San Diego preparing for Comic-Con.
Comics and pop culture aficionados will soon descend on San Diego in droves for the Comic-Con International, an annual convention that’s long been an economic boon for the city but may move elsewhere in a few years.About 125,000 people annually attend Comic-Con, which features hundreds of exhibits, celebrity appearances, film screenings and industry panels over four days.
In recent years, the confab has been embraced by Hollywood as one of the premier events to haul out new action, fantasy, science fiction and animated movies and television shows.
This year’s sold-out gathering runs July 22-25 at the San Diego Convention Center.
But the future of Comic-Con in San Diego remains uncertain. Other cities such as Los Angeles and Anaheim have been trying hard to lure Comic-Con to their cities, starting in 2013.
According to a recent report, Comic-Con will inject nearly $163 million into San Diego’s economy during this year’s run.
To keep the show in San Diego, officials have offered Comic-Con organizers a half-million dollars in incentives to stay and are working to possibly expand the Convention Center.
Comic-Con began in 1970 as a one-day convention at the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego. Since then, the event has become so popular it has outgrown even the Convention Center, spilling out to other venues.
Despite the uncertainty about its future home, the lineup for this year’s Comic-Con will be crowd-pleasing.
Industry insiders and a lucky few will get a taste of what’s in store at this year’s Comic-Con during a preview night on July 21, which will include a behind-the-scenes look at the new television series “Nikita.”
Highlights of opening day include the debut of DreamWorks’ animated “Megamind;” an inside look at Walt Disney Pictures’ “TRON: Legacy”; Sony Pictures Entertainment showcasing its new film “Salt”; Summit Entertainment giving a sneak peek of footage from “Red,” and an “insider scoop” of “The Expendables.”
July 23 is “Star War” day, with panel discussions and special programs. Also, Universal Pictures will present an exclusive look at the science fiction thriller “Skyline,” CBS with showcase its sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” comics legend Stan Lee will discuss his work Sony Pictures will preview its upcoming films “The Other Guys,” “The Green Hornet” and
“Priest,” and the cast from “True Blood” will take part in a panel discussion.The 22nd annual Eisner Awards, considered the “Oscars” of the comics industry, will be given out at a ceremony at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront that Friday night.
The following day, Seth MacFarlane will discuss “Family Guy;’ NBC will premiere “The Event,” Warner Bros. will showcase the upcoming “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” Matt Groening will discuss creating “The Simpsons” and the cast of NBC’s “Community” will make an appearance.
Also on Saturday, the cast of “The Vampire Diaries” will answer fan questions, Universal will present two upcoming films “Paul’ and “Cowboys & Aliens,” writer- actor Kevin Smith will meet fans, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage will discuss their show “Mythbusters” and Marvel Studios will give an inside look at “Thor” and “Captain America: The First Avenger.”
The last day of the convention features a cast question-and-answer session on the final season of “Smallville,’ a discussion by the creators of the game “Halo,” a panel on Marvel’s “Spider-Man” and an appearance by the cast and creators of the Fox television hit “Glee.”
Among the many celebrities rumored or scheduled to attend this year’s Comic-Con are Angelina Jolie, Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Liv Tyler, Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Seth Rogen, Chevy Chase, William Shatner, Jon Favreau, Sigourney Weaver and Danny DeVito.
Rancho Valencia Resort adjacent to Fairbanks Ranch in Rancho Santa Fe
Tucked away in the affluent community of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Rancho Valencia resort is awash in lush plantlife and gorgeous gardens, world-class food, tennis instruction for every level and plenty of relaxation opportunities (think a 10,000-sq.-ft., first-class spa.) If you’re looking to get away from your hectic schedule and busy life for a few days, consider Rancho Valencia the perfect retreat.The first thing you’ll notice after entering the gates of Rancho Valencia, an Auberge Resort, is just how charming it is. The California hacienda style of the buildings feels both luxurious and comfortable, as do the guest rooms. The resort has only 26 casitas (49 one- and two-room suites), which allows for a more intimate resort feel and top-notch service. Each guest suite is huge, to say the least. Ranging from 850-2,200 square feet, suites include exposed white-washed beams, hand-painted tiling, cathedral ceilings, fireplaces, a private lounge/dining patio or garden setting (some with a personal hot tub), beautiful bathrooms with steam showers and deep soaking tubs, luxe linens and much more.
Assuming you can pry yourself away from your suite, The Spa should be your very next stop. Clearly a point of pride for the Rancho Valencia staff, The Spa opened in 2006 and boasts the best of the best in amenities, services and staff. Before your treatment, you’ll want to arrive early so you can experience the steam room, sauna and plunge pools (dunking yourself in the chilly water—which is in the 60-degree range―followed by the two warmer pools it is said to improve circulation). The treatment rooms are also a pleasant surprise, as each has its own private patio (five of the ten have private soaking tubs, too), and if you choose to enjoy your treatment with the doors open, you will even hear birds chirping, making for the perfect spa treatment soundtrack. After you’re fully relaxed and pampered, head to the lap pool or the fitness center for a post-Zen workout in the form of yoga, pilates, spinning or swimming—of course, laying in the sun and ordering lunch is perfectly acceptable too.
In addition to the avid spa-goer, the tennis player (or beginner) also has a place at Rancho Valencia. Voted the “#1 U.S. Tennis Resort” by Tennis Magazine in 2008, Rancho Valencia offers 17 Deco-Turf hard courts and the option to schedule a private lesson, round-robin or instructional clinic with one of the eight staff tennis pros. Other activity options at Rancho Valencia include golf, biking, hiking, croquet, ballooning and polo.
Rancho Valencia is the perfect place to be after working up an appetite. Executive Chef C. Barclay Dodge cooks up “Coastal Ranch” cuisine using local and seasonal ingredients in The Restaurant, which was named “One of the Top 100 Hotel Restaurants” by Zagat Survey. My personal favorite meal during my stay was the sautéed Alaskan halibut—cooked to perfection, the sweet corn and fava beans made for the perfect accompaniment.
For more information on Rancho Valencia or to make a reservation, call 800.548.3664 or visit www.ranchovalencia.com.
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