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Play is important for kids and adults. Playing helps children develop their cognitive, emotional and behavioral skills and helps adults relieve stress, stimulate creativity and enhance social connections. With so many benefits, making time for play is crucially important, and we’re here to help you find the best places to do exactly that.
Here are eight businesses (plus one opening soon) devoted to games that we visited around Silicon Valley. From board game cafes to escape rooms, pinball to putt-putt, there is something for everyone when it’s time to play on the Peninsula!
Next Level Board Game Cafe, Mountain View
In November 2023, Next Level Board Game Cafe opened just off of Castro Street in downtown Mountain View. Next Level is the brainchild of owners Rebecca Wang and Sean Forman, who shared that they “love games and wanted to create a community space where people could gather to play and socialize.” The cafe caters to a mix of families and regulars, including many experienced and avid board game players. They have already become a favorite of larger groups like birthday parties and corporate outings and have also hosted a school field trip.
Next Level is still gearing up operations. They currently offer some drinks and snacks and plan on expanding the food menu and adding beer and wine soon. The location is ideal for pre- or post-meal gaming since it is walking distance from the many varied dining options on Castro Street.
The library of games here is massive and runs the gamut from basic card games to serious immersive role-playing games. Wang and Forman are happy to teach guests new games, and there are many scheduled group play events listed on the website that give game players an opportunity to connect with other local gamers. There is also a chess club and plans for a bridge club soon. The cost to play is $7 per person and includes access to the entire library of games.
Next Level Board Game Cafe, 888 Villa St., Mountain View; 650-564-3352,
Instagram: @nextlevelboardgamecafe.
Full Hearts Arcade and Eats, Half Moon Bay
Located in downtown Half Moon Bay, Full Hearts Arcade and Eats opened in August 2023. It is a family-operated business owned by David Steven Griffin and his wife Natalia Griffin. The kitchen is run by Natalia’s sister and offers an eclectic mix of pub-style food like fish and chips, burgers and carne asada fries. Along with food, Full Hearts serves wine, agave wine margaritas and beer, including a tap dedicated to Coastside craft brew favorites Hop Dogma.
Due to the location, the clientele is a mix of locals and tourists. Full Hearts hosts groups and birthday parties, and it’s becoming a prime location for family outings and date nights. A large patio area leads into the game room. Inside there are many pinball machines, which make Full Hearts a favorite of pinball aficionados. David is a serious pinball player, which was part of his motivation in opening Full Hearts. “Pinball is great because it is social, competitive and accessible to everyone,” he said.
Besides pinball machines there is a selection of arcade games. The games are token-based and award tickets that can be exchanged for prizes like candy and toys. Game prices vary.
Full Hearts Arcade and Eats, 328 Main St., Suites 101 and 102, Half Moon Bay; 650-912-2030, Instagram: @fullheartsarcadehmb.
Plucky’s Cafe, Burlingame
Plucky’s Cafe opened in April on Broadway in Burlingame. It’s a game room and cafe opened by former software engineer and San Mateo resident Michelle Slaughter, who shared that she left her job and opened Plucky’s because she “hated staring at screens all day and loves board games.”
There is a broad selection of games to be played here; some are for kids, but most of the games are geared toward adults. If you are interested in learning a new game Slaughter and staff will gladly teach you. There are also Saturday night events that feature different games and offer attendees a chance to socialize with other avid game players. The cost to play is $7 per person before 4 p.m. After 4 p.m. it’s $15 or free with the purchase of a meal.
Coffee beans are sourced from Soul Grind Roasters in Pacifica and are used as the base for many of Plucky’s own specialty beverages. The cafe menu includes favorites like avocado toast and overnight oats along with the most popular smoked kielbasa plate. They plan on offering beer, cider and wine in the near future.
Plucky’s Cafe, 1352 Broadway, Burlingame; Instagram: @pluckys_cafe.
