California is one of the more nonsmoker-friendly states in the U.S. Restaurants are almost entirely nonsmoking and not listed here. (You don't have to ask for a nonsmoking section or breathe smoke from the smoking "section" - it is almost never an issue anymore.) Smoking is also banned from bars, music venues, bowling alleys and pool halls, but enforcement is uneven. The following includes pubs, musical & other venues considered friendly to nonsmokers.
Hotels are another story. Smoking is banned from hotel restaurants, ballrooms and meeting rooms, and limited to 25% percent of lobby space (as if that meant anything). 5% of rooms are reserved for nonsmokers. Few hotels are *entirely* nonsmoking, including "health" resorts. Some exceptions are listed here and on the San Francisco page.
Smokefree casinos are a rarity anywhere. [See below in Alpine for an exception.]
CAMBRIA
Blue Dolphin Inn
6470 Moonstone Beach Drive
phone: 1-800-222-9157
fax: 1-805-927-7311
The ambiance of a European country inn meets spectacular ocean views, just steps from Moonstone Beach. Rates range from $89 - $199, including continental breakfast and afternoon refreshments.
Moonstone Hotels
Cambria Pines Lodge
2905 Burton Drive
phone: 1-800-445-6868
fax: 1-805-927-1610
Rustic elegance abounds across this historic 26-acre property featuring extraordinary gardens and a wealth of lodging options. Rates range from $89 - $309, including full buffet breakfast.
Moonstone Hotels
Creekside Inn
2618 Main Street
phone: 1-800-269-5212
fax: 1-805-927-7772
Just a brief stroll from Cambria's historic East Village, we offer affordable accommodations adjacent to a quiet and lush riparian habitat. Rates range from $69 - $129, including Continental breakfast.
Moonstone Hotels
Cypress Cove Inn
address: 6348 Moonstone Beach Drive
phone: 1-800-568-8517
fax: 1-805-927-3469
The Cypress Cove Inn on Moonstone Beach is evocative of an English bed & breakfast, with colorful gardens and quaint architecture. Rates range from $89 - $199 and include Continental breakfast.
Moonstone Hotels
FogCatcher Inn
6400 Moonstone Beach Drive
phone: 1-800-425-4121
fax: 1-805-927-0204
Boasting a cozy ambiance evocative of an English seaside village, just steps from Moonstone Beach. Outdoor pool and spa, stone fireplaces in every room. Rates range from $89 - $299, including expanded Continental breakfast.
Moonstone Hotels
J. Patrick House B&B
2990 Burton Drive
800-341-5258 805-927-3812 Fax: 805-927-6759
Log cabin B&B on smoke-free, tree shaded grounds. Rooms with wood burning fireplaces. Near the ocean.
Pelican Suites
6316 Moonstone Beach Drive
phone: 1-800-222-9160
fax: 1-805-927-0218
Old world luxury meets first-class amenities at this elegant AAA Four Diamond all-suite getaway on Moonstone Beach. Rates range from $189 - $359, including expanded Continental breakfast, afternoon tea service and wine tasting and evening dessert and coffee.
Moonstone Hotels
Sand Pebbles Inn
6252 Moonstone Beach Drive
phone: 1-800-222-9970
fax: 1-805-927-0393
European-style country decor, expansive ocean views and intimate accommodations are among the attributes that make Sand Pebbles Inn the very best value on Moonstone Beach. Rates range from $69 - $199, including Continental breakfast and afternoon refreshments.
Moonstone Hotels
Sea Otter Inn
6656 Moonstone Beach Drive
phone: 1-800-965-8347
fax: 1-805-927-5805
A short walk from the water's edge, all of our rooms offer a fireplace and warm country style. Heated pool and spa. Rates range from $89 - $199, including Continental breakfast.
Moonstone Hotels
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HAYWARD
The Bistro
1001 B Street (at Main Street) (510) 886-8525
Smokefree bar with live music. (!)
Jazz, alt rock, blues, Latin, bluegrass. Music almost every
night.
Soups, salads & sandwiches; microbrews on tap.
Airy, clean, beautiful counter, friendly crew.
Good sound system. Tables out on the street on warm days.
Some smokers outside, but not many, and not near the tables.
Cheers Tavern
Also on B Street, just down the block from The Bistro.
Neon lights, basic bar, no food, piped-in music (not
loud enough to interfere with conversation).
It is nonsmoking, though
you have to dodge the smokers to get in &
people inside seem to be marking time between cigarettes.
There's a pool room with two tables.
Both places are on a quiet street with easy parking.
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HUNTINGTON BEACH
Centerfield Sports Bar & Grill
17296 Beach Boulevard (at Slater) (714) 848-0113
Sports bar, American cuisine.
California bars are - in principle - smoke free as of 1999.
However, this is not always the case.
Centerfield made a point of publicizing itself as smokefree.
They offer Sunday brunch, happy hour weekdays 4-7, comedy,
karaoke, dancing with live bands and a DJ.
Daily10am-1:30am
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MONTEREY
Bow Tie Billiards
511 Tyler Street (408) 647-1809
Tournaments on Thursdays.
