I've been looking for spots to buy gunpla and I have grown to adore this shop. The owner is super personable and friendly and absolutely does what she can to get the kit you want. She knows the stuff! They also carry gunpla bases. They don't have many kits at the moment, though. They also carry many other model kits, such as planes, ships, and cars. I also had a bunch of board games! The store is small, but it is packed with a lot of stuff! If you have patience and want to support this business, this is the spot! read more

Viking Hobby - Gunpla - Hobby Shops Near Me - Carmichael, California

I have been going to Viking Hobby Store for over thirty years. If there is a model, a historic game, literature, model supplies that you are looking for, chances are Viking Hobby has it in stock. If not they can most likely find and order it. They have a great selection of existing aircraft, car, armor, figures, games, table top war gaming supplies and many OOP kits. There is so much packed in that little store. If you have never been to a small novelty Hobby store, this is the one you need to visit and experience. I highly recommend this place. read more

Viking Hobby was where I bought my first miniatures- and have been a customer since... well 1978. Jessica and Ken are fantastic people and really know their stock and are fantastic at special orders and knowing when to call you when a special something comes in. Customer service at it's best in an established piece of gaming history that is still thriving! read more

I've been going to see Jessica for years buying kits paints and tools and it's always a high point for me when I get to stop in. Selection of models has changed over the years but I can usually find something to build even if it's one of my old donated kits. read more

my boyfriend wanted to buy one of these and we randomly looked up a places and this was the first spot, and im so glad we came here!!! the lady who helped us was so sweet and helpful, this place has been here for 45 years! I loveee that, feels good to support locally! read more

Viking Hobby - Hobby Shops Near Me - Carmichael, California

First off, I loved the energy of this place! I've never been before but I was on a search for two specific board games (The Castles of Burgundy & Dominion) and a lot of places didn't have them. Fortunately, I called before coming to the store to ask if they had them in stock and they did! Even over the phone, Jessica was very nice and accommodating. Being that she only had the last copy of each, she even offered to put them on hold for me which was great! I ended up getting it the same day and the pricing was great because they also have a 10% off promo. Their other selections were great as well and they're very knowledgeable on all the games if you ask. Glad I could support a local small business, and if you're considering it you should too! Highly recommend you check them out! read more

Viking Hobby - Dominion: Second Edition & The Castles of Burgundy (20th Anniversary Edition) - Hobby Shops Near Me - Carmichael, California

Amazing the lady who works there was so helpful and kind! Will definitely come back to buy more! read more

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I ran out of a Tamiya paint color which I could not find from my regular hobby store, so I thought I would take a chance by driving to this store after work. I was not disappointed! But that's not all... It was equally surprising to find that this store had a lot of model kits on display! I checked on a couple and found out that the price was even cheaper than what my regular hobby store offered (or even at Amazon, methinks!) The store might be small, but it was packed with good model kits! I was only there for the paint, but I spent about half an hour looking at the stocks...and it wasn't enough. I will have to come back and really do a thorough inspection of their stock another time! There was only one person manning the counter that day. But this staff was really friendly, and knowledgeable about all things model! I happened to tell him that my shortcoming was weathering, and he was kind enough to give me advice about it. He even showed me weathering acrylic pencils I could use for weathering! I am impressed! I'm sure a lot of people frequent this store for its products and service offered by the staff. I am now a fan of this store as well! read more

I really like this hobby shop because they have a lot of selection and model kits and they especially have a selection of older model kits that they collect for sales. These kits are sometimes from the 70s and 80s and are kind of hard to find on eBay and it's been the same owners since 19 8485. They are very knowledgable they have games magazines books, a wide selection of paints and there's a fantastic sandwich shop right next-door I have to drive 45 miles one way to get there, but I always come away with a desirable model kit that I remember from my childhood. read more

I used to live in Fair Oaks, Viking Hobby is a great model shoppe. They found me a 1/350 HMS Hood . I recommend them highly. I plan to do business with them again, albeit long distance. I wii gladly pay the postage and any shipping fees. I'm looking for a ww2 Italian Armoured Car, A BF109T, and a 1/32 StuH. I will be in touch within the week. I'm also looking for a 1/350 Scale American Bagley Class pre- and WW2 American Class Destroyer, I want to build it as the USS Jarvis. And also, a pre-ww2 US Four Piper Destroyer. My email is brianKorbelik3@gmail.com read more

Great little Hobby Shop. Reminds me of what hobby shops used to look like in years ago. I bought a vintage Creature from the Black Lagoon model and an older Pandemic board game that I needed to replace worn out cards from my original. Great place and nice friendly people. Reasonable prices too. read more

Very knowledgeable, helpful and kind. They have a good selection of WW2 tanks and plane models. Jessica is the best!

