny Browns:
 * Ups:
 * Very close to public transit
 * Closer to the San Diego Convention Center
 * Downs:
 * Smaller craft beer and menu selection
 * More difficult parking situation for those driving to the meetup (paid parking on street, or in paid nearby parking garages and lots)
 * I am more then happy to make the change if it would bring more people to the meet up, but I would like to hear from the other two editors who said they would like to attend; but I do prefer the beer and food selection, and free parking, at 50/50s better, but understand the want to move it downtown. As per WP:CANVASS I will notify those editors, and appropriate Wikiprojects.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 06:27, 4 June 2013 (UTC)

A few thoughts about location. 1) ComicCon is a HUGE event, so all venues within walking distance of the convention center are likely to be mobbed that night. Also, parking is going to be impossible to find. These are arguments against downtown or Gaslamp locations. 2) If we are going to get away from the convention center, it should be someplace easily accessible by public transportation, for the convenience of those who are attending ComicCon. This is an argument against Slater's which is not on any public transportation route. We might want to look for someplace along the trolley line; that could include places in Old Town. 3) I am unclear how you all visualize this meetup; it sounds as if you are talking about trying to get together in the middle of a crowded bar. I submit that would not be ideal for conversation and getting acquainted. Maybe we should look for a place where we could reserve a separate room; there are many restaurants that will let you do this (but they do expect that everyone will be ordering dinner). Such restaurant include Bully's East, Guadalajara (in Old Town so near the trolley line), Fiddler's Green and Bali Hai. The latter two are pricier than the first two and are not close to public transportation, but are more likely to be available. Guadalajara and Bully's East are reasonable but have only one room, which could already be reserved. --MelanieN (talk) 19:47, 4 June 2013 (UTC)
 * I've only been to Slater's once on a Sunday for lunch, so I know nothing about weekday crowds. Downtown Johnny Brown's has a fairly large indoor and outdoor area, and usually isn't crowded on weekdays post-lunch hour. Parking before 6pm can certainly be a pain, though I usually get lucky with something on Ash St, A St, or in between.  While it's reasonably close to Comicon, it's always just far away enough (1 mile from convention center) that it probably won't get hit with as many CC folks as closer places. Old Town isn't a bad idea given that it's on the trolley line; the only place there I go to with any regularity is Harney Sushi; it probably wouldn't be too crowded between 1500 and 1700.  I used to work near Bully's East; nice place, good food, but a bit of an unfriendly hike from the nearest trolley stop (unfriendly as in no sidewalks along a busy road). Sounds like we have at least two people depending on public transport and/or walking; Karl Strauss and numerous places in Little Italy would also be options. OhNo itsJamie  Talk 02:54, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
 * No, not every restaurant within easy walk of the train or convention center will be mobbed on an afternoon, especially not Wednesday afternoon. The best time to pick up your convention badge is later on Wednesday, after the lines clear up a bit. If you're going to the con, you have to get your badge, and getting it after a Wednesday is a nuisance. Stay within 2-3 blocks of the train tracks. It's about meeting people. I'm okay with water and a snack, sandwich maybe. (No place we choose will serve my beverage of choice anyway.) Doczilla  @SUPERHEROLOGIST 06:22, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
 * This is why Downtown Johnny Brown's kinda works, it is less than two blocks from the nearest trolley station, it is right next to Golden Hall and the Civic Center parking garage and open pay for parking lots used by individuals going to the Hall of Justice, and it is in that sweet spot in being far enough from the Convention Center (above Broadway), and being close enough to walk (or to take the trolley back) the Convention Center.
 * Another nice thing about Wednesday is it is Preview Night, so the crowd planning to go down to the convention center is by design smaller than that who go to the four full days of the regular convention; so the crowds that are heading down to SDCC's preview night will be smaller.
 * Oh, and if one has a staff or volunteer or exhibitor badge my experience is that the earliest one can get their pass is Monday at the convention center when they are just beginning to set up badge operations. Also, they have done off site badge issuing at Town and Country in Mission Valley, usually starting Tuesday.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 09:33, 5 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Downtown Johnny Brown's sounds good to me (probably more accessible than Slater's). Also of the places MelanieN described, Guadalajara is easiest for me to get to. -SusanLesch (talk) 19:09, 5 June 2013 (UTC)

