I try 10 Bay Area Board Game Stores

[@garytheosophilus]

It’s Your Move: I’ll bet the owner’s energy is the most infectious there. It’s transmitted to her patrons. Congratulations Chris! You’re building and strengthening your community ❤

[@Chris-wd3sw]

Can confirm it is!

[@Snaillearningacademy]

I went there on a super busy night and he took the time to help me find solo board games. He brought me from shelf to shelf to shelf. Really nice guy, you can tell he loves games. I've been to a lot of LGSes and most of the time they haven't played the games or used the products.

[@TheGameFortressOfficial]

Thank you for making this video for all the stores in the area and for trekking all the way up to Novato to check out our store!!! Happy to be part of the gaming community in the Bay Area now. Really appreciate all the kind words and definitely would be happy to talk to you if you ever are back in the North Bay.

[@TheHipHopapotimus]

You have an amazing store! I wish we had one here. Your community is very lucky. I wish you all the best!

[@MaruMaruMaruMaruMaruMaru]

Do you do rentals or demos at the store?! Maybe try a boardgame instead of buying it unseen?

[@Princederbat]

​@@MaruMaruMaruMaruMaruMaru hi, I don't work there, but I go and play there a lot and yes they do have a selection of boardgames that are available to demo for free.

[@chivvo1]

Visited San Francisco last October from Australia. We found Gamescape and were blown away by the setting, selection and service. My 10 year old was treated like his own person, rather than my kid. I know that sounds weird, but it meant a lot to him to have someone ask him questions and help him out, without using me as a moderator like most stores do. The selection was amazing, although this is always skewed as there were a lot of games there were not yet available in Australia. So US people probably don’t see it that way. I spent a lot of money and had to go to a thrift shop to buy an additional suitcase to take home, but that just solidified its value to me. Well worth the train from the city and Uber back.

[@prestonfisher9162]

I got to visit Chris just yesterday while on a trip. She's great, and I'm so glad you got a chance to stop by and talk with her ❤

[@KillJoy83]

Awww missed Dogpatch Games in SF. Nice video though! Thank you. I think of the ones you covered I like Victory Point best, but I've only been to 4 of them.

[@peterboda1737]

Nice call out, that place looks dope!

[@danieloneil8319]

It's Your Move is definitely a second home for a lot of people, (including me). Definitely limited by the size of the space, but if you're looking for welcome, or community, it's a vibe I haven't gotten anywhere else. & thanks for the video; it's cool to see board game stores in the bay get a shout out in general: I get a feeling that there's a lack of information about where/how to get into gaming around here from people who are new to the area.

[@sourround2002]

Missed Gator Games in San Mateo! They've been there forever! While it's not the best place for playing games because the location is incredibly small (though they do hold events), the staff has always been friendly and they've got a wide selection of boardgames and TCGs to purchase.

[@nickmelkata3950]

Yep, gator games staff and selection is terrific!

[@erikwithakayy]

Agree, Gator games does a lot with a tiny space. They have quite a large collection that is obviously heavily curated due to space constraints.

[@misdirections]

You guys hit up all my spots! haha I prefer the Game Kastle in Redwood City over the Santa Clara one (though a close friend of mine worked at the SC location, so props to them for that!) I never thought of The Game Parlour or Victory Point as "stores" per se, though I have bought from them before; they are much more of a cafe to hang and play games that incidentally sold games as well. That being said, a new cafe opened up in Burlingame, Plucky's, that I've gotta check out. Rad video, especially for those of us who live here!

[@BoardGameBlitz]

I heard about Plucky's and I need to check it out too! I'm excited cause it's just 10 minutes away from me so that's actually feasible to go to with kids.

[@VeraDeVera]

Oh and one more that was overlooked was Dr Comix and Games on Piedmont Ave in Oakland-surprisingly a ton of games in that space!

