What we’re about
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
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Board Game Playtesting at Crooked Goat Brewing Petaluma - 1st MondaysCrooked Goat Brewing, Petaluma, CA
Come 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.
- Board Game Playtesting at Victory Point Cafe Berkeley - 1st WednesdaysVictory Point Cafe, Berkeley, CA
Come to Victory Point Cafe in Berkeley to playtest some games in development! This event is twice a month, 1st Wednesdays and 3rd Mondays, and exists as two separate listings on our meetup.
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.
Organizers: Glenn and Velgus
- COST - Participants may pay the regular $12/person reserved gaming fee or waive it by buying at least two menu items from the cafe. Pay or start a tab at the front counter upon entering.
- PARKING - Street meters should be free from 6pm onwards. There is free street parking on the street behind the venue and on surrounding streets during the day and evening.
- BART - Downtown Berkeley BART station is a straight 8-minute walk away.
See GGG's full Code of Conduct here.
Up-to-date details and our many other events can be found at meetup.com/playgoldengate.
- Marin Board Game Designers & Playtesters - Starbucks Strawberry VillageStarbucks, Mill Valley, CA
Whether you're a Meetup member or no, feel free to join! No RSVP required.
Calling all local game designers and cardboard enthusiasts!
New designers and interested players of any skill level welcome.Bring your rough prototypes, rules drafts, hand drawn boards and cards to get them out in front of fellow gamers. Or just bring yourself and a willingness to give some experiments a try!
This is a relaxed space to get concepts out of our heads onto the table and get feedback on what seems to work, what doesn't, and bounce ideas around. Don't expect polished, publisher complete games.
This event is a monthly deadline and opportunity to force myself and anyone interested to get that next iteration tweaked or rules draft done, and to of course have fun!
We meet every second Saturday of the month!
Location: Come to Starbucks, 800 Strawberry Village #205, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (across from Safeway). Plenty of free parking in surrounding lot.
Cost: Free! Though consider buying some delicious drinks and snacks from the venue.
See GGG's full Code of Conduct here.
Up-to-date details and our many other events can be found at meetup.com/playgoldengate.
- Sunday Board Game Playtesting at Game Kastle Redwood CityGame Kastle (Redwood City), Redwood City, CA
Come to Game Kastle in Redwood City to playtest some games in development! This event is twice a month, every two weeks on Sunday 1pm-6pm.
This is a relaxed chance to try new board / card / tabletop games, get feedback on your own prototypes, and get advice on 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 any time, and leave when you'd like. RSVPing by using the Attend button through Meetup is appreciated but not required.
Point of contact and organizer: Andrew, Lucas, Ting
- COST - Free! Though you are encouraged to shop at Game Kastle if you have any gaming needs.
- PARKING - Free plentiful shopping center parking.
See GGG's full Code of Conduct here.
Up-to-date details and our many other events can be found at meetup.com/playgoldengate.
