Find a Game
Mah jongg games in California
10 verified games, each checked against the venue's own public page, with no rankings and no paid placement.
See every state, or if you run a game, tell us and we will list it free.
Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos Branch · Aptos, CA
Thursdays, 2:00-4:00 pm
Weekly Hong Kong style with lessons and a beginners table.
As listed on their site, July 2026. Confirm with the venue before you go.
East Bay, CA
Classes, strategy workshops, and monthly brunches; schedule by contact
Longtime NMJL-rules teacher in the Bay Area.
As listed on their site, July 2026. Confirm with the venue before you go.
Peninsula Jewish Community Center · Foster City, CA
Thursdays 12:45-3:00 pm
Free unstructured drop-in, all levels; separate Chinese-style classes also run.
As listed on their site, July 2026. Confirm with the venue before you go.
Fremont and Santa Clara venues · Fremont, CA
Multiple sessions per month, learn-to-play days plus biweekly ladder games
Over 1,000 past events; upcoming ladder dates listed.
As listed on their site, July 2026. Confirm with the venue before you go.
The Village in Northridge · Granada Hills, CA
Mondays, weekly
Free for members and residents, small fee for guests.
As listed on their site, July 2026. Confirm with the venue before you go.
Los Angeles Public Library, Chatsworth Branch · Los Angeles, CA
Second Wednesday of the month, 1:00 pm
Monthly; experienced players teach beginners.
As listed on their site, July 2026. Confirm with the venue before you go.
The Box at Silver Lake Independent JCC · Los Angeles, CA
Monthly, 7-9 pm
Free for members, small fee for guests; upcoming dates posted.
As listed on their site, July 2026. Confirm with the venue before you go.
Congregation Beth Am · San Diego, CA
Tuesdays evenings (afternoons in summer); virtual play Thursdays
Weekly synagogue game; bring the current NMJL card.
As listed on their site, July 2026. Confirm with the venue before you go.
San Francisco, CA
Scheduled group lessons plus private lessons on request
Teaches American and Hong Kong styles; summer group lessons listed.
As listed on their site, July 2026. Confirm with the venue before you go.
San Gabriel Community Recreation Center · San Gabriel, CA
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 8:00-11:00 am; Fridays 1:30-5:00 pm
Free open gameplay; participants may bring their own sets.
As listed on their site, July 2026. Confirm with the venue before you go.
Don't see your town? Find a game anyway
- Search your library's event calendar. Most public library systems run recurring game afternoons, and mahjong is a staple. Search the calendar for "mahjong" or "mah jongg" (both spellings; venues split about evenly).
- Call the JCC, senior center, or community center. These are the historic homes of the American game, and many groups meet weekly without a web page. The front desk always knows.
- Search Facebook for "California mahjong". Hundreds of local groups organize there and nowhere else.
- Check the other directories too. Bam Good Time maintains a large club directory, and I Love Mahj runs online American games with real people at all hours. We list them because your game matters more than which site found it.
- Start one. Two friends, one set, a library meeting room, and a current card is a game. Libraries will usually post it to their calendar for you, and then you are the listing.
Common questions
Are these listings current?
Each listing comes from the venue's own public page and shows the month we last checked it. Schedules drift, so confirm with the venue before your first visit. If you find one that has ended, tell us and we will fix it the same week.
How do I get my game or club listed?
Email editor@mahjongalmanac.com with the game's name, venue, city, schedule, and a public web page we can verify it against. Listing is free for everyone and always will be; we do not rank listings or sell placement.
I am brand new. Can I just show up?
Usually yes at library and community games, which tend to welcome beginners and often teach. Bring nothing but patience: sets are provided, and if it is an American game you can pick up the current National Mah Jongg League card there or order one first. Email the contact on the listing if you want to be sure.
New to the game entirely? Start with how American mah jongg works so your first table feels familiar, and bring the Charleston with you; it is the part every beginner wishes someone had explained first.