Visiting San Francisco for the first time in 19 years, I made it a mission to find a game store…read more The closest one was about a mile away, so I walked from The Clancy in SoMa with one goal: buy the new 2024 D&D Monster Manual. That's my rule: if I step into a game or comic shop, I have to buy something. It's a hard habit to break at this point. From the outside, the store looks massive -like it might contain the multiverse. But once inside, the retail selection isn't quite as big as it appeared to be. BUT... it's got great stuff. Solid board game options. Plenty of space for RPGs and card games. It's the kind of store that's clearly built around social gatherings and play. Spacious and not cramped. A rare find in a city setting. There's an upstairs and downstairs, but those seemed more dedicated to table games you can meet up and play rather than shopping, so I didn't explore too much. The staffer working was friendly and helpful. She even checked if they had the new Monster Manual. Unfortunately, they didn't. That was a letdown. I mean, it's been out for months. If a game store doesn't carry the NEW core D&D books, especially right after a new edition drops, it stings a bit. They had plenty of the original 5e, but not the new. Still, I wasn't leaving empty-handed. Picked up a slick set of dice and the softcover Pathfinder 2E Monster Core Pocket Edition. Gotta support the cause. Overall? I'm glad I found the place. It's a real hangout spot. Honestly, throw in some coffee and comfy chairs, and I'd post up there for hours. Coffee and dice----- it just works right? Note: The 5-stars is a soft 5 because it really doesn't deserve a 4. I just wasn't floored and wowed by the place in general. 4.5 would be perfect. But a 5 it is DESPITE they didn't have what I came to get.

Diana has curated a really awesome space for nerds, particularly those who love Warhammer, D&D, and…read moreMagic: the Gathering. This is a great gathering space to hang out and do nerd stuff. So far I've only shown up to do painting night (with a completely unrelated craft project, cuz I was accompanying my partner), and everyone I've met through the store's (very organized) Discord server has been lovely and inviting. Diana was also happy to let me know about their weekly D&D night. Only con is probably that if you're more interested in the board games side of games, there's a decent but relatively small selection compared to other game stores in the area. But I'll definitely keep coming back for the warm service and cool community.

I like exploring around San Francisco . On my Summer stroll of the Embarcadero I landed at one of…read moremy favorite places to go since I was a child, the Exploratorium. In my formative years the Exploratorium was located in the Marina at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.The Exploratorium always had a fun science magic atmosphere since taking bag lunch field trips. Now as an adult I go to the Nightlife events the Exploratorium offers at the Embarcadero After Dark as the science drops with the drinks and music by the water. In the daytime I do like to do a pit stop at the Exploratorium store to browse and shop as my curiosity takes over. One thing which I still have is a pair of math dice. I use to carry these dice and create dice games to play at events and gatherings. This store has a bit of everything from books like the Drunken Botanist to the San Francisco 1000 piece puzzle ( my new favorite). This place be dropping the science for people of all ages. There is something for anyone who wants to explore the arts and sciences. A great Edutainment store experience at the Exploratorium at Pier 15. This is the place for fun and games that STEM from exploration. A place in San Francisco that's terrific next to the Ocean in the Pacific Piers 15 to be specific a place explore the arts and get scientific

The exploratorium store was a cool spot with a huge range of gifts to get. It is the gift shop to…read morethe Exploratorium. I liked the black sand exhibit at the Exploratorium and asked the sales associate there for some. She was very happy and eager to lead the way to the black sand. They also have a bunch of other cool tacky stuff to buy from a test tube glass tea diffuser to crystal rocks. A jar of black sand was $9.72 which I thought was a fair price to pay.

Had a fun time exploring here with a friend while walking around in SF japantown! It's such a…read morewhimsical and small shop filled with gacha machines from popular fandoms like Hello Kitty, Tamagotchi, and anime! They have niche machines like rings, foods, and so much more. Everything is self service with a credit card/money slot machine that only accepts $12 at a time. NO change is given if you pay cash, so please use the exact amount. Each token is $3 so a $12 purchase gives you 4 tokens. Each slot machine has an indicator of where it needs 2 or 3 tokens. They also have a great photobooth for your pulls! Definitely go to this place if you love gacha machines!