I love this place. Great place to look at all the games and models and dream of what if. Also great to go and buy. Can not find what your looking, can't remember the name of the game, or want try something new, this is the place. I have gone here with a basic description of game, and can not remember the name. Based on description they find it for me. Live a specific game but want to try something new, the staff will find your next favorite game. Need paint supplies for minis or terrain. The hot it. Minus Vs one star because I cannot buy more games. Budget is too small. Lol read more

What a great hobby store. Just over 20 miles from my house but well worth the drive. Good selection of model paints, models and accessories including some old models you probably won't find any place else. This is not one of a franchised large store but a wonderful privately owned, friendly neighborhood shop. read more

The most diverse selection of gaming miniatures and modeling kits in the area. I've been coming to this shop for close to 20+ years and they never fail to have what I need. Multiple times over I've walked into this shop looking to fill a very specific need on my game table and every time I found they had exactly what I was looking for in stock. From Goblins and zombies to more modern historical gaming in Cold War and Vietnam era they will more than likely have (or can order) what you are looking for. They are also very knowledgeable about what they are selling. They can give you an honest review of most any product they stock. I've been given several recommendations on which miniatures to buy and never once second guessed the recommendation after getting home and opening the box. read more

A beautiful store stocked to the brim with models I want to buy up the store. I'm not much in to miniatures so I can't speak to them but the the model choices are wide and even magazines and table top games. I'll be back. read more

I love Viking Hobby. It has shelves and shelves of models from all time periods. They stock Zvezda miniatures, so I don't have to order them offline. They also stock a lot of Master Box sets. The military models are awesome too, and they have tons of figures to make a diorama if that's your intention. Viking also sells lots of war gaming sets and figures, as well as paints and board games. This is the only place I've ever found a Celtic warrior figure in 1/32, including online, so I'll always be coming back here for my models. Good price points also. read more

This place is right next to Skips Kitchen so make it a double outing and get an awesome burger and paint and figurines. I know you can buy figurines online but there is something fun about just picking them off a rack. There is an excellent selection of paint, primer etc at a reasonable price and well it is nice to support local nerd culture. Cheers, RCC read more

I love this place, they're the only hobby store I know of in the area that carries Tamiya products and the lady is just the nicest. Very straightforward and pleasant experience. This is the type of store that started the table top gaming community. I recommend them highly. read more

Stopped by this morning to try and find a certain Tamiya Red paint needed for a Balsa wood Fokker project. Not only did Jessica have it but was a great help in trying to track down two plastic models. We were happy to walk out with a couple of other models and some much needed supplies. Will be back very soon to get a smile from Jessica and shop some more. read more

When you walk into this place, you get a heavy whiff of cigarette smoke. The people who work here smoke and it wreaks. I walked in to possibly buy a model or two, but the cigarette smoke ruined my visit. Although there are some models on the shelves, there are not many options to choose from. It seems like they have 4 to 6 models of each kind instead of having 2 or 3 of several kinds. I have no need to go back. read more

(Please note: I wrote this review about 2 months ago but I didn't hit the "Post" button! I've have been back since and plan to return this week) I stopped by Viking Hobby today to buy some paint for some tank models I have (Sturmgeschultz IV, Kangaroo, White Scout Car M3A1, and Tiger I Mid Production). Since I haven't built a model in probably 20 years I decided to just get paint for one model (Stug IV) and then return for more after I'm finished. The owners Mark and Jessica were VERY nice a greeted us when we entered. I was amazed at the selection of model kits, paints, games, ect. If I could have, I would've stayed all day going over ever inch of the store! Haha. Being out of the model building game for some time I wasn't really sure where to start. Mark helped me pick out the type of paint (water soluble) and the colors I needed. He also gave me some advice on how to clean the brushes (I picked one up too). He did NOT try to sell me anything I didn't need. Overall I had an excellent experience at Viking Hobby, they have a GREAT selection, and good prices, and the owners are SUPER nice. Even though I don't live near the store (it's about a 25-30 minute drive for me) I will DEFINITELY return to this store for ALL of my hobby needs!!! read more

At age 60, I can remember the hobby store in my hometown. Viking Hobby evokes that era -- friendly, family-owned (and oriented) hobbies in a small space but big on customer service. You might find lower prices (but not by much) on the Internet, but you will rob yourself of the joys of shopping here. read more

Viking Hobby - Viking Hobby street entrance - Hobby Shops Near Me - Carmichael, California

