Pinball in California

Musée Mécanique, located at Pier 45 Shed A at the end of Taylor Street in Fisherman's Wharf, is a family‑owned penny arcade and mechanical museum founded in 1933 with a collection of 300‑plus playable coin‑operated machines. The venue maintains a rotating pinball selection — Addams Family, Fun Land, Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure, Olympics, Pirates of the Caribbean, Road Race, Sing Along, Star Wars (Pro), Upper Deck — and is open daily 10:00 AM–8:00 PM for visitors to play originals and vintage arcade favorites.

Gestalt at 3159 16th St in San Francisco’s Mission District is a laid-back barcade and craft-beer bar with a divey, music-friendly vibe that pairs board games and casual nightlife with a focus on pinball play. The venue offers a rotating tap list and gourmet sausages alongside a nine-machine pinball lineup, making it a popular adult spot for relaxed play, social nights, and retro arcade fun in the city.

Coin-Op Game Room Gaslamp at 789 Sixth Ave in San Diego is a lively bar-style pinball arcade in the Gaslamp Quarter that features a rotating lineup of nine pinball machines alongside classic arcade cabinets, a pizza-forward menu, signature cocktails, daily specials and private-party/reservation options, making it a top spot for groups and events. Guests praise its nostalgic gaming atmosphere, affordable drinks and coin-operated play with change machines available, and reviewers consistently highlight the fun, social vibe and solid food and drink offerings on Yelp.

Dyno Bar (Aero Club) at 3367 India St in San Diego is a pinball-focused bar inside the Aero Club offering a rotating selection of nine pinball machines alongside whiskey-forward cocktails and pool tables, creating a casual, neighborhood arcade-bar atmosphere. Patrons consistently praise the well-kept machines and lively vibe on Yelp, and the venue regularly hosts monthly pinball events and local tournaments that draw both casual players and competitive pinball enthusiasts.

The Lost Abbey Brewing Co. Vista tasting room at 1347 Keystone Way in Vista, CA brings Lost Abbey’s Belgian-inspired sours, barrel-aged and hop-forward beers to a roomy, casual taproom and tasting space for locals and visitors alike. The site is also a beercade destination with a nine-machine pinball bank that draws regular play and events; Pinball Map lists the location and its machines, and its machine roster includes titles such as Godzilla (Pro) and JAWS (50th Anniversary). Local pinball groups regularly host tournaments and meetups at the Vista tasting room, with SD Pinball and the Lost Abbey Vista Instagram highlighting pinball nights and community events.

Full Hearts Arcade & Eats at 328 Main St in downtown Half Moon Bay is a family-friendly barcade and casual eatery pairing burgers, pizza, wings and draft beer with indoor/outdoor seating, gluten-free options, party packages and regular pinball events (open midweek and weekends; closed Mon–Tue). Players will find eight well-maintained pinball machines — including Godzilla (Premium), Jaws (Premium), Iron Man, Batman ’66, The Mandalorian, Hot Wheels, Labyrinth and Swords of Fury — with token play, tournaments and a local pinball league that make it a popular spot for gamers and families alike.

Hesher's Pizza & Taproom at 206 Broadway in Oakland is a casual pizza-and-beer hangout known for thrashin' pies, a rotating craft-beer tap list and regular events and DJs. The venue also doubles as a small arcade with seven pinball machines (3022, 1296, 644, 1624, 700, 689, 3126) and maintains a lively, well-reviewed neighborhood vibe on Yelp.

Lost Levels in Claremont is a retro video game shop with a tucked-away underground classic arcade inside the historic Claremont Packing House at 530 W 1st St, offering unlimited-play arcade and pinball passes plus a retail floor that buys, sells and trades games and cards. The venue’s pinball lineup includes Foo Fighters and Avengers: Infinity Quest and features modern Stern titles like Guardians of the Galaxy alongside a rotating mix of classic cabinets, making it a family-friendly spot praised for its curated collection and friendly staff on local listings and reviews

Bike Dog Brewing East Sac is a neighborhood taproom at 1210 66th Street (in the alley behind Moonbelly Bakery) pouring Bike Dog beers in a relaxed, dog- and kid-friendly space with regular food trucks, trivia nights and weekly specials; hours are Tuesday–Friday 3–9 PM, Saturday 12–9 PM and Sunday 12–8 PM. The taproom’s pinball lineup features a mix of classics and fan favorites including The Addams Family, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Fish Tales, The Flintstones, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Twilight Zone.