The Monterey Hotel
406 Alvarado Street
phone: 1-800-727-0960
fax: 1-831-375-2899
Located in the heart of downtown Monterey, just steps from Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf and The Monterey Bay Aquarium, The Monterey Hotel has been restored to its original Victorian splendor. Rates range from $89 - $259, including expanded Continental breakfast, afternoon tea and evening milk and cookies.
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
400 Cannery Row (800) 334-3999 or (831) 646-1700
Luxury hotel with conference facilities, on Cannery Row near the ocean, convenient to kayaking, whale watching and scuba diving.
Part of the Woodside Hotel & Resorts chain, all rated AAA Four Diamond.
The chain went completely smokefree in both guestrooms and public areas
in mid-April 2000.
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PALM SPRINGS
Caliente Tropics Resort
411 East Palm Canyon Drive tel 760 327-1391 fax 760 318-1883
email- info@Calientetropics.com
Newly restored 90-room tiki and Polynesian playground in America's "desert playground" with the classic 60s Polynesian architecture and feel. Originally opened in 1964, the resort played host to locals and celebrities, including the Rat Pack. 65-foot swimming pool...10-person therapeutic pool...shuffle board...completely renovated guestrooms...complimentary continental breakfast...on-site dining...nightly hosted cocktail reception...turndown service...ceiling fans...voicemail and dataports. Soon to come: in-room refreshment centers and a fitness center. Nearby is the spectacular aerial tramway. You can hike, ride horseback, fish, ski, play golf, or bask in the sun. Pet owners take note: they are pet friendly.
The resort is COMPLETELY smokefree, even at the pool, not something you can take for granted in Palm Springs. The management says they are very proud to operate a resort that offers a haven from second hand smoke. After all, they say, one of their biggest selling features is the magnificant mountain views and the clean air!
La Mancha Villas and Spa Resort
444 Avenida Caballeros
phone: 1-866-673-7501
fax: 1-760-323-5928
A magical 22-acre expanse of desert luxury and seclusion, featuring one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, many with private pool and spa. Spa Aldonza offers an array of soothing treatments. Seven tennis courts. Don Quixote Tapas Bar and Restaurant. Rates range from $89 - $799.
Moonstone Hotels
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SAN DIEGO
If you walk down Fifth Street in Old San Diego (the
Gaslamp Quarter downtown), and throw a rock, you will
hit a bar. No, don't throw rocks! Here are some nonsmoking bars.
Thanks again to Matt who
bravely scouted out these places! (Well,someone
had to go.)
Buffalo Joe's
600 Fifth Avenue (619) 236-1616
Food, cocktails, live entertainment, dancing.
Surf'n'turf type food. Happy hour 4-7.
Opens daily at 11, serves lunch, dinner and a late night menu.
Dick's Last Resort
300 block of Fifth Street, between J & K (619) 231-9100
Live music and food, no cover. Surf'n'turf.
Lunch and dinner.
Mon-Thurs open till 1am, Fri-Sun, open till 1:30 am.
The Field
544 Fifth Avenue (619) 232-9840
Irish pub and restaurant.
Fun, mellow and interesting people.
Moose McGillicuddy's
535 Fifth Ave. (619) 702-5595
Seafood, steak, burgers and pizza.
Happy hour, TV.
Also try
Hang Ten Brewing Company (Fifth Street)
Baja Brewing Company
SAN JOSE
The Wine Galleria
377 S. First St. (408) 298-1386
11am-midnight
Quiet, relaxed wine bar featuring local wines.
Thanks Lucia!
Sadly we can no longer recommend Gordon Biersch Brewery & restaurant on San Fernando Street.
A customer states:
"There IS smoking in the outside garden area ... the staff keeps the doors open all the time,
allowing the smoke to come into the inside dining area. That's a topic all to itself. I've seen all too often...that places will prop the doors open, and people will be smoking right by the door. Usually there is a breeze blowing the smoke right into the building."
SANTA BARBARA
Be Bop Burger Big Swing Dance Competition
1st Saturday evening of every month
Be Bop Burger (one block up from the pier)
111 State Street (805) 966-1956
"Stomp Out Tobacco" Sober and Drug-Free Community Event
Free!! Eclectic crowd of swing dance aficionados.
Live swing music and dance competitions.
See their web site: http://www.bebopburgers.com
Thanks Derrick!
Inn of the Spanish Garden
915 Garden Street (805) 708-4787
Santa Barbara's newest (August 2001) luxury hotel, located in the city's oldest historical neighborhood. 23 spacious guest rooms with business desk, fireplace, minibar, full bath, private patio. Breakfast included. Totally smokefree.
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SANTA CLARA
C & J's Sports Bar
1550 Lafayette Street (408) 247-4027
Lots o TV sets, and live music.
11am-2am daily.
Thanks to Tom Digby!
Santa Clara Billiards
4525 Stevens Creek Blvd. (408) 296-3333
$10/hour. Thursday-Saturday till 4am.
Mostly caters to young adults. Modern decor.
You have to walk through a crowd of smokers to get in.
City Lights Espresso
1171 Homestead Road (408) 296-0415
Live acoustic music, 20-something crowd.
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