[@xenos2027]

yeah, if you’re into comics dr comics & mr games does a sale every last sunday where their dollar comics are only 25 cents! i collect for jason todd and i got some good finds last time i went there :]

[@TheRulesLawyerRPG]

Gotta say that Victory Point Cafe is in Berkeley which is a university town, so yes there is a lot of studying that goes on there doing the day BUT it becomes a hopping/loud board game place on evenings (they also serve alcohol) and is full of gaming all weekend!

[@KentBunn]

GoB was my second ever game store. Back in the mid/late 80's there was a store on Geary, just off Park Presidio that I'd stop at after getting off GGT on the way from Santa Rosa to Oakland. Gamescape I starrted visiting regularly sometime after HS (Class of 87). Before Covid I was fairly regular at Victory Point. Black Diamond and Forgotten Path are my main haunts now. I still miss the annual auctions at Endgame in Oakland.

[@Soulsproximity]

Sad you guys didn't hit up Gamescape North in San Rafael. Great place!

[@Princederbat]

Thanks so much for including Game Fortress! That's the LGS I go to and I've loved it since it opened in November/December! Great staff and a great community, hopefully this will encourage more people to come try it out, keep these awesome guys open and prospering!

[@stevegere]

Victory Point is such a great places. Spent many hours playing there and found so many wonderful games there.

[@Fallout3Nerd69]

I’m glad you guys showed guild house. The bar is also the host of the biggest weeklies in the bay for FGC games.

[@Viriditas_Music]

The Game Fortress!! 💙 Can confirm it smells good and the vibes are right.

[@JH-pe3ro]

Game Parlour is always packed in the evenings every time I walk by it, though everyone seems to avoid the outdoor seating. I'm not big into TT but even I've been a few times.

[@md83619]

Great video, but on your way from San Jose to San Francisco, there is another Game Castle in Redwood City and San Mateo has Gator Games on the peninsula which is small, but full of goodness.

[@ellemundo5]

Great video! It’s your move is my home LGS! Friends and family were actually there playing MTG during your visit! I’m so glad you felt the community vibe at It’s Your Move. Its a special place, it’s got soul. Thanks for naming Its Your Move as the bays best. Come back and visit! Peace!

[@feldmanjb]

Gamelandia is my home base. Great store and great staff. Next level cafe is still in the process of opening.

[@Toltendo]

You gotta hit up Black Diamond Games in Concord next time!

[@thecactusman17]

Was really shocked to not see Black Diamond Games in Concord or Gamescape North in San Rafael. The Bay extends north of the Golden Gate and East of Oakland!

[@tutubeater1]

Black Diamond Games is my gold standard when it comes to service and cleanliness!

[@PocketBeemRocket]

I too was surprised. It’s by the old Fry’s, and fairly accessible by BART with a short bus ride.

[@ThePavin]

Was definitely spoiled by Gamelandia. Got into the hobby and saw they were nearby, had literally everything I could want

[@benp.1031]

Used to work at It's Your Move. Owner is the nicest person I've ever met and I miss everything about working there.

[@wperdew6078]

Ive been to a few of the places in this video, even roll dice inna couple of them. Nice video! Black Diamond Games is a great store, and hey shout out to my local game stores (Mad Alpaca, and Forgotten Path), a place where legeneds have been made!

[@wperdew6078]

And a really sad thing is the mecca of games for my group was Games Unlimited, in concord..this place moved to Danville about 20(?) Years back and just sells little kid games

[@DMWaldo]

Had no idea you were in the Bay Area! That's cool. I hit Illusive at least once a month. My favorite place. Great vibes, great people.

[@indeimaus]

p5 music is goated

[@Shelfside]

its too good for this type of vid! -Ashton

[@erikwithakayy]

Im glad you pointed out the prices of the games at Gamelandia. The games there are heavily marked up. My favorite for shopping is Gator Games in San Mateo, my favorite for playing is Game Kastle in Redwood City, Game Parlour is fantastic too.