A wonderful little nook! When you arrive at Viking Hobby, you may not expect much from the very simple storefront, but once you walk inside, you'll find tons of games/models and friendly workers. I've only been here once so far, and I found it to be a satisfying visit. Beforehand, I called ahead to see if they had the products I was in search for in the area (Smashup and Fluxx) and the worker (I wish I could get his name) seemed to be knowledgeable of the boardgames (we all know those chain store retail employees who don't know about what products and have to ask someone else or what not). Unfortunately, Smashup was out of stock, but he knew the exact reason (they're having to reprint more sets because they've been selling a lot, sold out in the general area too). Instead he suggested King of Tokyo, which I don't regret buying at all. The only thing I can say about the business is that I wish they'd have a more spacious location. Although it gives the store a little nice aesthetic, having so many things crammed into the small store may feel a little clustered. The board games are stacked to the ceiling on shelves behind the counter, but they're nice enough to let you see them if you ask (at least according to other reviews I've read). Being a smaller place, their selection may not be as expansive as other game stores, but they seem stocked to my needs at least. These reasons aren't enough for me to lower my rating. This may not be the closest game store for me, but I'm always for supporting small business and the 10% discount off of new items is just a bonus! I'm looking forward to swinging by more often! read more

I love this place and everything in it, workers always nice hope it stays open forever!

If you are bored and need something to do go down to Viking Hobby there is plenty of awesome models and games and more! The owners are great and very helpful and friendly! read more

Neat hobby shop, lots of model kits as well as board games. The place is awesome, even if driving it can be hard to spot. It does have its own dedicated parking lot, though, so that is an option. Staff is friendly, willing to make suggestions if you have questions. Bottom Line: Games are fun - they are supposed to be played with friends. So find a friend and check this place out, it'll make for a great way to find your next favorite game. read more

Love this shop. It's been around forever. Best model shop in town. I bet they can order almost any model from anywhere. Huge.. just huge selection of model to walk in and pick from. You want models... this is where you get them! Don't waste your time going anyplace else. Jessica.. is Da Bomb! read more

Amazing store. Hundreds of board games and figurines in this little shop. Hard to spot but so worth going in. 10% off my board game just because that's their tradition. How crazy is that? read more

Viking Hobby - From across the street - Hobby Shops Near Me - Carmichael, California

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I've been in Sacramento since leaving the Air Force in 1981and I have stopped by Viking Hobby countless times. I collect 1/48 German/ Japanese WWII aircraft, 1/35 German WWII armor, 1/350 Japanese/German WWII naval units, and all scales of motorcycle model kits. (I probably have more than 400 kits.) I usually buy the kits on line at eBay due to the insanely rapid price increases on plastic kits in general. But I still make it a point to stop by Viking Hobby periodically to buy several items, look at the consignment kits they offer for sale, and chat with the staff. I understand that small shops like this one are a treasure that society, as a whole, shouldn't lose. The people running the store are not just punching a clock! - they are enthusiastic knowledgable people who know what they're talking about. Most are gamers, modellers, or participants in the realm of wargaming. Supporting Viking Hobby is a task easily accepted as I still remember walking into that small military model shop in Norton Shores, Michigan and finding all those tank models available for $3-10. I bought my first one then and it's led me to visit the British, French, German, and Dutch Tank Museums in Europe. Models led me to appreciate and analyze history's conflicts for their cause and effects. If model-building could influence me, why not some other inquisitive kid today? If you want quality, expertise, and care for your modeling addiction, you cannot go wrong here at Viking Hobby as these are people who know, buy, and use the stuff they sell here. Recommend this establishment in the highest order. - Gordon Maciejewski read more

The most fantastic people run this filled up shop, such a wonderful place. They are so kind and warm and deserve ALL of the customers! It is people like this that are the lifeblood of our community and I value community and the unique individuals that make this a beautiful place to live. Thank you Viking. read more

Been a patron since the early '80s. More goodness in that tiny shop than many carry with 5X the space. I wanted a particular D7 model that was no longer in production and it took Jessica a while but she managed to hunt one down for me. Got all my AD&D gaming material here back when TSR reigned. Have a good inventory of wargames and other table games, paints, tools, pretty much anything you need for gaming and model building. And always at a nice price. Viking has been my favorite gamer store for 40 years and counting. read more

I've been a Viking Hobby customer for nearly 40 years. From days as 8 year old begging my parents to take me there for 1/72 scale miniatures to going there for war-games and Osprey books. This has been a constant in my life. Very glad to now being able to take my children there. They have a great selection of all your hobby needs. Just no RC stuff, so stop asking about it . read more

