"How is the Historical Gaming scene in the Bay Area?" Topic

I'm moving to the Bay Area over the summer and I'd like to hook into any historical gaming action that might be going on. Any active stores? clubs? basements?

-S

Do you mean the San Francisco Bay Area? I'm guessing there are probably other Bay areas too.

The SF Bay Area is so big, there are about 3-4 different clubs to cover it. But they all have a historical gaming well represented.

For stores, Game Kastle in Santa Clara & Fremont, & End Game in Oakland, all have good stock & big play areas.

& I live 2 hours away from SF in Central California, so I know there's a lot more I haven't heard about.

Depends on what sort of games. I'm up in Vacaville, which is about 45 minutes north from San Fransico, more like an hour and a half with traffic. Theres a store here, Forgotten Path, which we play mostly Sudan/Zulu historcal games at. Sometimes we do Flames of War and we are currently working on All Quiet on the Martian Front. Thats two of us. I know a few others who come and play In Her Majesty's Name from time to time but mostly the scene is Warmachine and Dreadball. And Magic, but I don't talk about that.

Since in my experience Bay Area has almost always meant the San Francisco Bay (yes, I've lived in other areas with bays but they had other common names), I'm assuming that's what you mean. So, if so, just go hear and start whatever conversation you want:

link

Lots of friendly and helpful folks – and plenty of history. As above, there are groups in the east bay. Vacaville is actually inland, last town in the Sacramento Valley before heading up into the hills that surround the bay (mostly). There is also a group up in the north bay, all the way up in Santa Rosa. And if you care to drive up to Sacramento there is a pretty active historical gaming community. And there is a smaller group around Fresno – and various gamers north, south and, between in the valley.

There are also several conventions through the year that all include to a greater or lesser degree historical miniatures. I recommend you plan on attending the Pacificon Gaming Convention in September in San Jose. The man who runs the miniatures room does a great job of getting games in.

Only big challenge I see is the true graying of the hobby around here. Very pronounced. But there is some younger blood. And as to periods played, you name it and you should be able to find it.

Thanks for the feedback. Yes I meant th San Francisco Bay Area. I'll be living on the Peninsula.

S

Welcome to the area! What's your gaming flavor of choice?From the Peninsula you have a couple of great game stores, and a few active gaming groups.

There's a small store in San Mateo called Gator Games, mostly RPGs, boardgames and fantasy/scifi, but a little bit of historical. gatorgames.com

The main stores are Game Kastle in Santa Clara near the San Jose Airport and another location in Fremont. The store in Santa Clara has a very active gaming community, lots of table space, and you can find a wide range of people playing historical to fantasy/scifi, etc. gamekastle.com

And the South Bay Gamers Club meets every 2nd Saturday of the month in Saratoga off of Hwy 85), primarily historical: link

There's also a game shop in Oakland with an active gaming community called End Game (http://www.endgameoakland.com/), and in the East Bay in Concord, Black Diamond Games is expanding with a large gaming center (http://www.blackdiamondgames.com/)

And as mentioned, the two main game cons are Pacificon on Labor Day (http://www.pacificongameexpo.com/) and Kublacon (
on Memorial Day (http://www.kublacon.com/)

I live down in San Jose and agree that Game Kastle would be your best. I believe there are a few groups that play Field of Glory and Saga on a regular basis there. There are also folks like myself that don't have a regular groups, but are into historical gaming and have figures.

What periods/game systems are you looking for?

Chris