[@mistuhbear]

Great vid guys - show me around to some of these next time I make it out to SJ haha Glad to see Ashton's favorite game making an appearance again :)

[@TheRulesLawyerRPG]

Aww damn! I'm a fan of your channel! I'm in the Bay and woulda welcomed you! Glad you saw my favorite pit stop Victory Point Cafe! Thanks for showcasing all these great places!!

[@josephvandenberg2483]

Gamescape was my home base for a while before moving, now Dogpatch is where its at

[@wenchwoggYT]

Dang, FFT music sent me back. Good video, I've been to Illusive + Game Kastle Santa Clara

[@mrbastos]

As a Bay Area native some of these I knew some I didn't. Must check some of these out

[@imthestein]

I'm glad to see the SF Gamescape is still around. I used to go to the one in Palo Alto as a kid and last I heard that store closed down. I've been to the one in SF and I remember really enjoying it

[@peterboda1737]

Some great picks, have been to almost all in the video. Couple I'd recommend in the peninsula are Next Level in Mountain View and Plucky's in Burlingame. Plucky's has some of the best food/drinks options I've had at a cafe. Thanks for the work put into this.

[@mavarius]

Nice to see Fremont made the list but no mention of the other Game Kastle location there. I used to frequent that Game Kastle since Bigger Better Games is closed more often than open.

[@SteveLEKORodrigue]

Giving you an idea: why not doing interviews and discussions with owners, I would like to hear more about Chris and her store!

[@VeraDeVera]

ITYM also hosts a comedy show on Saturday nights!

[@LordGek]

I'll second that as I think hearing the owner or even a long time manager gives you a deeper understanding of their vibe.

[@ModalRev]

Moved away from Bay Area, but will hit up the stores when I'm back!

[@soulside]

Gamescape has been my local for 20+ years. Thanks for making this. Can’t wait to check out the rest of these.

[@AfroFoFo]

i think you'd love love love Portland. Feel so spoiled with all the great shops around town

[@califax512]

oh wow, are you guys in the bay area? I hope there is a meetup some day, it would be awesome to play some games with you all :)

[@ashtonwu7760]

Yep! We wanted to organize one eventually :)

[@BoardGameBlitz]

Thanks for this video! I live in San Mateo but haven't been to many game stores in the last ~5 years (since I got kids). We have made the drive to Gamelandia a few times with our kids and it's really nice (but pricey). It's neat how they have games set up outside to play though. I think some of the places I had been to to pre-kids don't exist anymore. 🙁 But I have been to Victory Point Cafe (once way back when it opened) and I'm glad that's still around! I loved the theming of The Game Fortress! And your FLGS has so much space! I've been to the Game Kastle in Mountain View (I think it moved to Redwood City now) but don't think I've been to Santa Clara's.

[@sbaker4902]

The Gamelandia location is very weird vibes. The owners recently fired the manager who exuded love for both the games and the people he shared them with…it’s their loss, he deserves better. My family will miss seeing him though. Funny story btw, one of the worlds top Pokémon TCG players lives right by the place and refuses to give them business…a worlds level player who has definitely been to all kinds of LGSs and seen the best and worst, and he opts out of the one just down the street? Very telling.

[@OAZIScomics]

This is great! I’ve been in the bay all my life and never even heard of any of these places, I wanna go see em all! Thanks 😇

[@nightfire734]

Great coverage, but there are some spots on the Peninsula you missed. Anime Imports (which is actually a game shop) in Pacifica, (another) Game Kastle Redwood City, which is pretty different, Gator Games in San Mateo, Heretic Games in San Bruno, and few smaller game/comic shops thrown around that some focus on TCGs/board games/miniatures more than other. There's also a lot of board game clubs at libraries and bars!

