What it was like
East San Diego Masonic Lodge, 7849 Tommy Dr. South Pacificon Game Fest is the tabletop and board game convention that belongs to San Diego specifically — a community-run event that doesn't try to be PAX West and doesn't need to. June 19th, in a real venue, with the game library and the people who know how to use it.
Pacificon is built by gamers for gamers, which means the priorities are right: tables big enough for the game that needs them, organizers who know the titles and can teach them, a schedule of demos and freeplay that covers both the classics and the games that just came out this year. The dealer area runs titles from publishers who are present specifically to talk about them, not just sell them.
South Pacificon is smaller than the Bay Area original, which makes it more navigable — you can cover the floor, meet the people who run the events, and get into a game the same day you arrive. pacificonquest.com for the full schedule and registration. June in San Diego means heading inside from pleasant weather, which is the right reason to spend a day at a table playing games with people who showed up for the same reason.