I was on the hunt for a specific magazine that had Lady Gaga on it. I went to every supermarket in and around my neighborhood, called up all the local bookstores, and even went to Barnes & Noble outside the city. Nobody had it. Couldn't buy it online. I found Smoke Signals on Yelp and gave them a call and asked if they had it. "Yes, of course." Of course?? I drove right over and he had a whole stack of them waiting for me. But although I got what I came here for, I took my time perusing his expansive collection of magazines. absolutely incredible inventory. You have magazines from all over the world, limited editions, special editions, etc. The fashion collection alone is a collector's dream. He has it all - business, politics, sports, cooking, hunting, tabloids, adult magazines. If it exists, he probably has it. Of course, he also has a pretty wide variety of newspapers, and a section full of cigars. This is one of those stores that are just so niche, which makes them really special. I will be sure to buy any magazines from here in the future, instead of some big-box store. Check it out! You'll be sure to find something you enjoy here. read more

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I cannot say enough to praise this store elegantly. It is a gift to the City to be able to peruse the great variety here in a cool setting! I got 3 cycling mags completely unavailable anywhere it seems - I can spend forever and a day here! read more

Smoke Signals - Store front - store on W side of Polk - Newspapers & Magazines Near Me - San Francisco, California

A good selection of magazines. Friendly staff. I found what I was looking for. Worth a visit.

I really like this magazine shop ...I'm not sure who at school would too..last year I visited dupont circle ...fun magazine shop ..independent picks ..magazine boom of 1990 ..inexpensive magazines every week ..all year ..magazines boomed ..now they r $15 ...the old companies offer special issues ...time 100 ...independent art magazines ..inflated $15 ..something to hand out in DuPont circle spring day in wash dc ..it's 2025 ..not 1995...reissues traditions ..we keep read more

It's our "go to place" for magazines. Drive there from San Jose because it's the only place with high quality selection on fashion magazines we could find. read more

The most comprehensive, eclectic newstand and inspired magazine collection can be found in this treasure trove on Polk Street in San Francisco! I used to live on the other side of town and made special trips to this shop to get all my favorite magazines. Then, about 5 years ago I had the opportunity to move to Russian Hill, where I'd now be in walking distance of Smoke Signals and Fadi, the kind, intentional curator and owner of the shop. Years later it's my neighborhood & I'm still a regular visitor, customer and fangirl of this magical spot. read more

Smoke Signals - Newspapers & Magazines Near Me - San Francisco, California

Excellent magazine collection, friendly and knowledgeable owner, and his assistant, Ms Pebbles the shih tzu, always makes for an enjoyable customer experience. Plus, you could become a millionaire by buying your lottery tickets here He also sells a solid collection of cigars (and more) for those who partake. read more

One of the few remaining shops focused on magazines, newspapers and assorted items. The magazine selection is huge! European fashion (French, German, British,etc), Business journals (MIT, Harvard, Stanford and more). I like the business, lifestyle and travel periodicals myself. Of course my newspapers of choice (the New York Times and Wall Street Journal) are available here. There is also the Financial Times of London. Table top magazines that home stagers adore as well the savvy homemaker get their magazines here! If you love to read and feel the crisp pages as you do so, stop Smoke Signals. Say hello to the owner and his lapso apso dog! read more

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Nice magazine shop. Helpful person at counter. Good selection. Hard to find a magazine shop these days and this is the real deal.

So happy I found this place. Wide selection to choose from. Be sure to ask the clerk for something you don't see. Paper rules! read more

I love this little store. I love it because they are so keenly focused on providing the best selection of high quality magazines in the entire San Francisco Bay Area. The owner lets me browse in peace for as long as I like, but is there to answer any question I might have, with kindness and a friendly attitude. His dog is cool - he's a little old and sits in his dog bed beside the register and watches you, hoping you find your favorite magazines, and maybe something new. read more

Smoke Signals - Best magazine source in the Bay Area - Newspapers & Magazines Near Me - San Francisco, California

Incredible magazine shop that I was happy to find in SF. A huge selection of almost every subject matter thinkable. I had been looking all over the place for one of my favorite music mags and BAM, there it was ! Will frequent this spot monthly and it's in a great location filled with shops, restaurants, etc.. read more

