San Francisco Bay Area

Best known for its scenic vistas, colorful neighborhoods and high-tech businesses, the Bay Area has also played an important role in the emergence of steampunk culture. It's the headquarters of Burning Man; the unofficial capital of the Maker Movement; and birthplace of iconic projects such as the Steampunk Treehouse and the Nautilus Submarine Art Car. The area is also home to Clockwork Alchemy, one of the largest steampunk gatherings on the West Coast, and the Edwardian Ball, a two-day celebration that takes place in an alternate world inspired by illustrator Edward Gorey.

Steampunks who visit or live here will find a wealth of attractions, including steampunk-themed eateries; the arcade machines of Musée Mécanique; and preserved steam-powered ships at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.

You'll find these places and lots more in the listings below, which include the entire nine-county Bay Area from Sonoma and Napa counties in the north to Santa Clara County in the south, plus the neighboring counties of Lake, Mendocino, San Benito and Santa Cruz.

Check out the "Steamiest Places" section for attractions likely to be of greatest interest to steampunks.

Stories

Steampunk Cheer at Mad Hatter Parade

This whimsical parade is a holiday tradition in Vallejo, California, home of Obtainium Works

Staff Report | Dec 3, 2018

A “SteamPunk Santa” and his spiffy new sleigh were among the highlights of the 9th annual Mad Hatter Holiday Parade, held on Saturday, Dec. 1 in Vallejo, California. It was a holiday celebration like no other.

A Visit to AfroComicCon

Panels, cosplay, and artist tables were among the highlights at this geekfest near Oakland

By Stephen Beale | Nov 17, 2018

A presentation by Jaymee Goh on “Steampunk for People of Color” was among the highlights at AfroComicCon, held last month in Emeryville, California. It was near our global headquarters, so I decided to pay a visit.

Mark Your Calendars

Plans announced for gatherings in Chicago, Cincinnati, San Francisco, and Maryland

Staff Report | Oct 20, 2018

Organizers of several major steampunk events have announced plans for next year, including dates, locations, themes, and guests. In addition, some deadlines are approaching if you’d like to participate in upcoming events as a vendor or artist.

Costume Crawling in The Haight

Bay Area steampunks spent a day touring vintage fashion stores in SF’s Haight-Ashbury district

By Stephen Beale | Sep 26, 2018

In 1967, San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district was the epicenter of the Summer of Love. More than 50 years later, September 22 was a Day of Steampunk as a dozen or so neo-Victorians engaged in a “costume crawl.”

Curiously Grim in Marin

Eric Kelly transforms Victorian-era photography into surreal and unsettling works of art

Staff Report | Sep 20, 2018

Steampunk enthusiasts can step into an alternate universe of eerie Victorian characters as Art Works Downtown in San Rafael, California, hosts “Curiously Grim,” an exhibit featuring the work of Eric Kelly. It runs through October 6.

Midsummer Night at Obtainium Works

Bay Area steampunks explore the whimsical contraptions of “New Hibernia”

Staff Report | Aug 28, 2018

Photo Gallery: Obtainium Works leader Shannon O’Hare offered a behind-the-scenes look at the organization’s art cars and mutant vehicles during an August “Midsummer Night” steampunk gathering in Vallejo, California.

Steampunks Abound at Worldcon

The huge sci-fi event featured panels, dealers, readings, parties and, of course, the Hugo Awards

Staff Report | Aug 23, 2018

Photo Gallery: For five days in August, San Jose was the center of the science fiction universe as the city hosted Worldcon 76. The event drew about 4800 attendees, including what appeared to be a sizable number of steampunk enthusiasts.

Old-Time Tech in Silicon Valley

Part Three of our steampunk tour takes us to Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Palo Alto

Staff Report | Aug 14, 2018

Photo Gallery: Amid the office parks and corporate campuses, you can find monuments to inventions of old: The airship hangars of Moffett Field, Victorian tech in the Computer History Museum, the mechanical wonders of MOAH.

Welcome

The Steampunk Explorer is an online magazine and resource directory for steampunk enthusiasts and creators. You'll find stories about people, places and events in the steampunk world, as well as guides to retail outlets, museums, galleries, eateries, and other attractions in 36 North American regions, with more to come. We also have several pages of resources for artists, writers, and people with an interest in 19th century history. The site launched in March 2018 and is currently in public beta (meaning "please excuse our dust"). Read more. . .