[@mscott54321]

Next door to Game Parlour on Irving (SF) there's a nice cafe, Cafe la Flore, for "artisan" (fancy but not terribly expensive) sandwiches & wraps if you want a more substantial bite before gaming (but no desserts or snacks, but they do have coffee & smoothies), closes earlier though (around 6p?), and then follow up with something sweet at GP after (eg the waffles & coffee). And the owner (Cafe la Flore) is super nice, been there for years (at least a decade), I think two places have come & gone at the Game Parlour address since. GP is the first place in over a decade that's really done well at that address, that location is kind of between the two busy areas on Irving, namely at 9th & Irving and the few blocks on other side of 19th. (I live nearby! Nice area.)

[@Shelfside]

Thanks for sharing mate! -Ashton

[@michelleg648]

Gamelandia is my home game store and I couldn't ask for a better nearby store. Luckily they do advertise the game room a lot, and have a lot of better pricing options available to students.

[@mathmathmatronaru5018]

Hope you get to go to Next Level some time. I can't speak for the places in the video, but at Next Level I feel that they are really trying to build community and connect people.

[@jmurphy2751]

Illusive and Game Kastle are my FLGS. Been to Gamelandia and Games of Berkeley, both are awesome. Definitely some more to check out.

[@StarWarsGoldfish]

I recommend mad alpaca games next time

[@forouza1]

Please come up to Seattle. It’s a mecca for awesome LFGS. My favorite is Zulu’s. They even host a big TI4 tournament quarterly. You guys should come up for that.

[@yakitatefreak]

There should definitely be a second video for the Bay Area based on what I have heard about. There's quite a few places that did not get a mention Legends Comics and Games in the following locations: Eastridge (San Jose), Oakridge (San Jose), Great Mall (Milpitas), and Valley Fair (Santa Clara) Games of [Franchise] (not related to Games of Berkley) in the following locations: Livermore, Concord, Martinez, Brentwood King Kong in Dublin (Formerly part of the Games of Franchise) Game Kastle in the following locations: San Jose (Westgate), Redwood City, Fremont Next Level Gaming in Mountain View Forgotten Path Games in Vacaville Mad Alpaca Games in Fairfield Black Diamond Games in Concord NorCal TCG in Martinez (Though this one is more of a TCG place than a board game place)

[@raz1984]

And Gamescape North in San Rafael! They are related to Gamescape SF.

[@collectionconnection3722]

Chris from “Games Of” is a con-man, wouldn’t recommend any of those stores.

[@blueseqperl]

Very cool trip. I'll check out these stores next time on the West Coast

[@Kriakye2435]

Glad to see u visit the stores!

[@MrSwanch0]

Gamescape was sick AF I went there right before lockdown loved it 😊

[@andrewi.crocker8675]

If you are ever in the Los Angeles area, definately check out Geeky Teas and Games in Burbank, it is one of my favorites, every time I'm in the area I go and the staff is always very friendly and helpful.

[@jd7457]

GoB holds so many high school memories for me. Great video.

[@Shelfside]

Cheers! It's an awesome place -Ashton

[@Freddisred]

Good video, I recommend Spacecat around SJ/Santa Clara

[@somebody3768]

Thanks very much for visiting us. I am so glad you enjoyed our space. Here is hoping you have time to come back and join our gaming community!

[@Shelfside]

Heyo, cheers! What store are you from again haha. Bigger better games? -Ashton

[@Scot6x7]

If you do another like this, and if you get more into North Bay area, Goblin Bros North in Santa Rosa is a must see, their Nautilus Room is amazing 🤩

[@raz1984]

Sorry to not see Gamescape North in San Rafael! They are not related to Gamescape SF.

[@sebastienvivas9319]

Great video!

[@WorldofSoupS]

For TCG specific stores, CardArt in Sunnyvale is one of the best in the bay area, no board games but if you play any TCG's this is the haven for all players, its insanely popular. Also Magitek games in Milpitas is newer, but the owner supports a lot of underappreciated games and has consoles and arcade cabinets for open fighting game play and weekly TCG and fighting game events.

