Gamelandia

About Gamelandia

Gamelandia is a tabletop game store at 290 California Avenue, Suite A, on the California Avenue shopping street in Palo Alto. It describes itself as "an inclusive tabletop game store and community hub" where players of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels are welcome. The store says its aim is to inspire joy through human connection. In practice that means two things under one roof: a shop full of games to take home and tables where people sit down and play.

The store's website does not name its owners or give an opening year. It does say Gamelandia won TCGplayer's 2024 Hobby Store of the Year award. Its play rooms carry hand-painted murals by local and nationally known artists.

What the store sells

The shelves cover most corners of the hobby. Categories named on the store's website include:

• Board games: strategy, classics, party, family, cooperative and kids' games.
• Trading card games: Magic: The Gathering, including Commander decks and singles, plus Pokemon, One Piece, Lorcana, Riftbound, Star Wars Unlimited and Digimon.
• Role-playing games: Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder.
• Miniatures: Games Workshop and BattleTech.
• Everything else: puzzles, plushies, toys, hobby supplies, tarot decks, books and gifts. Gift cards are sold too.

Stock changes quickly in card games as new sets arrive, so check the website or call if you are after a particular release.

Open play and events

Open play is the heart of the place. Visitors can pick from a library of more than 600 games and play them in the store. Tables can be booked online. The store also posts an event calendar for organized play.

Events listed by the store include tournaments, play-testing and learn-to-play sessions. Adults will find weekly trading card game nights, board game nights and Dungeons and Dragons campaigns. The store says its regional tournaments draw players from across the state. A flyer on the home page in October 2026 advertised a Casual Commander night for Magic players on Saturday evenings, for ages 13 and up. Formats and nights change, so the calendar is the place to check.

Kids programs and parties

Gamelandia runs after-school and summer programs. The store names Kids D&D, Kids Magic: The Gathering and a Pokemon Jr. League, plus Learn to Play sessions for Pokemon and Magic. Camp and after-school registration goes through ActivityHero, linked from the store's camps page.

For birthdays and other gatherings, the store rents private rooms. Its rentals page lists two rooms. The Space Room seats 20 and has a mural by local artist Morgan Bricca. The Big Room seats 32 and has a mural by Graham Yarrington. Renters can use the full game library. Staff will help pick games but do not teach them. You may bring your own food, though not alcohol, since the store has no liquor license. Drinks and packaged snacks are for sale. Bookings start with an inquiry form and are confirmed once the invoice is paid. The store offers a refund, less card fees, up to 48 hours before the event.

Who Gamelandia suits

The store works for several kinds of visitors. Families can try a game before buying it, which takes the guesswork out of a gift. Card players get a local place for weekly play and tournaments. Groups planning a party get a room with games included. Newcomers are clearly part of the plan too, with learn-to-play sessions and staff who will suggest games. If you just want to buy a game and go, the shop side works like any other store.

Tips for visiting

• Text first. The store lists its number as one you can text, which is handy for quick stock questions.
• Late hours. From Tuesday to Saturday it stays open until 10 p.m., later than most of the street.
• Go by train. The California Avenue Caltrain station is a short walk away. Our California Avenue guide covers food and coffee nearby for a break between games.
• Sunday market. The California Avenue farmers market runs on Sundays year-round. See our farmers markets guide to combine the two.
• Family day. For more ideas with children, read our Palo Alto with kids guide.

Location and getting there

Gamelandia is at 290 California Avenue, Suite A, Palo Alto, CA, in the California Avenue area of Palo Alto. Our California Avenue guide covers what else is around.

The California Avenue Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.

Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).

Hours

Hours from the business's own website, checked October 29, 2026.

What is nearby

• Tamayo’s Judo, studio or gym, under 0.1 mi
• Bistro Elan, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
• Bar Underdog, bar, under 0.1 mi
• Silicon Valley Fit, studio or gym, under 0.1 mi
• Pure Barre, studio or gym, under 0.1 mi
• Bowden Park, 0.2 mi
• Peers Park, 0.3 mi
• College Terrace Library, 0.4 mi

Other books, gifts, art and specialty shops nearby: Christian Science Reading Room (0.2 mi); AT&T El Camino Real (0.3 mi); Verizon El Camino Real (0.4 mi); Gryphon Stringed Instruments (0.6 mi). Browse the full books, gifts, art and specialty shops list.

Before you go

• Hours for small shops can change with the seasons and holidays. Check before making a special trip.
• Many independent shops will order items they do not have in stock. Just ask at the counter.
• Gift wrapping is often available, especially around the holidays.

About this listing

Checked October 29, 2026 against Gamelandia official website; About Gamelandia; Rentals and parties. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions