Holiday Newsletter
Central Coast Game Community
As we approach the holiday season, one thing becomes abundantly clear—scheduling game days, especially for Dungeons & Dragons, can feel like a real challenge. Between family gatherings, travel plans, and the whirlwind of seasonal events, finding a consistent time for our gaming groups can be tricky. But amid the chaos, one thing remains steady: our local game stores. These community hubs have become invaluable spaces where gamers can count on a reliable place to meet, connect, and share their passion for tabletop games, no matter how hectic the season gets.
I’m incredibly grateful for all the game stores on the Central Coast that create a welcoming third space for us to gather and play. They make it easier to keep our games running smoothly, providing not just products, but a sense of continuity and connection that helps maintain our gaming community, especially during the busy holiday season.
Every year I dedicate the November newsletter to supporting local businesses and creators. If you’re looking for Upcoming Conventions & Events or Local Game Groups to join, you’ll find them toward the bottom of this seasonal issue of the newsletter.
This newsletter is not sponsored by or paid for by any of the reviews within, they are all sincerely my opinions.
Table of Contents
Support Santa Maria Gamers and Level Up Our Community
Local Designer Jay Africa
Poll: Do You Enjoy These Holiday Newsletters?
Support Your Local Game Store During the Holidays
Black Rose Designs
Why In-Person Games Are Better For You
Central Coast Game Clubs (Links)
Upcoming Conventions & Events
Local Creator @Oddeyescreations
Professional Dungeon Masters
Thank You
Support Santa Maria Gamers and Level Up Our Community!
The Santa Maria Valley Adventurers League is on a mission to bring the joy of tabletop gaming to even more people in our region. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity, we rely on your support to help us create a thriving gaming community. Your purchase of our exclusive merch will directly support our efforts to:
Build a board game library that offers a wide range of games for all ages.
Organize special events like conventions that bring people together.
Purchase Adventure League modules for our club’s exciting campaigns.
Improve our community outreach to provide gaming opportunities to more people.
Provide financial aid for members to attend local events like PolyCon.
Keep bottled water stocked for all our events.
Show appreciation for our dedicated volunteers with RPG books and other benefits.
By buying our merch, you're not just getting a cool item for yourself—you're helping us create a lasting impact on the gaming community. Together, we can make Santa Maria a better place for gamers of all kinds.
Thank you for your support and for helping us reach our goals!
Local Designer Jay Africa
Jay Africa, a multi-talented designer, writer, supporter of the gaming communities on the Central Coast, and the greater Los Angeles area just published a new D&D adventure (Crashing Waves & Crushing Depths) on DMsGuild. I had the great joy of playtesting this adventure and can say it was a lot of fun, and featured a unique racing mechanic for the adventure’s triathlon-style seafaring games. I am frequently on the receiving end of sage advice provided by this veteran of the D&D community and am thrilled to promote his adventure. Please support Jay and designers like him this holiday season by purchasing community-created content on DMsGuild.
My affiliate link - Crashing Waves & Crushing Depths
Support Your Local Game Store During the Holidays
Local game stores are the true heart of our gaming communities. They are the spots where we find our next great adventure, learn new strategies, and meet others who share our love for tabletop games. More than just places to buy dice and rulebooks, they are gathering spots where bonds are made, stories are shared, and the joy of gaming is celebrated.
As we enter the busy holiday season, it’s a great time to remember how much these stores contribute to the life of our communities. When we support local shops, we’re not just buying a product; we’re helping to keep the doors open for events, tournaments, and those familiar faces behind the counter who are always ready to offer advice. These stores provide the personal touch you can’t get online, from discovering hidden gems to talking through your next campaign with someone who truly understands.
But our local game stores do more than just sell games—they support creators. Independent game designers, writers, and artists often rely on these shops to showcase their work. By purchasing from them, you’re helping to make their dreams a reality while bringing fresh, exciting ideas into the gaming community.
So, as the holidays approach, consider making your purchases at the local stores and supporting the creators who are helping to shape the future of tabletop gaming. Your choices can help ensure these spaces remain alive and thriving, bringing joy and connection to us all.
Paso Robles
Tuesday - Open Gaming
Wednesday - Open Gaming
Thursday - Open Gaming
Friday - Open Gaming
Saturday - Yu-Gi-Oh! 1 pm
Sunday - Pokémon League 1 pm
Atascadero
Monday - Battletech 5:30 pm / Star Wars Unlimited 5:30 pm /
Tuesday - Open Gaming
Wednesday - Open Gaming
Thursday - D&D 6pm
Friday - Friday Night Magic
Saturday - Warhammer
Sunday - Infinity
Santa Maria
Monday - Yu-Gi-Oh! 6:30 - end, One Piece 6:30 - end
Tuesday - Magic Commander 5:30 - close
Wednesday - Magic Draft 6:30 - end, Yu-Gi-Oh! 7 pm - end
Thursday - Open Gaming, Battletech 6 pm start
Friday - Friday Night Magic 7 pm - end, Pokémon League 6:30 - end
Saturday - Open Gaming
On The Play Gaming is a frequent supporter of local outreach events for gaming and has helped support our Youth Programs this year.
