If you’ve ever been to San Diego Comic-Con, you’ve probably noticed the extremely long lines at the Starbucks locations inside the convention center and at the Hilton Bayfront just across the street. But if you’re willing to venture just a bit further, you can skip those lines and get your Starbucks fix much quicker at SDCC 2018. Here’s how.
Download the Starbucks app and order ahead using the mobile order option.
How does mobile ordering work? You just open the Starbucks app, customize your order, select which location you want to pick it up at, and input your payment method. You’ll be given an estimated amount of time in which your order will be ready (typically 4 – 9 minutes), then you just show up at the pick up window, give the barista your name and tell them you have a mobile order, and you walk out of the store without having to wait in line. If you’re a bit early, you may have to wait a short time at the pickup window for them to call your name, but it beats having to wait in line!
Note that not all Starbucks locations offer the mobile order option. None of the three locations in the convention center do, nor does the Hilton Bayfront location, nor the one in the Marriott Marquis.
So which downtown San Diego Starbucks locations DO offer mobile order?
- 5th Ave and L Street
- 4th & Market
- Harbor Drive & (Pacific) Coast Highway
- 10th & Market
- Horton Plaza
- Horton Plaza – Pavilion Area (Broadway & 4th)
- 525 B Street (6th & B Street)
- Broadway & Kettner
The closest mobile order option to the convention center is the 5th Ave and L Street location (marked by the larger green indicator arrow above), which is right next to Mary Jane’s (which is usually themed as something Comic-Con related during SDCC — last year it was a gaming lounge) at the Hard Rock Hotel. Yes, if you’re already at the convention center, you’ll have to cross the railroad tracks to get to it on the other side of the street, but you’ll probably be able to place your order, walk over and get it, then come back in a much quicker time than it would have taken you standing in line at one of the closer locations.
The Starbucks located at Harbor Drive and Pacific Coast Highway (the app calls it “Coast Highway” while the street signs call it “Pacific Highway”) is a good option if you’re at the Manchester Grand Hyatt or Embassy Suites. It’s at the back of the Headquarters shopping center, the one where Cheesecake Factory is.
The other Starbucks locations on the list are a bit far to walk from the convention center, but are good options if you’re walking from a further out hotel or parking lot.
Will you be needing a Starbucks fix while at San Diego Comic-Con 2018? Let us know in the comments below!
Our other SDCC Tips articles:
Start Getting Comic Con Fit Now
How to Avoid Con Crud
Keep Your Devices Powered Up
Seating Capacity
Planning Your Schedule with Sched
Last Minute Tips
I didn’t realize that there were Starbucks out there that didn’t allow mobile ordering. That’s just unAmerican.