Viking Hobby is a bit of Sacramento gaming history and legend. I'm not sure how they have managed to endure something like three decades of existence as a hobby shop, when every other shop of its kind fell by the wayside, but it probably has something to do with nice people, extensive stock and, due to the small size of the shop, low overhead. I still remember the first item I got from Viking Hobby: a 1:35 scale Sherman tank (75mm howitzer variant) that was far too complex for me to build when I was ten years old, in 1979. I couldn't tell you how much money I have spent in the place in the last 28 years. I do know that I can't name one other hobby shop in the city that was around then that is still around now. Viking fits perfectly the archetype of the gaming/hobby shop. Located in a somewhat dilapidated miniature strip mall roughly on the outskirts of Carmichael, the tiny shop is filled floor-to-ceiling with everything imaginable having to do with gaming and model-making, from the latest flavor-of-the-month card game to obscure short-run model airplane kits of little-known aircraft. Models fill an entire wall, games fill the opposite wall behind the counter, and the center of the store is filled with a double-sided row of shelves filled with everything from model paint and glue to a shelf of used games and old model-building magazines. A narrow walkway around the perimeter of the store can prove difficult navigation for the stouter sort of gamer. There are boxes of games on the floor, and stuff that you'll need to stand on a chair to reach, but the staff will go get it for you if you ask. A couple of large home-brewed starship models several feet long (now looking a little the worse for wear) hang from the ceiling. They carry both new and used games, and models vary from expensive and fancy to cheap and highly discounted. There's something for every price point. Service is friendly and helpful. Normally they'll stay out of your way, as most gamer types tend to know what they're looking for and like to browse (and tell you about their 41st level paladin/assassin while they do it.) But when you do ask for help, they're right there, and will happily special order. One thing about old game stores is that they tend to get that complex, convoluted feel that an old bookstore gets, but with weird twists: the shelves seem to reassemble themselves at will, and no matter how often you go in and how familiar the stock gets (there's probably stuff there I originally flipped through in junior high school that still hasn't sold yet) there is always something that went unnoticed to stumble across, wonder, and sometimes buy. It's a bit like the archetype of the dusty old magic shop that's larger on the inside than the outside. I still keep expecting to flip through some old Palladium supplements and find a first-edition Arduin Grimoire or a pack of Martian Metals TRAVELLER miniatures...I just haven't looked in the right place yet. There is no gaming area, the shop is simply too small for one to fit. Some consider this a very good thing. They do occasional swap meets in the parking lot. One day I'll drive past and the store will be gone and I'll be very sad. But it's nice to know that, at least for now, they're serving a generation of gamers that weren't born when they opened, and my generation of gamers who went in as kids and are now turning old and gray. read more

And then there was one..... Growing up in Sacramento, I used to buy model kits at The Toy Shop, Hobbytown, Hobby House, and the one time all great Highlands Hobbies. One by one, they all closed, or became something else. When Viking opened, it was water to a thirsting hobby populace. The owner used to come around to the local IPMS meeting, and get our input. It was, and still is great. Not everything under the sun, but that's ok. Great amounts of reference and research material, good selection of models. I wish they could expand to fill the whole building they're in. read more

I started visiting Viking back in 1986, and the store was already well-established even then. Life happens, and I gradually fell out of the gaming scene. Years may pass between my visits, but every time I do the store is exactly as I last saw it, and damned if Jessica still doesn't recognize my face and welcome me by name. That's worth 5 stars to me. read more

Love this little store. Found it through a friend of my dads that has been going for years! Customer service is five stars! I first came in clueless looking for a gift. They asked a few questions and helped me select a really nice model kit that he loved! I would have never picked something out like it on my own. I have gone back again to get additional models as additional gifts. I love that they are local, and really try to get to know their customers. They aren't there just to upsale you on things you don't need. Will be going back again and again. read more

One fo the best places in town to get a non mainstream board game. While Great Escape has a number of the top shelf games (mainly Fantasy Flight ones) Viking has a full set of Fluxx, Carcassonne, and Ticket to Ride even harder to find expansions. The guys who work there are super nice and really knowledgeable. There are also some RPGs there, particularly the more esoteric or out of print editions as well as a lot fo models. I am not a model or miniature person so I don't know how extensive their collection really is but it seemed extensive to me. Trust me n the board/card games though. The shop is tiny and a little difficult to find but it's well worth the effort. read more

Visited Viking hobby during my recent Visit to Rancho Cordova. Found the Store and the ownership quite inviting and friendly. Good selection purchased a few Models on my two visits there. Glad to support small hobby stores, will be back again. read more

Five stars for service Four stars for limited selection for us aircraft guys! However, they provide an excellent, if not the best in the area, service for the role playing board gamers. I don't know what they call themselves, but they seem to be the D&D's type. Prices are MSRP, same as everywhere else, and some of those aircraft models have been at that store for a long, long time. They even have a couple OOP kits I've been meaning to snag! read more