HyperSpace Los Altos
HyperSpace opened in February 2022 on the edge of downtown Los Altos. This is the first location on the list that doesn’t serve food and drinks, but it’s a short walk from the many restaurants that line the downtown streets. Even though the entertainment is kid-focused, there is plenty for adults as well as space to unwind. “The outside patio area is a great space for adults to relax while their kids enjoy the games,” said general manager Scott Peltz.
The arcade is noticeably modern, with bigger and flashier games than most neighborhood arcades. In addition to the arcade games there is a pool table, air hockey table and small carousel. The upstairs boasts private karaoke rooms, a VR space and big screens for community gaming.
Prices vary for the different entertainment options. The arcade games use card-based tokens with deals starting at $20 uploads, and resulting tickets can be used in exchange for prizes.
HyperSpace Los Altos, 127 1st St., Los Altos; 650-383-5749, Instagram: @hyperspacelosaltos.
Tipsy Putt, Sunnyvale
“Drink Local, Putt Tipsy” is the motto of Tipsy Putt, a mini-golf experience featuring craft beer and casual Mexican fare. There are five locations in Northern California and the newest location opened in November 2023 in Sunnyvale. Tipsy Putt was designed with adults in mind but welcomes all ages until 6 p.m. There is a large bar area frequented by regulars along with an extensive amount of seating that caters to team-building events, birthday parties and other group gatherings.
Manager Leo Maltos says the Sunnyvale Tipsy Putt “fills a recreational niche in the area and is a place for community fun.” Maltos added that “along with the games, people visit for the large selection of local craft beer and interesting tacos, such as tikka masala and pork belly.” If you prefer mixed drinks there is a special “Caddyshack” themed speakeasy in the back.
There is a myriad of entertainment options at Tipsy Putt, including mini-golf, duffleboard, cornhole, board games and the most popular game: 1-2 Putt. Unlimited games are offered for $29 per person and membership options start at $95 per year. There are also free board games like Jenga and UNO available if you prefer to stay seated while sipping your craft beer.
Tipsy Putt, 301 W McKinley Ave. #150, Sunnyvale; 408-420-6229, Instagram: @tipsyputtsv.
Red Door Escape Room, San Mateo
One of the few national chains on the list, Red Door Escape Room has a location at Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo. They currently have 18 locations nationwide and are expanding. Red Door’s popularity stems from “having the coolest props and offering an immersive experience that has a connected storyline through the episodes,” according to manager Chad Hawkins.
Food and drinks aren’t offered at this location, but Hillsdale Mall’s food court is located just a few steps away. There are also several sit-down restaurant options, including Palette Tea Garden and The Refuge located just below Red Door’s second-floor location.
Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged for parties with two to eight people. Red Door caters to an eclectic clientele, including church groups, corporate groups, birthday parties and couples looking for a unique date night experience. The escape rooms are family-friendly, and children 6 and younger enter for free. (However, Hawkins said that “most kids can start really participating in the puzzles at around 8 years old.”)
There are six different escape rooms to choose from with various difficulty levels, the most popular being the crime-themed “Prison Break” room and the fantasy-themed “Once Upon a Time” room. All games are supervised by employees in a control center that watch over the games and help when needed. A standard 60-minute game is $44.95 per person, and there are quick play and group rates available.
Red Door Escape Room, 90 Hillsdale Mall, San Mateo; 650-458-3025, Instagram: @reddoorescape_sanmateo.
State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria, Los Altos
In the heart of downtown Los Altos you will find another arcade, but this one has a decidedly vintage vibe. State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria opened in 2017 with the mission to offer top quality pizza, California craft beer and an arcade area for kids to play while their parents hang out. This idea came from the owners, brothers Andrew and Lars Smith, who drew from their own experience of growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s and visiting former local spots Aladdin’s Castle and The Boardwalk in Mountain View.
