Need San Francisco gaming info

[MrFilthyIke]

Hi!

In June, I'll be spending a few days in San Fran, and staying at the Union
Square Plaza hotel at 432 Geary Street. I see there is a Games Workshop
store nearby, is that still there? Are there any other gaming stores within
a close walk or cab/trolley/bus ride away? I live in a gaming "swamp", and
am curious as to what's out in San Fran.

Any info with help, respond here, or email me at:

mr_filthy_ike AT hotmail DOT com

Thanks!

Shane

 

[d4]

i moved away from San Fran a few years ago, but the best gaming store i've ever seen is Gamescape on Divisadero. it's between Oak and Page, IIRC.

i've been gone long enough that i can't give you bus directions...

i'm sure Arcady or one of the other Bay Area ENWorlders can give you more options.

 

[Stormborn]

My wife and I went to San Francisco on our Honeymoon in November, we also stayed in Union Square. The Games Workshop place is close, walking distance if you are so inclined. There is a huge Borders in Union Square too BTW, that also has some game books. Gamescape is the way to go for the most variety (we were able to find somethings we hadn't been able to get here in Birmingham, like Shadowfist Cards and Warmachine Minis), and IIRC there is a great comic shop a black away if you are interested in that. We basically just looked up game, hobby, and comic stores in the phone book and used a map and the public transport system to find them. It was really easy. The city is easy to get around in, and the people are very helpful about giving out directions.

So yes, for our honeymoon we went to San Francisco and looked for comic/game stores and resturaunts. It was wonderful.

 

[Drago]

Hello ,

I don't know SF very well, but in the East Bay there is PLENTY of good game shops to visit. The Games of Berkeley is ok, and Endgame in oakland is excellent, to name a few.

TTFN
Drago

 

[MrFilthyIke]

So yes, for our honeymoon we went to San Francisco and looked for comic/game stores and resturaunts. It was wonderful.

I hear you...how many guys are married to a girl who gets excited to find old Traveller or 1ED games, who can be bribed with copies of books by Asimov, and enjoys watching Futurama with me...what can I say, we're nerds of a feather.

It sounds like its easy to find stuff, can't wait to get there.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

I don't know SF very well, but in the East Bay there is PLENTY of good game shops to visit. The Games of Berkeley is ok, and Endgame in oakland is excellent, to name a few.

Thanks, but we're not crossing the bay, just staying near Union Square and then the warf.

 

[Swack-Iron]

The Games Workshop store is in a large, modern shopping area called the Metreon. The Metreon also has several movie theaters including an IMAX screen.

As others have mentioned, Gamescape (located at 333 Divisidero St.) is far and away the best overall game store in San Francisco. Gamescape is a "mom and pop" style store, with locations in San Francisco, Palo Alto, and San Rafael. They carry a very large selection of RPGs, board games, puzzles, and used games.

 

[Drago]

Hey me again,
if you find an itch to go riding BART , it does drop you off right next to Games of Berkeley.
Just to let you know.

Later !

 

[Snapdragyn]

I have to second the suggestion of giving Games of Berkeley a visit.

If you're staying in Union Square, you'd just hop on BART at the Powell St. station (underground right where the cable cars turn around). Be sure to get BART, & not Muni (which is only S.F. local). Ride the Richmond line to the first Berkeley stop (it's right after Ashby). Come up the escalator, cross the main intersection, & you're there. Cost about $6 roundtrip, & with the 10% discount on most items you can easily pay for the trip by... spending money to buy things!

I do like Gamescape, but be aware that most of their items are shrinkwrapped; if you're wanting to look through products with which you're not familiar, that's a problem.

The Games Workshop store is in the Metreon complex (read: techno-modern mall). They're really all um... well, mindblank (more caffeine!), but the big mass battle game. Warhammer? Yeah, think that's it. So no other RPG products, really. There is a comic/novelty store in there, Things from Another World, that has a few D&D books & a few packs of minis -- though you'll find more books at Borders, & many more minis (& 20% off on minis) at Games of Berkeley (Gamescape has minis, too, but full price iirc).

Anyway, hope all of that helps.

Note: I have no pecuniary, social, or other interest in any of the establishments mentioned.

 

[AdvntrGuy]

I've lived in SF for 12 years. GameScape is the only real game store in the City. They’ve got quite an inventory, but it’s not organized very well at all. There are other comic stores around, including one a couple doors down from GameScape, but I’m not a comics guy. GamesWorkshop in Metreon is kinda lame, IMHO.

Games of Berkeley and EndGame in Oakland are worth the BART ride over. Games of Berkeley is right off the Downtown Berkeley BART station, and has a big inventory of books that are well organized. It’s my favorite. EndGame is walkable from Lake Merritt Station, also a great shop. If it’s a foggy day, the weather will be better over there, so you may want to use them as back-up destinations. Plus, a BART ride is a fun SF experience.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

AG