Anyone know a good place to go in or around San Francisco?

[elslasho]

Going to be driving up around San Fran next week and was wondering, game-wise, what I should do there. Are there any good retro shops, arcades, or swap meets that a retro gamer like myself would be interested in? I've read about things on these boards like the San Jose swap meet and a couple stores that sell games, but I need some more recent feedback as to whats good. Thanks in advance!

[hashiriya1]

There is really nothing in San Francisco itself. There are a couple of retro shops in the south and east bay. Are you only going to SF? Bradtemple87 on this site knows a really good place in Concord.

PS. Don't call it "San Fran" when you're here. The locals cringe for some reason when they hear that.

[CRTGAMER]

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 92#p277492

[mjmjr25]

Haight and Ashbury.

Bring - Open Mind.
Leave Behind - Any Form of Identification.

[MrPopo]

It's a bit of a schlep, but if you have a car I'd recommend the Computer History Museum. I was out in San Jose for a wedding back in June and the museum was really fascinating. There's even a section on video games which includes playable demos of Colossal Cave Adventure and Spacewar!

[HellHammer]

I went to a pretty good arcade when I was there a couple years ago. I remember having to go upstairs to get to it, and it being semi sci-fi themed, like robots and broken ships, etc. lining the walls. They had some good machines (couple 80's classics and stuff like Silent Scope) and as well as a whole room of claw machines.


Sound familiar to anyone? Or anyone know if this place is still around?

[Bradtemple87]

The arcade is SF is Southtown, but only go if you like candy cabs and fighting games. They will throw in a few other things as well.

EDIT:

Starbase Arcade is in San Rafael and Gamecenter Arcade is in San Mateo. Arcades are very slim around here and are about 80% fighters and shmups if thats what you like

http://www.southtownarcade.com/
http://www.starbasearcade.com/
http://www.gamecenterarcade.com/

The best retro store I have found so far is Phoenix Games in Concord. The owner keeps lots of impressive things in stock and prices are pretty decent. It is a haul from SF, but a very fun experience.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/phoenix-games-concord

[elslasho]

Ok, will be heading out tomorrow and hopefully be able to drop by most of the places listed on here if my girlfriend has the patience. Thanks for the recommendations everyone!

[dunpeal2064]

If you are near San Jose, check out space cat.

Only store I've ever been in that had a.copy of Border Down and Under Defeat.