San Francisco, 1850. The gold rush is in full swing. Off the coast lies a fleet of abandoned ships, the crews of which are obsessed with gold fever. A few magnates stake their claim on these dilapidated ships that they tow into port to house their growing empires. Over time, this waterfront neighborhood known as the Embarcadero would become the heart of the thriving port city's business community.

In Embarcadero, players step into the shoes of these smart entrepreneurs. The game takes place over three rounds. In each round, players take turns playing cards and placing tiles to gain control of yards to earn points and influence.