Smoke Signals features a YUGE selection of general circulation and specialized newspapers/magazines, including foreign. The only downside is that there are so many of them, that they're sometimes too densely stacked to figure out what's for sale. I'm not sure what their browsing rules are, but Smoke Signals could give the nearby Russian Hill Books a run for time among the "stacks". I'm especially appreciative that in this digital age, analog reading options are making a stand, and hopefully successfully. The name of this place also tells you that tobacco products are sold. Snacks and Lotto tickets are also available for purchase. read more

Smoke Signals - Newspapers & Magazines Near Me - San Francisco, California

Love this shop. As many have shared, unfortunately magazines & shops with a wide selection are few and far between nowadays. They've got a wide selection of magazines - specializing in imports. My only hang up is the prices are steep (sometimes seeming excessive), but its a speciality store, so take it or leave it for the wide options you've given. Food for thought, buying a few magazines should get you a discount or maybe a stamp card program? Tl;dr support a local business and a nowadays speciality focus. You won't find these magazines anywhere else in the city (Dazed, ID, AnOther, Interview, etc). read more

Phenomenal coffee table Books on classic European sports cars & luxury wristwatches. A humidor cabinet of fine cigars. Owner is an enthusiast. What's not to love? read more

The most impressive newspaper & magazine joint in the city. And if you need a pack of Dunhill's, they've got you covered. I quit smoking ages ago, but this place makes me a little nostalgic for those days. A fresh pack of Dunhill's & the new issue of Vogue or W? The Fashionista Diet. It's neatly packed w all the basics (Time), the favorites (Vogue), & the avant garde (titles I've never even heard of). My man even found something new for him; Baseball America. The owner is polite & helpful. He lets you freely peruse without disturbance. When I asked for a certain title, he immediately guided me to what I was looking for, right from behind the counter. And he always says hello & goodbye. I'd had a manicure/pedicure appointment recently & my nail salon had 2 brand new beauty magazine issues. One of them ran a feature I wanted to have for reference, so I came by here to buy it. Only I couldn't remember exactly which issue it was. The owner let me endlessly browse the pages to make sure that it was indeed the issue I wanted. All while I had my handbag plopped on top of his counter. He didn't flinch. He really didn't seem to mind. Props for that. The full service newspaper & magazine shop is a dying breed. This place is a real gem. 5 stars. read more

Smoke Signals - They carry Baseball America. My man likes to come in here now. - Newspapers & Magazines Near Me - San Francisco, California

I needed TONS of magazines for a client project - and they had everything!!! Plus they were so sweet. Definitely recommend!!!

Can't believe how hard it is to find a good magazine store in sf!! This has the best selection and variety I've seen around town, plus if you're looking for something specific the owner is really nice and helpful read more

They have the Sunday Chronicle at $3.25! The gentleman who was working there is friendly and attentive.

Absolutely the best magazine shop in SF and the owner is always super nice. The selection of art and design magazines is especially stellar, including magazines you can't find anywhere else in the city (and are sometimes hard to find even in NY or LA). read more

the one and only real proper magazine shop with a heart in san francisco! lots of international press, run by people which care about the culture. bravo! read more

Smoke Signals - véhicule 2020 avant-garde transportation! - Newspapers & Magazines Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Whenever my father visits from SoCal, he goes to this store in the morning to pick up his Chinese language newspaper. Then heads to Starbucks for coffee and some reading. It makes him happy! If not for Smoke Signals, we would have to venture to Chinatown for his paper. This is so much better. Grateful for this neighborhood place! read more

I absolutely adore Smoke Signals and have been a customer for the past 10 years and through moves to Texas and Idaho, picking up or being sent all my favorite French periodicals. It's an extra treat when I can visit the store in SF. read more

When I was starting out as a design assistant, one of my many jobs was to go to a tiny magazine store on Lexington Avenue and pick up the monthly supply of magazines for the designers. It was one of my favorite trips out of the office, and I would spend as much time there as I could get away with, leafing through copies of Uomo Vogue and Bambino and British Elle. I was instantly transported to the streets and runways of Europe, like magic. Smoke Signals brings to mind that magical feeling. Its unassuming atmosphere houses many treasures. Even though the magazines are now for me, and equal parts travel, home decor, and fashion, I still feel like that giddy 20-something girl that I was, eager to pour through the glossy pages and visit the world of fabrics, colors, textures and beauty that await me. The selection of both newspapers and magazines is world-wide and vast, and they will help you find what you need. If you are a magazine addict like I am, you NEED this store. And it's cheaper than a trip to Paris. read more

