About us
Golden Gate Gamemakers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that brings together board game creators and players in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Together we run 200+ events a year all over the Bay Area, including: San Francisco, San Jose, Berkeley, Oakland, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Dublin, Fremont, Santa Cruz, Mill Valley, Petaluma, Concord, Mountain View, and more!
We support playtesting, co-working, promotional, and educational opportunities for tabletop gamemakers, as well as interested players. Help local designers make great games and have fun doing it!
Whether you are a first time or veteran game designer, industry professional, tabletop game enthusiast, casual player, or just want to check things out, we welcome you to our events and are happy to share our knowledge.
If you have any questions, please message @Velgus or your event host, or contact through our website.
Our Code of Conduct:
Code of Conduct - Living Document
Our Website:
Golden Gate Gamemakers
Our Discord:
Golden Gate Gamemakers
Featured event
Game Market West | Fall 2026 | Tabletop Games
Game Market West is a tabletop game market where independent designers show off and sell their newest board/card games. Featuring 35+ designers and specialty vendors, this is one of the biggest indie game markets in the country! Peter C. Hayward is the special guest, designer of games such as Critter Kitchen, Things in Rings, and many more games.
Free and open to the public to attend. Free street parking, and paid lot/garages nearby.
List of games available for reservation and purchase in person.
- Browse and Buy - dozens of super creative limited-run games.
- Enjoy the GMW Play Zone - a casual table area where you can play your purchased games immediately and play drop-in sessions of other locally made games.
- Learn How Games are Made - Meet local designers and chat with our friendly volunteers. We're happy to share our knowledge about game making and working in the industry.
- Hangout Afterwards! - At 3pm Guildhouse opens for regular business hours, no charge to attend. Immediately following GMW, there will be a designer hangout from 3pm onwards where designers and any other interested can co-work, run playtests, network, do open gaming, and socialize.
Hungry for more than just games? The venue may be serving food and drinks. There are also many quick service restaurants within a couple blocks, and outside food is also allowed.
Sponsors
- Allplay: Publishing games that are approachable and easy to learn, but are still strategic and make you want to play over and over again.
- The Op Games: Creating board games and puzzles that bring family and friends together!
- Golden Gate Gamemakers: Bringing together board game designers and playtesters in the San Francisco Bay Area as a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Upcoming events
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PacifiCon Game Expo - Board Game Con and Protospiel
Santa Clara Marriott, 2700 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA, USPacificon Game Expo is a board game convention that runs all sorts of game-related and geeky events, along with a plentiful game library and open gaming space, with a great community vibe.
Of special note to this group is the Protospiel board game playtesting area running every day of the convention! This is your chance to try new board / card / tabletop games in development, get feedback on your own prototypes, and get advice on the game industry. Designers and interested players welcome, no experience needed. Drop in and out anytime.
Cost: You must have a Pacificon Day or Weekend Pass to enter the convention. Protospiel participation is no additional cost.
Location: Santa Clara Marriott - 2700 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, California, 95054. Protospiel is in California Ballroom 1-3.
Protospiel Participation: Any designers and interested players are welcome to attend the Protospiel, no experience needed.
Designers can run their prototypes of tabletop games on any open tables. Tables are generally not reserved and not exclusive - designers are expected to share table access with other designers throughout the con. There may be some scheduled playtests that were submitted online through the convention website well in advance. Prototypes can be in any stage. Playtesting is the focus, don't run games that are finished or not open to changes. Event staff reserve the right to exclude prototypes that are deemed inappropriate or offensive.
Players can hop in any games that interest them. This is your chance to see creative new ideas and make an impact on their gameplay. As an extra incentive, players can win sweet raffle prizes.
Protospiel Team: Scott Caputo and Glenn Cotter
13 attendees
Board Game Playtesting at Crooked Goat Brewing Petaluma - 1st Mondays
Crooked Goat Brewing, 110 Howard St, Petaluma, CA, USCome to Crooked Goat Brewing in Petaluma every 1st and 3rd Mondays to playtest some games in development! (there is a separate meetup post for both 1st Mondays and 3rd Mondays)
This is a relaxed chance to try new board / card / tabletop games, get feedback on your own prototypes, and learn about the game industry. Designers and interested players welcome, no experience needed.
Please be courteous to other designers and stay to test their games if you are bringing your own prototype to be tested.
Drop in and out any time and participate as much as you'd like, and just observing is fine too. RSVPing is appreciated but not required.
Organizer: Jestin Brooks
- COST - Free! However you are encouraged to buy some of their delicious food and drinks.
- PARKING - They have parking at the taproom and in front of the City Hall lawn on English Street. There is also lots of nearby free parking in the Keller Street Parking Garage.
See GGG's full code of conduct here.
Up-to-date details and our many other events can be found at meetup.com/playgoldengate
4 attendees
Board Game Playtesting at Peoples Coffee in Santa Cruz
People's Coffee, 1200 17th Ave #130, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, Santa Cruz, CA, USCome to Peoples Coffee, the official Santa Cruz location for the Southmost events for the Golden Gate Gamemakers! Come join us as a branch under GGG known as Game Designers of Santa Cruz!
Watch what our events look like here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/uej75sUopbgDt6QF8
It's a relaxed chance to try new board games and card games, get feedback on your own prototypes if you are a game designer, and get advice on the games industry. New designers and interested players welcome!
Please be courteous to other designers and stay to test their games if you are bringing your prototype to be tested.
Note to Designers: If you are bringing a game to test, please write in the comments of this event what the game is, play time, and player count wanted!
We run a small raffle at 8pmthru the sign in sheet each night for participants to win new and used board game prizes.
Peoples Coffee is generously keeping all services of food and drink available from 6pm to 9pm! They normally close at 5:30. Thank you Peoples Coffee! For all of our events at Peoples, affogatos (ice cream and espresso) are half off!
We now have a Game Library located inside Peoples for anyone to use any time they are open!
Cost
This is a completely free event! Attendees are encouraged to buy some delicious drinks and food from Peoples Coffee.Parking
You can park in the main parking lot in front of Peoples Coffee. There is a also side parking behind Peoples, and around the residential area. You are also free to park across the street near Salsas Taco Bar.See GGG's full code of conduct here.
Up-to-date details and our many other events can be found at meetup.com/playgoldengate
Point of contact and organizer: Courtney Laschkewitsch
5 attendees
Board Game Playtesting at Gamelandia Palo Alto
Gamelandia, 290 California Ave suite a, Palo Alto, CA, USCome to Gamelandia in Palo Alto to playtest some games in development! This event happens 2nd Thursdays.
It's a relaxed chance to try new board games and card games, get feedback on your own prototypes, and get advice on the games industry. New designers and interested players welcome.
Please be courteous to other designers and stay to test their games if you are bringing your prototype to be tested. If you are bringing a prototype game, try to comment below with a quick blurb including player count and time, and when you think you might arrive at Gamelandia.
ex. "Ticket to Ride is a lightweight game about building train routes. 2-5 players, 30-60 minutes"
Organizer: John Brieger
Cost: Free!
See GGG's full code of conduct here.
Up-to-date details and our many other events can be found at meetup.com/playgoldengate
2 attendees
Past events
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