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
Broadway Tobacconist : 2013 Broadway Ave. (@ Main St.), Redwood City, CA 94063
{MAP}
650-261-9657 --- Hours: M-Th:11-10 Fri/Sat:11-11, Sun:11-6.
This is a classic "old style" cigar shop/lounge that opened in downtown Redwood City in August 1996. It is owned by four Redwood City Police Officers. This is a very elegant shop with (70) humidified rental lockers, a chess table, current magazines and newspapers for leisure reading and two TVs for sports/news viewing and, of course, chairs and an overstuffed couch to relax and enjoy a smoke. Very friendly atmosphere. They feature a good selection of cigars and accessories for the most discriminating tastes.
- Macanudo Portofino: $7.09, AF Curlyhead: $3.85 (lots in-stock!)
Burlingame Tobacconists : 1404 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame, CA 94010
{MAP}
650-343-3300 --- Hours: Mon-Sat: 9-7, Sun: 10-4.
A traditional tobacco store. They have a fantastic selection of cigars and accessories.. possibly the best on the peninsula. Also, humidified (rental) storage lockers for customers cigars. A nice, pleasant store but their attitude and prices are reflective of the surrounding areas of Hillsborough and Burlingame. This new store is 2 doors up from the old one that was located on the corner for decades and is only a news stand now. Update: Summer 1998, they have reduced their cigar prices by 10%!
- Macanudo Portofino: $7.13, AF Curlyhead: Not-In-Stock (06-15-98)
Castro's Fine Cigars : 650 Castro Street, Suite 110, Mountain View, CA
(Cross street is El Camino Real)
650-962-1550 --- Hours: Unsure, open until about 9pm, 7 days.
This store opened around the end of April 98. I happened to
cruise in the week before they opened and had a good conversation
with the owner who is both friendly and knowledgeable. A very good selection of premium/super premium cigars. They carry all the usuals - Macanudo, A. Fuente, Partagas, Punch, H.Upman, etc. and even the new General Cigar Cohiba line. The whole store has a good HVAC system with some nice couches in
the main room and lounge in the back. I will try and get some price comparisons soon! (Review by: Kim Nguyen)
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-Sat: 10-6, Closed Sunday.
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. High prices and a snooty staff make this cramped little place a bit "uncomfortable" to visit.
Another opinion: I must disagree with the (above) review of this store. 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.