[@nelson1tom]

I'm definitely going to visit illusive comics and games

[@jamesreed2475]

Ive been to many of these locations. I own a kids camp in the Bay Area where we do MtG and DnD. Gamelandia is our main rival. Weve even used GKMV (which no longer exists) as the first location for our DnD games. Ive always enjoyed GK locations. For my money Guildhouse is the best place to play a board game, hands down. Any place that requires a mask in 2024 is a hard no for me. Thanks for the video.

[@CaptainC6969]

You guys missed Games Post and Dogpatch Games in SF! Two of my fav places. Highly recommended

[@demonicbunny3po]

I think everyone wants a “It’s Your Move” type of place.

[@grantcarter3972]

Love your guys' videos, I only recently found you but you're my new favorite board game channel, and you've given me a few new local places to check out! That all said, I would recommend against having street signs from around where you live in videos, even if not filming right outside your house, surely it's not ideal to narrow that sort of thing down for random internet denizens. Good luck with all you do!

[@naturesfinest2408]

I want to hear the whole talk from the owner of the 8th store. You say after you should've talked to more owners, I agree. I was thinkong the whole video that it seems rushed. The owners of the stores are probably trying things you didnt see or think of to garner customers. That, or trends theyve been seeing through the community. I was hoping for more indepth content of each store. Nothing really wows me or seems special. Events, whats unique about their store, when you can expect people to show up, all go into to making a store more than a plave you buy things. If you do this again, which you should, i want to hear the perspectives of the respective owners.

[@Shelfside]

Thanks for the feedback! Definitely noted. I'm thinking for the next vid like this, we might set it to 5 board game stores, since it was already a 9:45 AM to 11 PM shoot haha. -Ashton

[@somefishhere]

@@ShelfsideI think even a single board game store would be fine. The flow of the video would be something like 1. Introduce the Shelfside crew on who is going to 2. Introduce the store 3. Check out the space 4. Talk to owner 5. Get a demo on a game 6. Shelfside crew plays the game, get lots of b-roll here. 7. Interview a couple people coming into the store, suggest a board game Shelfside likes to them (aka, pretend to be a board game sommelier, fun lil skit) 8. Get food, talk about Shelfside news, things you are looking forward to in the coming months 9. Wrap up, final thoughts on the store and trip to the city You could go for one of these videos every quarter so you can get every season of the Bay Area, could even make it holiday themed. Alternatively it could be once a quarter and you could let the store and patreon members know ahead of time and it could be like, a board game day. That way you could actually film gamers, since the people would know that you would be filing that day.

[@dungeonmaster16]

live in bay area, my common go to lgs is gamelandia and the game kastle location in redwood city. second is gator games in san mateo. when i used to live on east bay side ones i used to go to are black diamond games in concord and galaxy games in san ramon.

[@dungeonmaster16]

and yeah gamelandia i love that place. during when the mtg starter commander decks were out there was manufacture issues of english packaging would have the spanish translated cards instead of english. the owner told me and friends this so if we got the spanish cards he is willing to take them, give us another box (if dont have it then refund) and open it to see if its the english cards. gotta respect a store owner for doing that.

[@sparklinggamemaster]

We've tried renting out the tavern backroom at Games of Berkley for a play space to play Pathfinder. I am baffled why they don't have doors on those rooms, because there was a Warhammer event going on, and being able to even hear each other in the tavern room was almost impossible. I could be okay with no food and drink, but no door? I don't think we want to try that again.

[@bankuei]

We used to do pretty regular game meet ups at Victory Point before the pandemic kicked off. I loved the food and the game selection. Next time you end up in Oakland you may want to check out Dr. Comics & Mr. Games. They're a combo comics, RPGs, boardgames, and geek stuff store, but a fun stop nonetheless.

[@Shelfside]

Oh yep, we were planning on going there but I think it juuuuust closed before we could make it! -Ashton

[@CPenguinish]

Pluckys in Burlingame is a new one!