This is more than your neighborhood magazine shop around the corner. There is an incredible selection of local and international magazines ranging from fashion, to poetry, to news commentary, to decor. While the international titles can be pricey, it is nice to have the selection available to you. There are also some rare finds that are limited release if you are willing to plunk down the change. Don't come here to browse. The shop is small and doesn't really welcome casual perusing. I love magazines and if it weren't for restraint one could spend a pretty penny here. read more

Cheers to Smoke Signals for letting me spend wads of cash on British import magazines such as Hello! and the always-classy Heat (they only get one copy, so you better not pinch mine). While some may argue that Heat's informative studies like 'Do Men Prefer Real Or Fake Boobs? 54% Say Real!' don't have much merit, clearly they've never curled up in bed with a Cadbury mint bar, a glass of Ribena, and one of these rags on a mentally taxing day. That being said, while not all Russian Hill residents may care about Elizabeth Hurley's charity tea parties or vacation tips for Tenerife, Smoke Signals also carries every conceivable international edition of Vogue... and you know, some reputable news stuff, too. read more

GREAT personalized customer service! I asked them to call me if they got a particular magazine in stock. They not only called me, they were willing to hold it for me! I don't live closely, but will definitely keep them in mind if I ever need anything special, or special service! read more

Always a hello and every magazine you can think of. Kept neat and clean. Close to numerous cafes so you can grab a quick read and a quick bite. read more

Smoke Signals - Newspapers & Magazines Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Wow, great service! I called up to ask if they had a copy of Design Bureau, and the guy on the phone kindly agreed to look inside it to see if it had an article I was looking for, so I wouldn't have to schlep across town to see for myself. I'll be happy to give them my business any time, with service like that. Super friendly and patient. read more

Smoke signals is a favorite of mine, I've been going here for years. My go to spot every week for magazines and papers on everything and anything you can possibly be interested in. When I was getting married, no where had a better selection of wedding magazines, and when I got pregnant nobody carried pregnancy magazines but SS, and even now as a mother I buy parenting magazines (on top of tabloids and fashion mags of course) as well!! The owner, Fadi is a really nice guy who is always very helpful!! read more

If you don't find it here, it probably doesn't exist. But if there's something missing, ask them and they'll get it. The only place in town where I can consistently pick up my France Football, Onze, or L'Equipe. Certainly better than Café De La Presse. Highly recommended for your mag, journal, and/or newspaper fix. And yes ... they do have cigars. read more

Monster selection of newspapers and magazines. I live right around the corner and have to stop in daily to see what's new.

I am a huge magazine junkie. And this place is close to heaven. The staff is friendly, and their selection can not be beat. I enjoy that I can get a English gossip rag along with Utne Reader without feeling any guilt. read more

If you like to read a variety of magazines, you will love this place. Aside from magazines, they sell lotto and tabacco. (I think really good chocolates will also make a good addition here. Just a subtle suggestion. :) ) read more

THE BEST IN THE CITY... TOO BAD IT IS FAR OUT AT THE END OF POLK... BUT YOU KNOW IF YOU CAN'T FIND THE NEWSPAPER OR MAGAZINE HERE MAY BE IT DOESN'T EXIST. Bambi will always make the trip even if I have to pack a lunch to get here form SOMA. read more

I come here at times to pick up a Chinese News paper for my mom. The place got a load of magazines and loads of newspapers. This place seems pretty popular. The place is clean and very well organized. I have all positive things to say about this place. read more

It's got a wide selection of magazines. But it's a very cliquish shop. If you're not a regular here expect to be ignored and/or treated rudely. It's more like a private club. read more

Amazing selection of magazines and cigarettes. Perfect place for culture and tobacco snobs alike. One of my favorite places to trek to in San Francisco! read more

For anyone interested in the fashion or editorial world this place is a gold mine. Spots like this are more difficult to find in San Francisco. Totally recommend students studying fashion check in here every once in a while. read more

When I want to walk further down Polk Street past Good Vibes to indulge one of my other interests, magazines, I come here. Tiny space, awesome selection of magazines that run from "hard to find" to "I didn't even know that existed". read more