Monday - Pokémon League 5 pm - 8 pm
Tuesday - Magic Commander 5 pm - 8 pm
Wednesday - One Piece 5 pm - 8 pm
Thursday - Games Workshop 1 pm - 8 pm
Friday - Friday Night Magic 5:30 - 10 pm
Saturday - Special Events
Sunday - Yu-Gi-Oh 1:30 - 6 pm
Leisure Time Games has been very supportive of the local game club Santa Maria Adventures League and has helped us begin building a TTRPG library.
News: Leisure Time Games has reorganized its space, and it looks great!
Though World 1-1 Games is not a typical game store, and doesn’t offer any space for in-store gaming, it is a fantastic supporter of local events in the Santa Maria Valley and often sponsors community outreach projects within the Gaming and Cosplay community.
Lompoc
Wednesday - Open Play
Monday - Yu-Gi-Oh! 6:30
Tuesday - Open Play
Thursday - One Piece / Shadowverse 5 pm
Friday - FREE Magic Draft 6 pm - end
Saturday - Pokémon 4 pm - 9p m
Sunday - Magic Commander 5 pm Lorcana League 4 pm
News: Central Coast Collectibles has moved locations and is much more spacious now!
Goleta
Sunday - Magic Pauper 12 pm / Magic Commander 3 pm
Tuesday - Magic Commander 6 pm / Magic Pioneer 6 pm
Wednesday - Magic Legacy 6 pm
Thursday - Magic Commander 6 pm / Flesh and Blood 6 pm
Friday - Magic Modern 6 pm / Pokemon 6 pm
Saturday - Lorcana League 12 pm / Magic Draft 3 pm / Yu-Gi-Oh! 3 pm
Santa Barbara
Sunday - Yu-Gi-Oh! 11:30 am
Monday - Magic Casual 6 pm
Friday - Magic Commander 6 pm
Saturday - 21+ D&D 12 pm / Learn Play D&D 2 pm / Pokemon League 1 pm
News: Metro is now teaching D&D
Ventura
Sunday - Magic, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Flesh and Blood, SW Unlimited 12 pm / Lorcana 2 pm
Monday - Smash Bro 7 pm
Tuesday - Lorcana 6 pm
Wednesday - Pokemon 7 pm / Yu-Gi-Oh! 7 pm / Magic Commander / 6 pm
Thursday - Board Games & TTRPGs 7 pm / Flesh and Blood 7 pm
Friday - Magic Draft 6 pm / Magic Commander 7 pm / Yu-Gi-Oh! 7 pm /
Saturday - Special Events frequently on Saturday (Check the Calendar)
Camarillo
Tuesday - Open Gaming / MTG 6 pm
Wednesday - X-Wing 6 pm / Lorcana 6 pm / Go! 6:30
Thursday - Super Smash Bros 7 pm - 10 pm
Friday - Friday Night Magic 6 pm 6 pm - 9 pm
Saturday - Yu-Gi-Oh! 11 am / Open Board Gaming 2 pm - 6 pm / Pokémon (Adults) 3 pm
Sunday - Open Gaming / Mini Painting 11 am / Infinity / Battletech / Lorcana 12p m & MTG 3 pm
Zander’s Game House is a huge supporter of local community events all over the Central Coast, within the gaming hobby, and very often supports programs for Adults with Special Needs.
News: Zander’s Game House is expanding into the suite next door to increase its gaming space!
Westlake Village
Monday - Board Game Night 4 pm - 7 pm
Tuesday - Magic Commander 12 pm - 7 pm, Pokémon League 4 pm - 7 pm
Wednesday - Lorcana 3 pm
Thursday - Magic Commander 12 pm - 7 pm, Marvel Crisis Protocol 5 pm - 8 pm
Friday - Pathfinder/Starfinder 2 pm - 7 pm, Friday Night Magic 7:30 - 11:30
Saturday - Warhammer 40k All Day
Sunday - Warhammer Age of Sigmar All Day
Black Rose Designs is a local business on the Central Coast specializing in Dice and gaming accessories including Dice Boxes, Leather Pouches, Art, Clothing, and more. They’re creating some of the highest-quality dice boxes on the market today, and are very luxurious pieces of functional art. I know them very well personally, and they’re some of the coolest gamers on the coast and take great pride in the quality of their work.
Why In-Person Tabletop Games Are Better for You
Playing tabletop games in person offers a level of connection that virtual platforms simply can’t match. Sitting around a table with friends, sharing laughs, and solving problems together creates bonds that go beyond the game itself. These moments of shared experience help us feel more connected and supported, which is easy to miss when gaming online.
In-person play also allows for better communication. Non-verbal cues like body language and tone add a layer of understanding that virtual games can’t provide. This deeper interaction strengthens relationships, making the game more enjoyable and memorable.
