Buying Pipe Tobacco in SoCal

[Dylan]

I'm going to be getting into pipe smoking later this week. Unfortunately, ordering online is not possible for me due to senseless mail rules where I live. This means I will have to go to brick-and-mortar places for pipes and pipe tobacco.
Of course, there are dedicated tobacconist shops, but none are within convenient distance to me. Is pipe tobacco still carried by pharmacies and gas stations in SoCal? Can anyone in the Orange County area identify any non-pipe shops and/or chains which carry pipe tobacco?

 

[Auxsender]

I’m pretty sure that in California, if you’re over the age of 21, it is lawful to send and receive tobacco shipments. Perhaps you’re under 21.

There is a Tinder Box in Costa Mesa. They for sure sell pipe tobacco.

 

[Dylan]

I’m pretty sure that in California, if you’re over the age of 21, it is lawful to send and receive tobacco shipments. Perhaps you’re under 21.

There is a Tinder Box in Costa Mesa. They for sure sell pipe tobacco.

I should have been more descriptive. I can't receive any packages at all at the moment due to some rules where I live. That's why I have to go to a brick-and-mortar place.

 

[MikeDub]

Where in OC do you live?

 

[Dylan]

Where in OC do you live?

Aliso Viejo

 

[MikeDub]

Tobacco Barn in Lake Forest used to have a decent selection but I haven’t been there in years so not sure if that’s still the case.

If the drive to South Coast isn’t too far for you Tinder Box is by far your best bet

 

[Dylan]

Tobacco Barn in Lake Forest used to have a decent selection but I haven’t been there in years so not sure if that’s still the case.

If the drive to South Coast isn’t too far for you Tinder Box is by far your best bet

Thanks for the recommendations.

Tobacco Barn of Lake Forest now seems to be called "CigarSpots" according to their Instagram page.

There's another CigarSpots within walking distance of me. Perhaps they have some pipe tobacco there.

 

[MikeDub]

Yeah it’s been awhile so it might be worth it to call ahead.

Usually the smoke shops that aren’t exclusively head or vape shops will have some captain black pouches/tubs and some cobs if that’s what you’re looking for

 

[Dylan]

Yeah it’s been awhile so it might be worth it to call ahead.

Usually the smoke shops that aren’t exclusively head or vape shops will have some captain black pouches/tubs and some cobs if that’s what you’re looking for

I'm definitely calling ahead...

There's other shops around, but pipe smokers are an unfortunately small demographic.

I'm not looking for anything fancy. Stuff like Captain Black is more than fine. I just want something to hold me over as I learn to smoke. Once I live somewhere else or can figure out a way to get tobacco from online sources I will move on.

By the way, do you know what outdoor places are good/bad spots for smoking? I have no idea if it's fine or not to just take a night walk around town with a pipe. I was thinking of just finding a secluded spot somewhere.

 

[pipesbywoo]

If you're willing to make the trip up to Culver City in Los Angeles, I recommend the Tobacco Trader. Half of the store is dedicated to cigars and the other half to pipes and pipe tobacco. They carry a lot of nice pipes and not only have all pipe tobacco staples always in stock, they often get new release drops as well. Their bulk selection is also very good. I highly recommend going in to meet Ana and/or Manny there - they're top notch tobacconists. Here's their website: Tobacco Trader - Home - https://www.tobaccotraderla.com/
Regarding shipping to SoCal, I live in Los Angeles and have never had an issue except for a few small vendors that won't ship to California.

 

[sablebrush52]

I'm going to be getting into pipe smoking later this week. Unfortunately, ordering online is not possible for me due to senseless mail rules where I live. This means I will have to go to brick-and-mortar places for pipes and pipe tobacco.
Of course, there are dedicated tobacconist shops, but none are within convenient distance to me. Is pipe tobacco still carried by pharmacies and gas stations in SoCal? Can anyone in the Orange County area identify any non-pipe shops and/or chains which carry pipe tobacco?