[@staggerlee9362]

Bait and switch! The thumbnail shows Gamescape in the background, my favorite local shop, but no visit.

[@soapmonkey5205]

I like the persona music!

[@Shelfside]

its so good!!! -Ashton

[@jg7634]

Its your move is a decent place to play, but there selection of games is extremely limited. Its more a MtG spot. Some of the best food in the bay area is on that block or right across the street though. Round 2 you need to check out- Concord: black diamond games Oakland: Dr. Comics & Mr. Games San Rafael: Gamescape North

[@bryanbischof4351]

Great video. Also biased but I agree with your picks for favorites

[@Spacewolf78]

Hell yea showing off the victory point singles sign I photoshopped all by myself

[@majorpain8569]

Holy moly. @Danae is working at Illusive now.

[@michaellee7630]

wow went to novato, keep going to santa rosa to OP games

[@Mrappbrain966]

Must be nice living in an area with so many board game stores. Hard to find outside the United States. You know what would be globally relatable though? A review of John Company 2nd Edition!

[@dwgautier]

You missed Black Diamond Games of Concord, easily one of the best game stores of the Bay Area. Gary the owner is the best!

[@anbuagent12]

I used to go to bigger better games. It was pretty alright. I'd recomend Games of Fremont if you're in the area next time. Had a lot of fun there.

[@thatsnotkat]

secures the spot: hits the whip ✔️

[@petercockroach]

I’m always curious about game prices. I want to support my local FLGSs more, but when the prices are so inflated from the OLGSs, it can be hard to pay the premium. Which of the stores you visited had the best prices?

[@clarkcommando1983]

You need to go to Reno for the glass die

[@somefishhere]

Would love if the full four minute interview went up on your patreon or something! 20:45

[@Trrade]

My brothers in christ you missed Dogpatch Games which is the probably the best and Plucky's Cafe which is the cutest

[@Bennettbrawler]

Greatly appreciate the persona music

[@MochenLiuUX]

No Dogpatch Game in SF?

[@justacynic]

It’s a bit out of the way if you think about what they were doing. (imo)

[@johntran2252]

Your route seemed not optimized. You went from santa clara, up to sf, across to oakland and berkeley, down to fremont, then over to palo alto. Why didn’t you hit up palo alto while going from Santa Clara to sf.

[@clarkcommando1983]

Games of Berkeley rocks

[@minoo_h]

You had an encounter with Gandalf from where? 😃

[@Rayquaza894]

Gamescape is the BEST tcg/ boardgame shop in the bay area

[@mcsegobia]

Too bad you didn't get to Black Diamond in Concord, probably the best store in the East Bay

[@IanGilmore]

The table of contents dropped Gamescape for some reason, and it's "Games Of Berkeley", not "Games at Berkeley".

[@jessecortezmusic]

Hit up Dogpatch Games in San Francisco!

[@Chris3s]

How long does it take with public transport to go from one side to the other there?

[@sirreginaldjohnston]

BART is in a dire situation I would say atleast 2 hours to get from San Jose to Marin

[@Chris3s]

@@sirreginaldjohnston thanks, so I guess quite a big area then

[@feldmanjb]

Santa Clara to Marin is really far. Like almost San Diego to Los Angeles or Philadelphia to New York. It's a big area

[@Chris3s]

@@feldmanjb I meant the area that they have traveled, kinda like the biggest distance from one store to another in that bay area

[@MochenLiuUX]

​@@feldmanjb What? No... It's not that far....

[@kene6954]

Did you just re-use an old Gamescape photo for the thumbnail?

[@ericvazquez5141]

The fact that you didn't even talk about the North Bay is disappointing. At least 3 great game stores up here. Keanu Reeves legit visited one in Santa Rosa....

[@RonBelloComedy]

It’s called Games OF Berkeley!!!!!

[@ashtonwu7760]

Oh my goodness. I think I’ve just Mandelad myself on what the name is… will have to put a pinned comment