Taking time away from screens to engage in something physical and social can refresh our minds. Rolling dice, moving pieces, and chatting face-to-face are simple pleasures that help us focus and unwind in ways that virtual play doesn’t.
Next time you set up a game, consider gathering around a table. It’s not just about playing—it’s about enjoying time together and building connections that matter.
Central Coast Gaming Clubs (Links)
I have indexed all of the active and semi-active clubs around the Central Coast to make the painful task of finding a group of friends to share niche hobbies with a little easier for you. Most of these clubs are not affiliated with this newsletter, but we salute everyone on this list for building and maintaining their local gaming communities. If you know of a club on the Central Coast that isn't on this list, please let me know so I can add it. For a complete and up-to-date list including Discord Servers, Facebook Groups, and Meetup Groups visit the Nerdvana website here. And, if you can’t find what you’re looking for here or want to learn how to a create club from scratch, I wrote a guide for How to Create or Find a D&D Club here.
Central Coast Game Community Discord Server (Gaming Newsletter)
Monterey County Communities
Monterey D&D Discord
Monterey Area Gamers Discord (Board Games)
Heart of Arcana Discord (D&D)
Kern County Communities
Paladin's Game Castle Discord (Game Store)
RPG Bakersfield Facebook
San Luis Obispo County Communities
SLO-Gaming Discord (Everything Game Related)
PolyCon Discord (Everything Game Related)
Cal Poly Magic Players Discord
SLO Smash Discord
Prism CCG Discord (Game Store)
Central Coast Tabletop Gaming Discord (TTRPGs)
Cal Poly SLO Chess Club Discord
Santa Barbara County Communities
Santa Maria Valley Adventurer's League Discord (D&D)
Leisure Time Games Discord (Game Store)
Central Coast Collectibles Discord (Game Store)
UCSB Magic The Gathering Discord
Black Rose Designs LLC Discord (D&D, Maker)
Ventura County Communities
Conejo Valley Adventurers League Discord (D&D)
Zander's Game House Discord (Game Store)
Game Ogre Discord (Game Store)
Ventura County Star Wars Group Discord (Wargaming)
Dream Catcher Gaming Discord (Smash)
Do you know of a club that’s not on this list? Let me know!
Upcoming Conventions & Events
November 30th Atascadero Warhammer 40k Tournament
December 8th Camarillo Meet & Greet with Luke Gygax (more info on the Discord)
Luke Gygax (the son of Gary Gygax, the co-creator of D&D) is an American game designer, enthusiast, and entrepreneur in the fantasy and dieselpunk genres. His latest work is The World of Okkorim. Luke founded the annual Gary Con gaming convention, launched the publishing company Gaxx Worx, and successfully funded several Kickstarters. He is also a military veteran and contributes to helping veterans recover from wounds sustained from serving in combat via the Wounded Warrior Project.
December 16th Ventura Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament
January 12th Santa Maria Terror in Ten Towns (D&D Epic)
January 17-19 Ventura ConQuest Ventura!
February 1 San Luis Obispo PolyCon Winter Minicon 1-day (More info on the Discord)
Are you a promoter or organizer on the Central Coast? I’d love to include your event here free of charge.
Local Creator Highlight @Oddeyescreations
Local creator Oddeyescreations prints and sells nerdy accouterments like Pokemon, Dice Towers, Jewelry, and Figurines. I had the pleasure of meeting him last May at the Paradise Collectibles Convention in Santa Maria, where he had a giant Cthulhu dice tower that I regret not picking up immediately because it sold quickly. Oddeyescreations is a young entrepreneur local to the Central Coast, takes commissions, and can be contacted for work through his Instagram page.
Professional Dungeon Masters
Timothy Morgan a.k.a. The Whiskered Warlock
The Whiskered Warlock runs a D&D Supper Club called Fiends, Feasts, & Fables at the Clean Slate Wine Bar in Santa Ynez CA. An elegant event that mixes food drink and fantasy. You can connect with The Whiskered Warlock through email, Facebook, or Instagram
Goof
Goof is one of the DMs at our local Adventurer’s League and is always a highly requested DM at our events. You can connect with Goof through Start Playing or contact them for art commissions through ko-fi
Gabe
Gabe is another of the DMs at our local Adventurers League, always well-prepared and adaptable to changing plans. You can connect with Gabe through email
Chay Comas
This is me, hi! I organize several Dungeons & Dragons clubs, and events both small and large, and have extensive experience teaching D&D to all ages. If you’d like to organize a D&D event for your team or community or learn how to start a club in your community, I’d be happy to help, along with running a D&D at the event. You can connect with me through email, Facebook, or Phone at (805) 286-6707
Are you an aspiring Game Master for hire? Reach out to me and I’ll add you to our listing (no charge).
Thank You
Thank you all for joining us on this journey of uniting our communities to create camaraderie through gaming and hobbying. Consider supporting this newsletter at $6 a year with the offer below.