The Cave

Walked out cause it took over 6 minutes to be helped. All I wanted was a pack of swishers …

Friendly service and great selection, but the prices are unreasonably high. I saw my exact glass piece there for almost double the price of what I paid at another glass shop. Good for browsing to see what you want, but buy from a more reasonably priced shop.

Came here today to look at dab rigs. Brandon was very helpful, gave me a good explanation of what was needed, and put together a package of everything at a great price for me.

I had a lot of questions about a water pipe. Cody (sorry if I misspelled) was super nice and super informative. He knew exactly what I was looking for, so he got everything together for me and explained everything from cleaning to how it all works. Also want to thank the woman working there that was sorting stuff from the plastic bins. I didn’t get her name. But thank you huge to both of you for all your help!!! I’ll be back :-)

The staff here is great and the products – well if you can’t find what you’re looking it probably doesn’t exist. They have a beautiful selection of art glass so give yourself time to browse. I keep going back just to add to my gear. No need to buy online anywhere else – their website works well and they give you the option to buy it and pick it up at the store.

This place is ridiculous. I went in to buy double coils got my wax pen and was sold an expensive one, but I figured, hey, it’s a nice place it’ll work fine. Well, it didn’t fit with any of my pen pieces, which I tried when my husband and I got back in the car and were sitting in the parking lot. So we go right back inside and explain the situation. They said there was nothing they could do. You can’t even trade me a different coil? This one wasn’t even used. I can’t do anything with this. They were rude, so we just left and went to Cloudy Daze in Belmont (where we usually go) and I bought the double coils there, but because of all my trouble he have me a FREE battery. The cave’s customer service: 0 stars. Overpriced, but looks nice inside.

This place is exceptional. They carry a huge supply of goods, with many specialty items and high end brand names that can be challenging to find elsewhere. This is easily my favorite smoke shop in the entire bay area. Bought a new Cosmic Super Shredder last night and I’m very happy with it.

First time coming to The Cave and buying a vape pen, came out satisfied! The guy who helped me out and gave me a good deal was excellent ! I would most likely come back for pens and glass later in the future. Already recommend a friend to come and buy here, thank you!

Brought a new juice for my vape and you just use the «new» tips and if you already know how to use a vape and you would accommodate yourself to try the juices. IF YOU ARE NEW, then you will have to ask for assistance. They are really chill here but also provide service and very good information on the bongs, pipes, trippy stix, etc.
Brandon was a great help as well! Not pricey here or too cheap.

I have been coming here for years and been totally satisfied with all my purchases. They have new glass and local artists that sell their glass here. I purchased so many products here. I wish they had a customer rewards program because they definitely take handful of my money. It would be nice if they offered more sales on local artist work too.

This place screws me over way to often.
I used to go here for everything from papers to glass n vape for years.
Last week I bought a part for my box mod so I can dab. After about 3 – 5 days of light use the following happened.
1. Threading completely stripped off the atomizer although it was never forced or dropped. No abuse and it strips?
2. After three coils it still hits inconsistently sometimes it heats up sometimes partially and then others not at all
3. Atomizer won’t screw on any mod or battery but all other atomizers do.
I went in thinking the would be cool and just swap the base… not the wick and top but the base. Nope basically got told as was stupid by some mascara wearing guy trying to say a 510 thread doesn’t fit a 510 thread device. He tried to get his coworker to confirm his story but his coworker sided with me and offered to do the swap.
Mascara guy comes back over and threatens the guy that if does that he’ll get fired. I then get offered 50% off a new unit of the same kind after they admit that the issue I am experiencing is common and that they are aware of it. I ask for half off the broken one and that they could keep it, but no only possible solution was to continue to offer me 50% off know defective merchandise. Over the years I’ve spent close to 8k in this shop. Because of a stupid 25 dollar annoyance I will actively steer people away from this shop and it’s ridiculous staff.
To the young man who understands what customer service means thank you and sorry your job was put on the line for 25 dollars

I love this place, and I have a big love for glass but I shouldn’t be treated and followed by a tall guy like imma steal something when I got hundreds of dollars visible on me

Been coming here about a year now. Cool place, chill people, and the best prices on swishers in the neighborhood! They have literally everything smoke related, you could ever need. Solid place!

Came here after the piece I bought after writing my first review was in an accident :(I got almost 6 years with an amazing unique piece that was still in perfect condition (had it not fallen off a ledge). New location is now conveniently located on el camino and I believe this new location is larger. Still awesome customer service and the selection you can’t beat! There are plenty of smoke shops around where I live but taking the time to go out of my way to the cave is definitely worth your while; you won’t be disappointed!

Well first off I’ll start by saying I created a Unilocal account just to relay a few segments of my most unpleasant experience today at The Cave in San Mateo. Having shopped here before for numerous items, I have always been treated as a valued client.
After today’s experience, those feelings of happiness and value are long gone.
So, today I came in to browse around and look for some new toys and glassware. I asked a few questions to the sales clerk that was assisting me, and ended up finding something I liked. Everything was good.
I came to check out and this is when my customer experience went down the drain…
I handed the clerk (older man wearing hat) my credit card which he began to swipe. Moments later he says it is declined. Hmm definitely should not be the case. Call my bank and they say it is all good to charge away. He continue to try numerous times with no avail, and starts bashing me about how «it’s your cards fault man, you might be maxed over» and «we’re wasting time» wow.
Beside the fact that your card reading machine may be offline etc, you never bash a customer verbally (mind you other customers are in the store) EVER.
In complete disgust and embarrassment I left the store with no merchandise, just a bucket full of attitude from the salesclerk.
I understand that technology fails sometimes, but service is just as important in situations like these. The Cave has lost a good customer, and I hope no one else endures an experience like this in the future.

