Hi all,
I'm headed to California from New Zealand in August and will be there when waves 3 & 4 are released. I'd really like to pick these up while I'm there as they won't be released here in NZ for at least a few more weeks or possibly months. Are there any Reno, San Francisco or LA locals that can recommend the best store to pick up the new releases from?
Will be in Reno Aug 21 to 25. San Fran Aug 27-28. LA, Santa Monica Sep 4 to 6.
If you're in the San Francisco area, Endgame (across the bay in Oakland), any of the Game Kastle stores (Fremont, Santa Clara, and Mountain View, but especially Fremont and Mountain View) or Comic Collector Shop (San Jose) have all taken concrete steps to encourage the Armada community and are worth your patronage. Endgame is the only one easily accessible by the local light rail system. If your confined to San Francisco, there is also Gamescape and the few times of been there the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, but they don't have much space. In Berkeley, I have a lot of friends at Games of Berkeley and they love FFG games, though Armada just hasn't caught on. They're right above the Downtown Berkeley BART station.
Also, try joining the Bay Area Armada Facebook group and you might get a game in during your stay.
Regardless, enjoy your stay! And just remember, in the immortal words of Mark Twain, "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."
Edited by thecactusman17Hey, JRock: only just realized your itinerary. Game Kastle Fremont had their Armada open play on Sunday, you might try hitting up there. Definitely post on the Facebook group though, attendance has been spotty for the last several weeks. Unfortunately, I no longer have weekends free.
Ah should have mentioned that I will be looking to purchase but won't have any spare time to play a game. Going to be pretty busy sight seeing with my wife but hoping to pick up some new models before they are released in NZ.
As an aside anyone know whether its possible to get a tour of Skywalker ranch? From what i can see you need to be invited there are no public tours?
If you are OK with ordering online, Amazon has armada stuff and they are Prime so free 2 day shipping.
You can make an account and get 30 days of prime for free, so even if you do not want to pay for amazon prime (it is worth it) you can still take advantage of it.
Edited by Nickvr628None of the new stuff has gone up on amazon yet. I don't know if they wait until its released to list it though.
Amazon Links:
They are available for purchase on the 6th.
If all you want to do is grab product, I'd recommend Games of Berkeley, Endgame, or Gamescape in San Francisco simply because they are all close to transit systems. If you're going down near San Jose, try CCS or any of the Game Kastles but especially Fremont and Mountain View.
And if you do drive through San Francisco, please please please do me a favor and don't get yourself towed for being in a no parking zone. One of the most common mistakes tourists make is not realizing how strict some of our parking rules are 
I got some friends that were talking about a great store for Armada in Santa Monica at a tournament a while back, I'll ask them what it was, but unlike San Fran, if you don't have a car don't expect to get anywhere in California easily. Our Pub transit sucks more than anywhere else in the known universe. That is, unless you want to hire an Uber that gives you artisinal spring water and plays soft indie folk. We got tons of those.
Also, don't you know if you "Go" (as in Pokemon Go) but Santa Monica Pier is the "It" spot for catching 'Mons in SoCal. Figured I would throw that out there as an aside.
Too bad you won't be in Portland Oregon for a day. We are having a wave 3+4 arrival tournament on the 14th
JRock, I'm right between LA and SD in Irvine, if you're around town, I can order some for you through Amazon and we can even get a game at my house! 
JRock, I'm right between LA and SD in Irvine, if you're around town, I can order some for you through Amazon and we can even get a game at my house!
Where do you go to play regularly? I'm in Laguna Beach and play in Dice House's monday night league
I have a sneaking suspicion that everyone responding to this thread should be getting paid...
JRock, I'm right between LA and SD in Irvine, if you're around town, I can order some for you through Amazon and we can even get a game at my house!
Where do you go to play regularly? I'm in Laguna Beach and play in Dice House's monday night league
At my house actually, but if it's for an event, it'll be Brookhurst, CQ or The Realm. Dice House too for store tournaments. I just don't like to go too far past Fullerton or towards SD.
I just moved to OC and when I first moved I popped in at Dice House and looked forward to playing there weekly, but then have been foiled on Monday nights at Dice House literally for months. I have the stuff in the trunk of my car, and every week I think this is my week, then some crap show thing happens and I miss it, again. Hopefully next week *sigh*
JRock, I'm right between LA and SD in Irvine, if you're around town, I can order some for you through Amazon and we can even get a game at my house!
Thanks for the offer but likely not going to have time to head down that way as LA is our last stop on the trip and have a number of things we want to do there.
Great suggestions everyone. Thank you.
Hi All,
Thanks for all your advice. I ended up getting 1 of each of the wave 3/4 ships from Heros Games & Hobbies in Reno/Sparks.
Had a fantastic time looking around California and Nevada. Clocked up close to 3000 miles in the 4 weeks that we were there. Seeing Vegas, Hover Dam, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes, Tahoe, Reno, Point Reyes, San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Santa Monica, and Venice. Deserts, Mountains, Farms, Coasts, small towns and massive cities. Those of you living is this area of the world are very spoilt for things to do and places to see.
Dang you didn't say you were swinging thru Vegas.
Dang you didn't say you were swinging thru Vegas.
https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/user/172745-tenchi2a/
Edited by Ginkapo