The food at State of Mind includes an array of appetizers, burgers and salads with dressings made from scratch. But the main focus is the award-winning pizzas baked with housemade dough and fresh shredded cheese. State of Mind also offers a limited amount of square Sicilian-style “Grandma Pies” each week, which should be tried if available. The beer taps are filled with options from the best craft breweries in the Bay Area, and the staff is on hand to help you find the right one.
The arcade includes a mix of rotating pinball machines and classic arcade games. The games use reloadable cards that don’t expire, and price per game varies. There aren’t any tickets to be won here since the arcade is focused on entertainment as opposed to prizes.
State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria, 101 Plaza N, Los Altos; 650-383-5210,
Instagram: @stateofmindpub.
Sandbox VR, San Mateo
Located on the opposite end of Hillsdale Mall is another large gaming chain, this one originating from Hong Kong. Sandbox VR offers a state-of-the-art virtual reality experience and opened in San Mateo in 2017. The San Mateo location is one of the busiest in the country. Walk-ins are welcome, but store manager Christian Garcia suggests that groups try to book a week in advance.
The Hillsdale Mall food court and restaurants are a short walk from Sandbox, but they also sell Japan Crate snack boxes on-site. For larger groups outside catering is an option as well.
There are currently eight different games available and four rooms to play in. There is no age limit, but players must be at least 4 feet tall. On any given day there is a mix of families, friends and corporate groups strapping on the headsets and immersing themselves in a virtual world. The most-played game is the zombie-shooting “Deadwood Valley” that came out in 2022. “Squid Games” was released last year and has also been very popular. Most experiences are $55 per person and last 30 minutes. Detailed instructions are provided beforehand, and players can watch free videos of themselves afterwards.
Sandbox VR, 60 E 31st Ave. #2044, San Mateo; 650-437-5285, Instagram: @sandboxvr.
GAMA Ride, San Mateo
GAMA Ride plans on opening its new location at the Bridgepointe Shopping Center in San Mateo in mid-June. The company was started 13 years ago by Hossein Yavari, an immigrant from Iran that had a dream of providing a place for families to gather and have fun. He started with two rides and a couple of bounce houses in Belmont before moving to the Tanforan Mall in San Bruno.
Hossein’s son, Parsa Yavari, now helps run the day-to-day operations. He said that “business at the mall has slowed down significantly” and they knew it was time to find a new location. They were interested in the space behind the Nazareth Ice Oasis for years, ever since the Hokkaido Seafood buffet closed almost a decade ago. They recently worked out a long-term lease with the landlords and are gearing up for their grand opening this summer.
Food will focus on primarily American fare like burgers, onion rings, mozzarella sticks and flatbread pizzas. There will be beer, wine and hard seltzer available along with sodas and juices. The dining area will feature large screen TVs and showcase sports, including big boxing fights and UFC matches.
The space is massive and will include games for young children, high-end arcade games and immersive rides. Game credits and tickets will all be stored on a reusable game card, and tickets can be redeemed for a large selection of prizes. The upstairs will offer pinball machines, pool tables, shuffleboard and mini bowling alleys. Prices will vary depending on games, and GAMA Ride will offer party packages.
GAMA Ride, 2200 Bridgepointe Parkway, San Mateo; 650-837-9404, Instagram: @gamarideinc.
More places to play:
–Gamelandia, a game and hobby store in Palo Alto, hosts regular events focused on board games, “Yu-Gi-Oh!” and more.
–Golfland is a longtime mini-golf destination with an arcade in Sunnyvale.
–Illusive Comics & Games in Santa Clara hosts events featuring the “Pokémon” card game, teaching visitors how to play “Dungeons and Dragons,” game prereleases and more.
–Off the Rails Brewing Company in Sunnyvale hosts board game nights on Tuesdays, chess night games on Wednesdays and has an upcoming Gaminpalooza June 23.
–The Retro Fix II TURBO in Campbell is a video game and anime collectible shop with a game lounge that serves refreshments Friday through Sunday.