Hi,
I'm from Belgium and perhaps the last smoking freak ....(smile)
Last time I was in California I still could find some restaurants and bars where I could smoke one after diner or with the drinks.

They told me that's over now !
Are there really no restaurants/bars anymore where freaks like me can have dinner or drinks ??
I will stay for 3 days in SF and then take a 2 week drive to San Diego.
Thanks

Sorry---no smoking in bars/restaurants at least in the Bay area. Also, many hotels have no smoking rooms and most B&Bs are smoke free as well. Maybe you could take this opportunity to try to stop?? We have a good friend who lives in Brussels with whom we just had a lovely dinner in SF, but he clearly missed his cigarettes! On the other hand, we hate the smokey bars and restaurants of Europe, but hey, when in Rome.......enjoy California!

It is definitely different than the last time you were here. However, if the restaurant or bar has a patio that is classified as "outdoors" you can still smoke.

Another thing I have noticed is that compliance is sort of self-policing. There are some "old school" places that openly defy the laws. Obviously, enforcement is spotty unless the authorities decide to make an example out of a place. But for the most part, especially in the finer restaurants, it is enforced by the management and compliance is expected.

I, for one, enjoy having a beer or dinner without the unsolicited (and unwelcome) guest of secondhand smoke. Anyway, hope you still enjoy your visit.

Forget about it!! A few places allow smoking in their patio areas, but even that is really doubtful. Remember if you go to Del Mar (outside of San Diego) you cannot smoke in any public area.

Having been in LA and SF in the last year, I found that John is correct- we were able to smoke on most (not all) outdoor patios- we were also able to find bars in both places (and quite a few places in between, for that matter) that allowed patrons to smoke. Sometimes, we would see others smoking, and just ask if it was ok-- other times, I would step outside for a smoke, and upon my return, the bartender would produce an ashtray and tell me I could smoke inside.
In my experience, you will not find a restaurant in which you will be allowed to smoke, and the bars that let you smoke are of the neighborhood, corner bar variety (as opposed to trendy, upscale clubs).
Good luck!

...I should add that I haven't been to San Diego since the no-smoking law went into effect, so I have no idea what the situation will be there...

Dear Bal Luc,

You are correct, as everyone else has informed you, that there is no smoking indoors at all in California. Lots of restaurants still have outdoor areas where you can smoke, though, and if you are coming this spring, it will be lovely dining outdoors anyway. You do have to "shop" around though. So when you see a restaurant or bar that you want to go in, just ask up front if there is a smoking area. You'll have fun anyway - welcome to my home state
Lisa

WHAT????????? did I read right?????
You mean I can't fill the air of my favorite bar with my toxins anymore????
Darn,,I was just doing my part for population control ya know??
But lets get real folks..this ain't the 60's..its about time people woke up about second hand smoke...and for all you with kids in the house STILL puffing away indoors...two words for you "child abuse"

I will not visit or vacation in the prison they call California! Talk about uptight! All those do gooders can 'breath clearly" now as they all step over homeless people on their way to another sterile environment. Stand up and do something that REALLY counts! Jerks!

Well as a former smoker I can honestly say, that smoky pubs and restaurants used to bug me even when I was chugging down 2 packs a day, believe it or not! But generally speaking the weather in L.A is so nice (except for the last 2 weeks) that you can sit outside on the patio and smoke to your hearts content. Some restaurants, bars and clubs also have heaters out there so that you can stay warm and avoid catching cold, while catching lung cancer.

Gee, John, what a threat. I just don't know how California will survive without you!
Let me guess....you're a smoker!

Hey James... you missed the point...

Why did I know this would deteriorate? Bal Luc was looking for answers not a lecture on morality.

Kam> morality has nothing to do with it my friend, its commen sense...

Ya Know, James, if you are an American, you're the kind that gives us all a bad name, it's no wonder people in Europe think we're a bunch of pompus idiots.

Bal Luc - please forgive us for having James as one of our own - he doesn't represent us all. Have a great trip to the Bay area and San Diego!!

I passed the Big Seven-O a few months ago. I'm a Californian AND A SMOKER. If you want a truly delightful dining experience, try the patio of the Blue Moon Saloon in Redondo Beach. You can not only watch the westering sun, you can smoke.

For those of you who are ex-smokers and fanatics on "second-hand smoke," I love to travel but do not want to forego smoking for 19 hours on a transAtlantic flight. So I'm eschewing American carriers and flying to Russia and Nepal on Aeroflot. Watch out for the DOW!!!

To John,
To bad you can't ask Morton Dowey Jr. about smoking. He used to think like you until he had a lung removed 4 years ago and yesterday he died. We don't mind if you are willing to bind yourself with a slow death but just don't try to take us non users with you. Just go outside to have your poison and we in Calif. will live with the stench of your clothes and breath for as long as you have it. Those little oxygen containers are real cute that they take around. Maybe you could paint yours a nice color. Smoke your fool head off, just do it outside, Buck

khemi, didn't you mean DOA instead of DOW?

Maybe if he doesn't arrive DOA courtesy of Aeroflop he can check the DOW after he gets back home and kisses the ground after deplaning. Oh, and take a good industrial grade degreaser and a roll of paper towels cause those plane seats are pretty greasy from the disgusting "meat" they sling at you under the guise of dinner. No napkins, either.

No, you won't be able to smoke in public anywhere here, but if it's any consolation, you can engage in sex in public (especially same gender sex) and booze it up and then drive home with only a wrist slap if you murder someone with your car.