I have gone many times to this fine establishment and I must say that every time I’ve been there I have received help and knowledge about just about damn near anything and everything. From handheld glass pieces, to vaporizers and especially water pipe.
Now let me say this and I’ll try not to say it again. There is no other smoke shop in the San Francisco Peninsula that you can find where the employees are always kind, helpful and if you ask a question you will surely get the answer you need not want.
Now we get to talk about Keith. Keith is the man when it comes to the cave. He mixes knowledge and fact with experience and anecdotes. He has wisdom that whenever I ask him about something I’m looking for and he set me up with what will get me the most bang for my buck.
Oh and shoutout to the guy who sold me my bong. I can remember his name but he helped me find the perfect piece
In conclusion, the cave is way more hospitable then the name would leave you to believe
Keep up the good work gentlemen

I hate to give the cave a bad review, but they really screwed a young woman into paying a ton of money on something she didn’t even want.
I bought a «dab house sidecar rig» that came with two nails and a dome. The piece was priced at $ 200, I also bought a carb cap strung without a dabber. This was on a Tuesday. Now i should’ve asked the return policy, but I was so excited it slipped my mind.
I went back on a Friday afternoon, disappointed with the nail the piece came with as it was way too small. I had barely used the piece, and I know how strict smoke shops are about returning used pieces. I cleaned and packed up the piece to see if they could help me fit a bigger nail.
There were 5 people behind the counter, with no customers at the time. The first associate tried to help me with the problem, but it seemed the piece could only be used with one of the two nails it came with, because the dome it came with was so little it would not fit over a bigger nail.
Eventually, another associate helped fit a titanium dome less nail on the piece, and said this was the only other option for my newly, barely used piece. Since they wouldn’t take the piece back, I felt I had no other option but to buy this new nail.
At the time, it felt like he was doing me a favor, charging me a discounted price for this new nail. Looking back, I ended up spending a lot more money on something I didn’t even want and wasn’t happy with. I hadn’t even used the carb cap but because they have a «no return policy», they wouldn’t take it back. He didn’t even throw in a free can of butane, and charged me for it.
In the end, the piece is working with the new nail, so I guess it worked out.(hence the star rating) I am on a student budget, and ended up spending around $ 340 on equipment, some of which I will never use. Sad to say, but I am probably going to look for a new place to buy my smoking products. I will probably end up telling anyone I talk to about «the cave» this story, because I felt really ripped off when I go there frequently. Follow me on Instagram @dabsnob to see the piece in use though.

The Cave is the ONLY place to shop for high quality hand blown glass in the bay area. I come here for all my Scientific or Heady glass needs. They are also always well equipped with any attachments, tools, or accessories I might need.
& Lastly, love the staff! All very friendly, educated and helpful!

I purchased a trippy stix about 4 months ago — with the promise from an older gentleman that sold me the item that they were an authorized dealer and that if there were ever any issues I could bring it in and they would replace it on the spot. Sadly, that is not the case.
My trippy stix broke, the activator has since come loose and the battery is now able to be removed and it isn’t holding a charge like it should.
I went to the store, first their new «vape» store, which BTW they are not what you think when it comes to «vape» its for tobacco as in no concentrates, so walking in there be prepared to be bombarded by 4 people behind the counter, who are beyond rude because you smoke concentrate not tobacco! WTF, I am sorry…
So I go to the cave explain the situation, and I tell them what happened and what I was told — they called me a liar — told me that they would never promise such things to a customer and that I was WRONG, and that because of what I «smoke» out of it they cant take it back — keep in mind I was trying to exchange the activator not a cartridge nothing that I «smoked» would have in fact touched the activator…
I felt like a total ass — I have spent quite a bit of money in this store — and never have I been so disappointed in their service then this incident — I was not only lied to by the older man when I purchased my trippy stix but now I am being belittled because I was doing what I was told to do — and to make matters even better, they promised that they track all the trippy stix by their ID number — and that they would be able to tell where it was purchased — and no receipt would be required if there were ever an issue. I am so upset that a 100+ dollar piece of equipment has just been gone to waste.
Again, if you’re looking for a great vape store — go down to redwood city, obviously telling them what you’re smoking shouldn’t matter — you can get a great new vape pen for around $ 30+
Sorry, CAVE you should have kept your WORD and followed through — now all my concentrate smoking friends will be told what a horrible experience I had at your location, and I am also going to be blogging about this so all my readers can know about the service I’ve received.

By far the best glass in the bay area. They have everything from darby. inner fire.salt.zack.aaron.the list goes on. So today my man and I went to the city to check out glass shops we went to 6 shops only one had good shit. Puff puff pass go figure lol. Anyways this is the best shop. The people are great the owner chuck is a super nice guy blake is the man to chat it up about glass. This place I give an A++ one for knowledge 2 for great selection and 3 for customer service.