Contentment Brewing Company at 208 Campus Way in Modesto is a family- and pet-friendly neighborhood taproom that brews small-batch craft beer on-site and offers a lively games area with shuffleboard and pool. The taproom features an eight-machine pinball rotation — Taxi, Iron Man, King Kong: Myth of Terror Island (Pro), Led Zeppelin (Premium), The Walking Dead (Pro), JAWS (Pro), Godzilla (Pro), Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast (Pro) — and is praised for its friendly service and welcoming local vibe.

The Goldfish at 5043 York Blvd in Highland Park, Los Angeles is an independent cocktail bar, live-music venue, and arcade that pairs Thai-inspired small plates and craft cocktails with vintage Thai decor, orange-felt pool tables, a checkered dance floor, and frequent shows and events. Home to eight pinball machines, the arcade features titles such as Foo Fighters (Pro), Guardians of the Galaxy (Pro), The Walking Dead (Pro), and Hot Wheels, alongside a rotating selection of classic and modern games.

Brewski's Bar & Arcade at 8670 Miramar Road in San Diego is a lively 21+ pinball-focused arcade bar with eight pinball machines, pool tables, air hockey, a spacious patio and a full bar offering a large rotating draft beer selection and pub-style food, making it a popular spot for game nights and sports viewing. Regulars praise the friendly staff, reasonable drink prices and plentiful TVs for watching games, and the games are reported well-maintained, creating a casual, fun atmosphere for pinball enthusiasts and groups alike.

The Axe Lair at 164 N 2nd Ave in downtown Upland is a high-energy axe-throwing lounge that pairs projected, competitive lanes with a front-entry pinball arcade, private karaoke rooms, digital baseball suites, a rage room and beer/snack service—perfect for walk-ins, group parties, leagues and corporate events. Its pinball lineup includes Avatar: The Battle For Pandora LE, Cactus Canyon (Remake - Special Edition Plus), Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye (Pro), Elvira's House of Horrors (Premium Edition), Galactic Tank Force (LE), Godzilla (70th Anniversary Premium), Jaws (Premium), John Wick (Pro), Metallica Remastered (Premium), Pulp Fiction (SE), Star Wars Comic Art (Premium), Uncanny X‑Men (Premium) and Venom (Pro).

Family Amusement Corporation (Family Arcade) at 876 N. Vermont Ave in Los Angeles is a long-running, player-focused arcade that blends neon-era nostalgia with up-to-date equipment—pinballs, fighters, air hockey, dance, pool and prize games—and operates every day of the year for extended hours It houses a substantial pinball collection reported as over 20 machines alongside dozens of classic arcade and redemption titles, and is regularly praised in reviews for its varied game selection, atmosphere, and loyal local following

Asylum Brewing at 180 W Elm St in Anaheim is a horror‑themed craft brewery and tasting room near the Anaheim Packing House, serving house beers like Dayroom and Lobotomy in a spooky, retro space with friendly staff and regular events; the tasting room doubles as a pinball hangout with a rotating, operator‑maintained collection that includes Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye (Pro), Godzilla (Premium), Guardians of the Galaxy (Premium), Jaws (Pro), Ninja Eclipse, Pulp Fiction (SE), Scooby Doo (Collectors Edition), Total Nuclear Annihilation and Uncanny X‑Men (Pro), and uses an embedded card/token system for affordable play and league nights.

Scandia Family Fun Center in Rohnert Park (5301 Redwood Dr) is a long-standing, family-friendly amusement spot featuring award-winning miniature golf, go-karts, batting cages, a pizza counter and a large indoor arcade that’s popular for birthday parties and group events. The Grand Arcade includes a rotating lineup of pinball machines, with recent listings showing titles such as JAWS (Pro), John Wick (Pro), Foo Fighters (Premium), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Premium), Jurassic Park (Pro) and Godzilla (Pro) among others.

Arrow Lodge Brewing at 720 West Arrow Highway in Covina, CA is an award‑winning craft brewery known for hazy and West Coast IPAs as well as Berliner and stout offerings, with a relaxed, dog‑friendly taproom that serves pizza, hosts music and community events and attracts a neighborhood crowd. The taproom includes a small games area with eight pinball machines — The Uncanny X‑Men (Pro), Pabst Can Crusher, Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant's Eye (Pro), Star Wars: Fall of the Empire (Pro), King Kong: Myth of Terror Island (Pro), JAWS (Pro), John Wick (Pro), Stranger Things (Pro) — and plays are typically very affordable, making it a popular spot for leagues and casual players.