It's similar to the other Bandai Gachapon locations that I've seen all over, but it does have an…read moreadded feature of the photobooths. There's a Bleach one outside and a Fruits Basket one inside, as well as another fancier one inside, though I didn't get to see what it exactly was. Like the other Gacha set ups, there is also a photo area for you to take pictures of your new little figures in, so that's neat as well. I'm going to say that what I've seen here is mostly what I have seen all over SoCal at the Bandai locations, at Shibuyala, Mitsuwa, etc. so it's not THAT unique, but there are a few machines that I have not seen such as a bottle clip that was a pair of glasses among some other things. I believe you can use these tokens at other Gachapon locations, so keep 'em if you don't want to use them all here. Also know that on busier days this place gets super packed! Also see if you can trade with others if you have a specific one you'd like too!

I've been coming to Classic Materials for years! When they were in Tanforan Mall and now Stonestown…read moreGalleria. This store is tucked in the mall on the 2nd floor not too far from the Food Court and Target. They have a great selection of Sports Memorabilia, Funko Pops, Hot Wheels, collector cards, toys and more. I specifically like going there for their collectors items. I even remember meeting Klay Thompson and other Golden State Warriors current and past players when they used to be at Tanforan Mall. The team working at this store is great, especially DJ who is very helpful and knowledgeable of the products he sells The store gets fairly busy, however, DJ is always attentive to his customers and makes it a point to help the customers find what they want/need. The store is very clean and organized. The prices there are reasonable and I never leave the store without making a purchase! Never found myself dissatisfied with any of their items! Highly recommended! My kids love going here too! 5 stars!

Resealed packs. I…read morebought a White Flare (JP) and Team Rocket (JP) booster box and found that two cards belonged to the Terastal Festival collection I don't have video proof of opening these boxes. These were the first boxes I've ever bought and opened them with some friends, but when I put them in a scanner neither original collection showed up. Thought it was an error, did some googling on these cards and the serial numbers - Terastal. If they respond, they'll call me out for lying - I have no reason to do so. In my lifetime I've now opened four boxes and two were resealed, apparently

If you love fairies, you must come here! They have many wonderful gifts for fairy lovers. I…read moreenjoyed looking at the beautiful artwork of some and picked up a cool fairy calendar for my friend. A fairy collector's dream store.

Fairyland is one of those stores I can sit in and covet all day. Everything is so charming and…read moreunique. I haven't been in here since my trip to northern California a fews year ago but my memory of this little boutique at Fisherman's Wharf is still pretty vivid. How can I forget it? Whoever decorated this shop did a lovely job and paid a great deal of attention to detail. It's very whimsical and seems almost forest-like. The shop is full of art books, trinkets, figurines, collectibles, , and more. If you're looking for a gift for a fantasy lover, this is the place to shop. It's one of those really niche shops like the Sword in the Stone boutique at the Glendale Galleria. The shop lady was also very kind in letting me take as many pictures as I wanted. I'd come back to Pier 39 just to revisit this shop!

They had a great selection of TCGs and were super helpfully answering questions and finding product.read more

A neighborhood treasure! I love the outdoor seating in their parklet. Some of the private game…read morerooms inside are so cute. I love the posters and decor. It's nerdy, homey, tasteful, fun, and relevant to their clientele. Bathroom is clean. Service is funny and helpful and thoughtful. So many games! I love that they show local SF happenings on the front desk.

Unique store with space for mingling. Great concept…read more Love the little game store. Very family friendly. Packed with fun stuff. Looks like owner maybe runs the place? Either way - great to have somebody that cares about the place.

Terrible customer services. Sorry to inconvenience you from your sour patch kids to buy a card from…read moreyour case. Short and smug on the phone call you took while I was there as well. When asking a simple question like "could you do better on the price?" Without even looking it up or considering my question I was hit with an immediate NO. Would have loved to spend my money at a small shop like this but I'll just take my business elsewhere that values its customers.

James is a sommelier for comics…read more He will always have suggestions for what you like and will not disappoint. One of kind shop - go! Wonderful selection and always friendly.

Owner was friendly to chat with as he was very knowledgeable and had stories about interactions…read morewith various writers and artists. He had even heard of my LCBS I go to as we were from out of state visiting . Based on what I told him my current favorites were, he provided a couple of recommendations for me to look into. There was a good selection as I was able to find a few issues I was having trouble finding at my LCBS.