Parking
While looking at the notes at Meetup/LA1 I noticed that one of the comments that came up was parking. For those who are not attending the convention, and driving in for the event parking needs to be a consideration. Anywhere downtown will require attendees to pay for parking for their individual vehicles, that is unless they park elsewhere and take public transportation into downtown (which is served by San Diego Metropolitan Transit System's San Diego Trolley and buses). Slater's 50/50 in Liberty Station has ample free parking, but the other suggestions that have been listed up to the date of this posting do not. Just something to think about.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 19:46, 17 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Los Angelinos should consider taking the Amtrak service there. My husband does that when his company insists he attend.  It's easy and pleasant.LiPollis (talk) 20:23, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Most metered parking in downtown (especially away from the Gaslamp) is free after 6pm M-Sat, but during weekdays, parking is indeed expensive and a pain downtown. Liberty Station is a good choice; lots of stuff over there, and I think it's fairly straightforward to get a bus there if one is staying downtown.  Either way, I have a car and don't mind going to any of the places that have been brought up so far. OhNo itsJamie  Talk 17:05, 19 April 2013 (UTC)

Time
If memory serves me Preview Night starts around 1600 or 1700 and last three to four hours, meaning the meet-up would be after Preview Night, say sometime after 2000? --RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 20:05, 17 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Wednesday sounds good. There's usually not enough going on that night. On other nights, the meetup would probably have to take place at some bigger party, which might not be a bad thing. Doczilla  @SUPERHEROLOGIST 08:12, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
 * If it were to be part of larger events, which organizations would like to have us join them? There are ALOT of after hour events THU-SAT held by many corporations and organizations making finding a medium to large meeting area hard to find in the Gaslamp.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 17:21, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Based on last year's preview night hours, they are from 1800-2100. For those using mass transit, that is really late; though I wouldn't be opposed to providing transportation within a reasonable distance (say back out to the nearest trolley station or ten miles) for those who need it. Other nights, the exhibition hall closes at 1900, if we decide to move the date away from Wednesday.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 07:01, 21 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Would we be OK for a happy hour? Say 1500-1700, which will give those attending Con time to get to see the floor? Because meeting up after preview night, which would be like 2130 would be far to late for those taking public transit.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 07:06, 2 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Yes! I like the idea of 1500-1700. (2130 leaves me stranded and I wouldn't attend.) And if prices come down, even during ComicCon, at happy hour somewhere, all the better. -SusanLesch (talk) 13:53, 2 June 2013 (UTC)
 * 1500-1900 are the mid-day happy hours at Slater's 50/50, which would reduce the prices for all attending. So I am saying this solidifies it for me, I will change the meeting page to reflect this.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 05:05, 3 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Do we have a date nailed down for this yet? I'll have to plan to leave work a little early so I can escape from Sorrento Hell before traffic gets gnarly. OhNo itsJamie Talk 13:59, 4 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Yes, 1500-1700 on WED 17 JULY 2013. There is an above discussion to assist Doczilla on location, he is concern about the distance between Slater's 50/50 in old NTC is too far (5.6 miles) from the SDCC.
 * Where in Sorrento Hell? I am now working on Lusk Boulevard, so I understand your traffic pain.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 18:12, 4 June 2013 (UTC)
 * A biotech up on Nancy Ridge Road. The only good thing about working in this area again (just started a new job here after working in downtown or Mission Valley for the last 11 years) is the food choices. I love the Afghan place in the Tech Center food court. OhNo itsJamie  Talk 22:49, 4 June 2013 (UTC)

List of potential participants
--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 20:19, 18 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Meetup/LA/Invites
 * WikiProject San Diego/Participants
 * WikiProject Comics/Participants
 * WikiProject California/Participants
 * WikiProject California/Southern California task force/Participants

Post meeting planning
I am thinking, after this meetup occurs, we should do an informal after action review. This way we can learn from the event, so it can be improved for later meetings for the San Diego area. Like, was the location good, would a different time be better, things like that.--RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 21:15, 24 June 2013 (UTC)

Comic-Con Panel ideas discussion
You are invited to join the discussion at Village pump (miscellaneous)/Archive 45. RightCowLeftCoast (talk) 11:30, 20 February 2014 (UTC)