Belmont Smoke Shop & Novelties : 884 El Camino Real (north of Ralston), Belmont, CA {MAP}
650-508-1805 --- Hours: M-Th: 10-10, Sat: 11-10, Sun: 11-9.
This place made the mistake of installing western red cedar in their walk-in humidor. But, they have a large assortment of cigars (full line of AF.. Royal Salute, Chateu L, Petite Corona etc..) at fair prices.. in a crummy liquor-store setting. Rick Bolen says.. "Check it out!"
- Macanudo Portofino: Out-of-Stock, AF Curlyhead: $2.25
Burlingame Tobacconists : 1404 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame, CA 94010
{MAP}
650-343-3300 --- Hours: Mon-Sat: 9am-8pm, Sun: 10-4. Holidays: 10-4
A traditional tobacco store. They have a fantastic selection of cigars and accessories.. the best on the peninsula. Burlingame Tobacconists is one of the only Davidoff White Label appointed merchants. They also carry Opus X, Padron 1926s, and other hard to find cigars. Humidified (rental) storage lockers for customers cigars are available in their new, updated lounge. Update: Winter 2010: The newly redesigned lounge has 8 first-class aviation style leather chairs, two 46" plasma displays with surround sound. The Burlingame Tobacconists lounge is a quiet, great place to enjoy a beautiful Davidoff Double-R smoke while you are visiting the Bay Area or on a layover at SFO (San Francisco International Airport) as it is a quick cab ride (15 minute max with traffic) from the airport. For any of you bargain hunter box purchase customers, Burlingame Tobacconists will sell you ANY assorted 25 cigars with a box sale discount. For any of you mail order customers, Burlingame Tobacconists will pay your frieght for ANY $100.00 mail order purchase in the lower 48. Not too many shops do either of these things in the US.
*** VALENTINES DAY SPECIALS (GOOD THROUGH 2/14/11): Buy any 3 Rocky Patel - receive 1 FREE, Buy any 2 Cohiba - receive 1 FREE limited edition Celebramos, Buy any 2 A Turrent Triple Play - receive 1 FREE Upmann Cameroon! We have 3,4,5, and 7 cigar gift packs all at 20% off (Gift pack brands include Diamond Crown, Opus X, Partagas, La Gloria, Fonseca, Punch, Montecristo, Oliva).
Cigar Loft: 106 W 25th Avenue, San Mateo, CA
Located right across the street from Lucetti's Italian Restaurant.
650-312-1141 -- Hours: Mon-Sat 10-8, Sunday 10-6
Owner Will Shekaib has created a very nice place to smoke a cigar. Cigar Loft has a great selection of premium cigars. There is a spacious lounge in the back with very good ventiliation. There is also free WiFi, coffee, and a 50" plasma TV. Will and his staff are very welcoming and friendly. Visit their website at: http://www.cigarloft.net.
Cigars & More:: 666 Laurel Ave., San Carlos, CA.
650-596-9752 -- Hours: Mon-Sat 11-9, Sunday 11-5
In the heart of downtown San Carlos, Cigars and More is the one stop shop for any and all your tobacco enjoyment needs. Specializing in Fine Cigars, Glassware, and Accessories. Featuring Arturo Fuente, Ashton, Partagas, Padron, and Romeo y Julieta. Visit their website at: http://www.ronycigars.com/.
The Humboldt Tobacco Co.: 78 E. 21st Ave. (1 block east of El Camino Real), San Mateo, CA
Located 2 blocks northwest of Bay Meadows Racetrack in San Mateo.
{MAP}
650-341-0924 -- Hours: Mon, Thurs, Fri: 9-6, Sat: 11-6, Sun: 11-4, Closed Tuesday & Wednesday.
REVIEW UPDATED 1/4/09: The Humboldt Tobacco Company has officially received their Beer and Wine license; making it one of the only places in Northern California to legally enjoy a cigar with a glass of fine wine, beer, or port! Open Mic. on Saturday afternoons -- come in a listen to some tunes when you have the time!
REVIEW UPDATED 10/17/07: The Very Right Reverend Mark Underwood has truly
created a smoker's paradise among the industrial warehouses of 21st Avenue
in San Mateo. Humboldt still has the absolute best prices in Northern
California on cigarettes and cigars, and you cannot beat the laid back,
comfortable, friendly atmosphere Underwood has created. If you are lucky,
you'll hear a bit of live music while you are there too. The lounge in back
is reminiscent of a 1980's living room complete with 2 pool tables, couches,
chairs, a touch of neon, and those materialistic 80s posters with attractive
women flaunting the advantages of a high net worth. The front of
Underwood's shop still houses his commercial cigarette business. Simply
head to the back room to enter the cigar-smoker's paradise. Underwood's
well-seasoned walk-in humidor is always at 70% -- and is obsessively checked
twice per day, 7 days a week. His recent additions to his humidor include
such heralded selections as Greycliff, Avo 787s and Signatures, and the
Reserva Figurado La Gloria Cubanas -- all at prices that are tough to beat
unless you go online. After making your selection, enjoy your smoke at the
front counter for a "religious" experience or the complementary lounge in
back. I'm told that very soon now, Underwood is going to host "open mic"
music and cigar events. A quote from Mark Underwood says it all, "be kind,
be cool, be conscious." Be sure to visit The Humboldt Tobacco Company online at: http://www.humboldttobacco.com.
Old Knickerbockers Tobacconists : 555 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA
{MAP}
650-327-PIPE (7473) --- Hours: Mon-Sat: 10-9'ish, Sun: Closed.
Next to "BBC", the British Banker's Club (attached actually). Cigars, pipes, rare tobaccos, smoker's requisites.
Another opinion: I found the staff to very helpful and the store to be quite charming. Much better than the magazine shops so frequently found in the surrounding areas. This is one of the only shops (that I have seen) that has hard to find cigars usually in stock. (Second review by:
Garrett Gafke).
Editors note: Why not go check it out and decide for yourself?
- Macanudo Portofino: $7.33, AF Curlyhead: Out-of-stock.