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
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!
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: https://www.gamemarketwest.com/fall-2025-games
- 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.
Special guest is Ryan Goldsberry, the artist for board games such as Burgle Brothers, Paperback, and Fugitive!
Hungry for more than just games? Show up around noon for a slice of delicious pizza provided by our generous sponsor, Pizza Guys (1347 South Winchester Blvd San Jose), while supplies last. Outside food is also allowed.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Board Game Playtesting at Black Diamond Games ConcordBlack Diamond Games, Concord, CA
Come to Black Diamond Games in Concord to playtest some games in development!
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 any time, and leave when you'd like. RSVPing by using the Attend button through Meetup is very appreciated, yet we get walk-ins and those that don't RSVP all the time.
Organizer: Velgus
- COST - The store charges $5 to access their regular Board Game Night. Anyone attending board game night may freely participate as a designer and/or player for Board Game Playtesting being run in the same area upstairs.
- PARKING - Free and plentiful parking in adjacent lot.
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
--This event is usually the second Sat. of every month, but has been delayed to Sept 20th (third Sat.) due to a schedule conflict. Sorry for the inconvenience! --
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.
- Game Market West | Fall 2025 | Tabletop GamesGuildhouse, San Jose, CA
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!
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: https://www.gamemarketwest.com/fall-2025-games
- 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.
Special guest is Ryan Goldsberry, the artist for board games such as Burgle Brothers, Paperback, and Fugitive!
Hungry for more than just games? Show up around noon for a slice of delicious pizza provided by our generous sponsor, Pizza Guys (1347 South Winchester Blvd San Jose), while supplies last. Outside food is also allowed.
- Game Market West - Designer HangoutGuildhouse, San Jose, CA
Immediately following Game Market West is a casual Designer Hangout!
Designers, players, and any other interested can co-work, run and join in playtests, network, do open gaming, and socialize. This is a great chance to relax and have fun, or maybe make some great progress on a game you're working on. Meet local designers and check out the games you didn't have a chance to while being busy the whole market.
No cost to attend this event or be in the venue. Guildhouse will be open to the public from 3pm onwards for regular business hours.
