Best Fanboy Events In Orange County

Orange County is not just for the bold and beautiful; it is also a haven for the introverted geeks who make the world go round. From Irvine's bustling tech scene to Anaheim's gaming and anime conventions, there are plenty of reasons for the most sheltered among us to face the sun and embrace their fellow nerds. Gatherings such as these require a deep passion for a specific interest. Whether it's something you and your buddies can enjoy for one day a year or on a weekly basis, there are plenty of activities and events geared toward fanboys and fangirls

Medieval Times is every Orange County geek's dream come to life. Whether it's the fantasy setting or the hearty grub, the flashback experience that this dinner and a show venue offers is one of a kind. Instead of trekking across an entire Renaissance Faire just to watch two dudes duke it out on horses and then with swords, you can sit back and enjoy a gigantic turkey leg while in an arena built for combat. Beyond the jousting competition, there is also live falconry and horsemanship, something you cannot get anywhere else.

Blizzcon
800 W Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 765-8950
ue.battle.net

Besides Star Wars, there is another popular fictional universe that has most geeks in this part of California obsessed and that is World of Warcraft. WoW's founding company, Blizzard, is responsible for some of the biggest PC games of all time, including the Diablo and Starcraft franchises. All three of their offspring are showcased every year in Anaheim at the annual Blizzcon gathering, usually held in October. Play games early, meet the developers, win swag and, of course, chicken out at a chance to talk to booth babes at this epic mecca of geek culture.

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WonderCon
800 W Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 765-8950
March 29-31
www.comic-con.org

For those unwilling to make the trek all the way down to San Diego for Comic-Con and loathe attending anything in Los Angeles, WonderCon is the perfect spot. Geared more toward the purity of comic books and not their spin-off TV and feature film offspring, WonderCon brings you face-to-face with some of the biggest and best talent in the industry. This year includes appearances from Dean Koontz, Jim Lee, and various other writers, artists, and illustrators. There is also a masquerade competition for the best costume on Saturday night, so iron those spandex tights and bust out the cape before heading down to WonderCon.

AM2
800 W Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 765-8950
Aug. 23-25
www.am2con.org

Another convention that should reach another sizable swathe of Orange County geeks is the annual anime, music and manga convention held in Anaheim. This one focuses more on Japanese animation, the manga culture and J-pop, among other musical genres. Fans can sit in on panels hosted and featuring their favorite artists, musicians, or animators, while also attending workshops that might help them bridge the gap from fan to artist. Prices are crazy low, starting at just $5 for a one-day ticket. Don't forget to bring a camera so you can pose with your favorite cosplayer.

Durty Nelly's
2915 Redhill Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA, 92627
(714) 957-1951
www.durtynellysoc.com

Every Wednesday night, the Geeks Who Drink tour comes to Costa Mesa at Durty Nelly's for many rounds of nerdy trivia. Bar trivia sometimes devolves into whom can recall random Super Bowl winners or popular culture icons, but the late rounds of this knoweldgeapalooza can test even the most studious of drunks. The quizmasters take this game quite seriously, so noobs might find it tough to fit in right away. Just put your thinking cap on, order your favorite drink and, when in doubt, bring people way smarter than you!

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Jesse Seilhan is a writer, editor and photographer from the California Bay Area. After moving to Long Beach, Jesse continues his passion for writing and music by covering concerts, interviewing top artists, and giving a dose of wisdom in a crazy, mixed-up musical world. His work can be found at Examiner.com.