I should have been more descriptive. I can't receive any packages at all at the moment due to some rules where I live. That's why I have to go to a brick-and-mortar place.

Rent a mailbox. My Ex now lives in Mission Viejo and her Orwellian planned community has all sorts of odd rules. If you get down to San Diego, visit Liberty Tobacco.

 

[MikeDub]

I'm definitely calling ahead...

There's other shops around, but pipe smokers are an unfortunately small demographic.

I'm not looking for anything fancy. Stuff like Captain Black is more than fine. I just want something to hold me over as I learn to smoke. Once I live somewhere else or can figure out a way to get tobacco from online sources I will move on.

By the way, do you know what outdoor places are good/bad spots for smoking? I have no idea if it's fine or not to just take a night walk around town with a pipe. I was thinking of just finding a secluded spot somewhere.

I’ve gone to some of our local parks when I want to read and smoke on a nice day. 99% of the time I just walk my community and smoke my pipe so that’s what I would recommend if it’s not against the rules. You might get some weird looks but that’s never bothered me

 

[Dylan]

Rent a mailbox. My Ex now lives in Mission Viejo and her Orwellian planned community has all sorts of odd rules. If you get down to San Diego, visit Liberty Tobacco.

Don't mailmen need to check for one's ID when delivering pipe tobacco in California? If so, doesn't that mean that they simply don't deliver to rented mailboxes?

 

[Dylan]

I’ve gone to some of our local parks when I want to read and smoke on a nice day. 99% of the time I just walk my community and smoke my pipe so that’s what I would recommend if it’s not against the rules. You might get some weird looks but that’s never bothered me

I've looked up my local ordnance and they forbid smoking around playgrounds and I think they also forbid smoking around parks in general.

Nothing is said about sidewalks though. I'm guessing it's fine to have a bowl when out for a walk.

 

[AJL67]

I should have been more descriptive. I can't receive any packages at all at the moment due to some rules where I live.

Prison?

 

[sablebrush52]

Prison?

No, Orange County, not that there’s a big difference…

 

[sablebrush52]

Don't mailmen need to check for one's ID when delivering pipe tobacco in California? If so, doesn't that mean that they simply don't deliver to rented mailboxes?

They’re supposed to check your ID, but I never had one do that. They just left the box at the door..
Are you underage? Are we aiding a 12 year old?
I was going to mention Tobacco Barn, but their business had changed to pretty much cigars.

 

[elvishrunes]

Yeah hit up cigar shops, you should find the odd pouch…. As much as reputation precedes a place, as long as you are not near kids in parks I’d wager anything no one will harass you, most will compliment. California is actually one the original freedom areas as hard is that to believe now... My guess is there is now a cannabis shop on almost block, so most will assume you are smoking pot anyhow...

Edit: yes the OP felt young, if you are too young like under 18 wait a bit, and pipes aren’t meant to be inhaled, just puffed on.

 

[Dylan]

I can't quite put my thumb on why it is happening, but people are getting the incorrect impression that I'm underage.

Is it because I mentioned getting ID'd? It must be a problem with reading comprehension. I last brought it up because if I have something delivered to a rented mailbox, and I'm not there to get ID'd (the most likely outcome), then the package may not be delivered. The first time I brought it up was because my complex has draconian mail rules which involve payments and such. I guess I wasn't clear enough. If I were "much afeared" of getting ID'd, then why have I entertained several times the idea of visiting a brick-and-mortar store? Again, reading comprehension cannot be done without.

I am quite young but am of legal smoking age as of recently. And I do know how to handle a pipe based on knowledge preened from YouTube; I just haven't tried to till now due to the legality of the ordeal. Of course, that didn't stop me from stocking up on matches and pipe cleaners.

 

[Dylan]

My guess is there is now a cannabis shop on almost block, so most will assume you are smoking pot anyhow...

That is something I have taken into account...
Perhaps many will be more lenient, being under the impression that I am some fellow man of the narcotic.