San Diego Bakeries: A Visitors’ Guide
The smell of fresh-from-the-oven bread. Biting into a still-warm croissant. That giddy feeling when you’re looking at a box full of donuts, knowing you can’t make a bad choice. These are truly some of life’s most sublime pleasures. A great bakery does more than offer spectacular comfort foods. Visiting one of these magical places can turn your whole day around.
While it’s true that baking may have become a trend during the time we’ve all spent sheltering in place, there’s simply no beating the kitchen wizardry of dedicated professionals. Luckily, San Diego is home to countless world-class bakeries, offering everything from artisanal breads to specialty donuts to macarons, cakes, pies, bagels, and pastries.
Craving something sweet, flaky, and/or fluffy, but not sure where to get started? Here are some of the best bakeries in San Diego.
The Gluten-Free Baking Company (3.3 miles from the hotel)
Don’t worry, GF folks — we didn’t forget about you. And neither did the Gluten-Free Baking Company. The magic-makers at GFBC are dedicated to offering the gluten-averse just as many delicious baked-good options as everyone else. You won’t find any dense bricks of dry, inedible nonsense here. Just big, crumbly muffins, fluffy frosted donuts, chewy cookies, delectable coffee cake, bagels, bread, and biscuits. The Gluten-Free Baking Company is a certified no-gluten establishment, so even celiacs can eat anything on the menu — and anyone would want to, regardless of dietary restrictions.
(Photo: @thegfbakingco)
4594 30th Street, San Diego, CA, 92116
Blackmarket Bakery North Park (3.6 miles away)
Craving cookies, tarts, scones, or a layer cake so scrumptious you’ll question reality? Food Network’s “Chopped” winner/Blackmarket owner Chef Rachel has your back. This brash bake-a-torium also has you covered for exceptional breakfasts and lunches. Stop in early for specialty sandwiches like the “Southern Comfort” (egg, sausage, and cheddar on a sausage-gravy-smothered buttermilk biscuit), or at lunch for the “Dill With It” (turkey, avocado, dill cream cheese, and roma tomatoes on a Dutch Crunch roll). Wash it all down with a fresh-brewed selection from the specialty Dark Horse Coffee menu.
(Photo: @blackmarketbakerySD)
4686 30th St, San Diego, CA 92116
The Cravory (3.8 miles away)
Gourmet cookies are the star at The Cravory — and what huge stars they are. Since opening in Point Loma in 2014, the innovative kitchen wizards here have handcrafted more than 5,000 distinct varieties of cookie: sweet, savory, crunchy, chewy, and everything in between. The Cravory still manages to add six new flavors every month (like pancakes & bacon, salted caramel cream, banana cheesecake, and more), so there’s always something fresh — and fresh-baked — to try. Pick your favorites, order an assortment, or even take home a mix to make at home!
(Photo: @thecravory)
3960 W Point Loma Blvd. Ste G, San Diego, CA 92110
Solunto Ristorante & Bakery (4.5 miles away)
Solunto is a one-stop shop for all of your Italian favorites. The on-site bakery makes everything the old-fashioned way — small batches, traditional ingredients, and not a single corner cut. Grab-and-go breads, cookies, cannoli, and muffins never disappoint. Plus, if you have time to stick around and grab a seat on their lovely patio for a little alfresco dining, you’ll discover that just as much passion goes into the rest of the menu. House-made pasta is offered in a dizzying number of varieties, with slow-simmered sauces, steaks, chicken, and seafood are all perfectly prepared. And don’t skip the gelato!
(Photo: @soluntolittleitaly)
1643 India St San Diego, CA 92101
Azucar (5.3 miles away)
Fusion food is everywhere. But fusion baking? Given the deliciously unique Paris-by-way-of-Havana creations at Azucar, it certainly SHOULD be. Owner/head baker Vivian Hernandez-Jackson brings her Cuban heritage to traditional French pastry styles at this patisserie, and the result is like nothing you’ve ever tasted before. Think guava croissants, mojito cookies, and flaky cheese rolls that melt in your mouth. Don’t miss the experience of stopping in to grab your morning coffee and pastry, and watching the surf from the nearby beach while you enjoy them. Lunch is served daily at Azucar, too — with delicious sandwiches like a Serrano ham Berto, España, and traditional Cuban all ready to satisfy.
(Photo: @iloveazucar)
4820 Newport Ave. San Diego, CA 92107
Wayfarer Bread & Pastry (9.2 miles away)
Located in the picturesque La Jolla neighborhood of Bird Rock, Wayfarer focuses on scrumptious specialty breads. And that passion for the perfect crusty, chewy texture has resulted in some of the loveliest loaves you’ll find anywhere. Artistic and rustic, refined and traditional, Wayfarer’s menu has something for everyone. Sourdough, English muffins, and baguettes share space with cinnamon buns, croissants, and scones, all of which are standouts. Wayfarer also offers sandwiches and pizzas depending on the day, so be sure to call ahead to see what’s on special.
(Photo: @wayfarer_bread)
5525 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037