Horrorcade is a horror‑themed pop‑up pinball arcade operating inside Rad Coffee at 145 N Citrus Ave in Covina, CA, offering a nostalgia‑driven, themed play experience that draws local crowds and special‑event nights. The rotating lineup pairs specialty coffee with community pinball nights and currently features Jurassic Park (Pro), Pulp Fiction (SE), John Wick (Pro), Halloween (SE), X‑Men Magneto (LE), Scared Stiff, Elvira's House of Horrors (Premium), Godzilla (Pro). Visitors note the retro arcade vibe—checkerboard floors, punk/new wave soundtrack—seasonal drinks and merchandise, and thoughtful touches like cup holders on machines for a comfortable, late‑night play experience.

Big Bear Retro Arcade at 41250 Big Bear Blvd in Big Bear Lake, CA is a retro arcade and museum celebrating ’70s–’90s gaming with a rotating lineup of classic video games and a seven‑machine pinball collection. Visitors praise its family‑friendly, old‑school vibe, two floors of games, a cozy snack bar and open‑play options that make it a popular stop in the mountains. Pinball highlights have included Hotdogger, Black Knight Limited Edition, Electra‑Pool, Hi‑Deal and other classic EM and solid‑state tables.

Almanac Beer Co. (Almanac Adventureland) at 651 W Tower Ave in Alameda, CA is an industrial‑chic taproom and brewery known for award‑winning and barrel‑aged beers, an outdoor patio, rotating food trucks and family‑friendly attractions like sandboxes and slushies; it also features a rotating lineup of pinball machines and classic arcade games that make it a lively spot for both craft‑beer fans and families alike.

Dead Reckoning Tavern at 815 J St in Arcata, CA is a casual, dog-friendly tavern offering 36 rotating craft beer taps, bottles and cans to go, and a curated vinyl selection for a laid-back vibe. The bar also features working pinball machines and regularly hosts pinball league nights, making it a local hub for pinball and beer enthusiasts.

Joystiq, at 325 W Main St in downtown Merced, is a relaxed arcade-bar and kitchen that pairs casual American fare like wings and burgers with an arcade area and shuffleboard, creating a family-friendly hangout favored by locals and visitors alike. The venue features a compact pinball bank of seven machines and a rotating selection of arcade games, offering a lively spot for pinball players and groups looking for food, drinks, and games in a central downtown setting.

State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria at 101 Plaza North in Los Altos, CA is a family-friendly neighborhood pub and scratch-made pizzeria—using slow-proofed dough baked in a high-heat oven and boasting an award-winning pizza pedigree—paired with craft beer and wine for casual dining and takeout; the Los Altos location also features a lively arcade with seven pinball machines (The Flintstones, Shrek, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Simpsons Pinball Party, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and World Cup Soccer) plus classic arcade cabinets, making it a popular spot for families, date nights and pinball enthusiasts on the Peninsula.

Lake Alice Trading Co. in Riverside is a lively bar & grill and entertainment spot with a rustic saloon vibe, regular live music and sports viewing, pool and shuffleboard, plus an arcade area and rotating pinball collection that make it a popular downtown hangout for food, drinks, and games. The pinball lineup includes Atlantis, Excalibur, Harley-Davidson, Medieval Madness, Meteor, NBA Fastbreak, Robo-War, Spider-Man.

Mom Said Yes at 4525 Calle Mayor in Torrance, CA is a lively pizza, bar and arcade known for bold pies, cold drinks, regular live music, trivia and themed events with attentive staff and affordable happy-hour deals that draw a local crowd. Its on-site arcade includes a compact, eclectic pinball collection featuring Bomb The Axis Rats, Freedom, Zoom, Velvet, Shoot-A-Line and Royal Flippers.

Q25 Barcade is a compact barcade at 114 N Sacramento Street in Lodi, CA, combining a full bar with a small but varied pinball rotation (current machines: 3022, 3415, 2923, 3099, 3680, 3226). Open from about 4 PM, the venue is priced around $10–20 per person and holds a 4.3-star Google rating from roughly 23 reviews, with patrons commonly praising friendly bartenders while offering mixed feedback on drink selection and pricing. Photos, event updates, and the latest machine lineup are posted on its Instagram @q25_lodi.

Uncle Ollie’s Penthouse at 414 Boyd St in DTLA’s Little Tokyo is a late-night, house‑party style bar featuring DJs, a lively dance floor, a photo booth, a VIP “Chancho Sucio” pub and free-play arcade games, creating a playful, immersive nightlife experience for locals and visitors alike. The venue also offers a rotating pinball lineup that includes Cactus Canyon (Remake Special), Earthshaker and JAWS, making it a popular stop for pinball fans who want to mix gaming with late-night music and inventive decor.