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 | Spring 2026 | Tabletop Games
Special Guest: Matt Leacock will meet fans and sign games from 10 AM to 12 PM!
Come join us at Guildhouse to buy and play a wide selection of board/card games! Meet the indie game designers behind these games and check out their available games for purchase (link coming soon). Whether you're a casual player or an enthusiast, there's something here for everyone. In addition, we have a raffle with many games to give away. You can play your newly acquired games in the open play area.
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:
(link coming soon!)
- 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.
Our special guest is Matt Leacock, legendary game designer of games such as Pandemic, Forbidden Island, and Daybreak, who will be saying hi to fans and signing games you bring in.
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.
Upcoming events
195
GDC 2026 Playtest lounge
Moscone Center West, 800 Howard St, San Francisco, CA, US2026 Mini-Protospiel at GDC (March 9-13, 2026)
ABOUT GDC
Game Developers Conference (GDC) is an annual event in San Francisco that brings the game development community together to exchange ideas and shape the industry through five days of education and networking.GOLDEN GATE GAMEMAKERS PARTICIPATION
- GGG is working with Unpub to feature game designers showcasing their works in progress
- Free play area is open all week from 10a - 6p. Local store Gamescape will have a library of games to check out.
- A “Protospiel” section will be available where designers can run their prototypes.
- Other board game events will happen throughout the conference, including the GDC Opening Night Party, where prototypes will also be run.
https://unpub.softr.app/gdc-2026
This is a free event, but just for attendees of GDC (which is not free).
You may buy a discounted badge using the code GGG-10-OFF
or contact vendors to work the show in exchange for badge. Check with Gamescape SF!40 attendees
GGG/BMG Board Game Playtesting! King Kong Games Dublin
King Kong Comics and Games, 6700 Amador Plaza Rd, Dublin, CA, USCome to King Kong Games in Dublin on 2nd Mondays to playtest some games in development! This is co-branded event run by Golden Gate Gamemakers and Break My Games.
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.
Point of contact and organizer: Matt and Zach
- COST - Free! Though please consider buying something from the store if you'd like.
- PARKING - Free and plentiful parking in adjacent lot.
- BART - 7 Minute walk from West Dublin Station.
See GGG's full code of conduct here.
Up-to-date details and our many other events can be found at meetup.com/playgoldengate
6 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!
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.
We run a small raffle thru the sign in sheet each night for participants to win new and used board game prizes.
This is also Peoples Coffees first events they have held! They are generously keeping all services of food and drink available through the entire 6pm to 10pm event! 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 / Travel**
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
20 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
6 attendees
Past events
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