Hi from California

yep, Los Altos - I'm so new to this I didn't even think to look at local stores with wet shaving products - I'll absolutely check those out, thanks!
Ian

Here are a few, in case you are interested:

Stanford Shopping Center:

Art of Shaving
This store is on the small side, but it has lots of products and is one of the better AoS. They sell Gillette Platinum razor blades here, albeit at a very premium price compared to online. AoS products are generally overpriced, although top quality. Frequently staffed by people who are into wetshaving, and not just as a job.

L'Occitane
They have a small but good section with men's shaving products. Their Cade shaving soap is really nice.

Bath and Body Works
I haven't been in this one. They sell C.O. Bigelow shaving cream online (rebranded Proraso) online. Not sure if they sell it in this store, but worth checking.

Penhaligons
Rats, this store closed recently. They were nextdoor to the Art of Shaving. Ah well.

West San Jose:

Williams Cutlery and Gifts
https://www.williamscutlerysanjose.com/
They have a really nice selection of shaving gear, and have had for many decades. I remember seeing safety and straight razors in their store when I was a kid. When people couldn't find what they wanted at the Art of Shaving in Valley Fair Shopping Center, the sales clerks used to refer them here. They sometimes sell vintage razors and other items from estate sales. They sharpen straight razors and Rolls Razors, too. Definitely worth a visit.

I almost forgot, there are lots of Indian supermarkets around the Bay Area. They often have shaving cream and double edge blades. Godrej is one brand of shaving cream that worked well for me, and was dirt cheap. Anyways, happy hunting!

Hi
I know I am lagging a bit, but it appears that PMs are out of my range of permissions.

yep, Los Altos - I'm so new to this I didn't even think to look at local stores with wet shaving products - I'll absolutely check those out, thanks!
Ian

Here are a few, in case you are interested:

Stanford Shopping Center:

Art of Shaving
This store is on the small side, but it has lots of products and is one of the better AoS.  They sell Gillette Platinum razor blades here, albeit at a very premium price compared to online.  AoS products are generally overpriced, although top quality.  Frequently staffed by people who are into wetshaving, and not just as a job.

L'Occitane
They have a small but good section with men's shaving products.  Their Cade shaving soap is really nice.

Bath and Body Works
I haven't been in this one.  They sell C.O. Bigelow shaving cream online (rebranded Proraso) online.  Not sure if they sell it in this store, but worth checking.

Penhaligons
Rats, this store closed recently.  They were nextdoor to the Art of Shaving.  Ah well.

West San Jose:

Williams Cutlery and Gifts
https://www.williamscutlerysanjose.com/
They have a really nice selection of shaving gear, and have had for many decades.  I remember seeing safety and straight razors in their store when I was a kid.  When people couldn't find what they wanted at the Art of Shaving in Valley Fair Shopping Center, the sales clerks used to refer them here.  They sometimes sell vintage razors and other items from estate sales.  They sharpen straight razors and Rolls Razors, too.  Definitely worth a visit.

I almost forgot, there are lots of Indian supermarkets around the Bay Area.  They often have shaving cream and double edge blades.  Godrej is one brand of shaving cream that worked well for me, and was dirt cheap.  Anyways, happy hunting!

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this - I just saw this post.
My wife and I were actually in AoS in Stanford Mall last week - just to browse, although I was looking for a brush holder that would fit a wide brush at the handle - they had something that might work, so we'll see...
Thanks also for the Williams Cutlery note - I never would have thought of that so will absolutely drop by if/when we're in that area.
Really appreciate your suggestions!
Ian

Welcome.

Welcome to DFS IanG153 , Whereabouts in California are you located? I'm in Thousand Oaks in SoCal.

EDIT* I should have read the rest of the thread.

no problem - I do that *all* the time - NoCal, just south of SF :-)

Welcome, IanG153.

Here is an opportunity to post another letter.

Wot is rong wit my spellink?