Wayfarer Bread & Pastry

"This Bird Rock destination bakery focuses on small batches of artisan bread and pastries. Working with ingredients from Chino Farms and other local purveyors, the menu changes regularly with the season. Almond croissants and chocolate cherry scones are must-tries." - Helen I. Hwang, Candice Woo

"At first glance, you might think Wayfarer, a breezy, beachy cafe, serves up California burritos or another SoCal staple. But it's actually home to the best bread in town. Located in the upscale, yet laid-back coastal mini-'hood of Bird Rock in La Jolla, Wayfarer is a small, unassuming bakery with surfboard-shaped signage. It's casual here—flip-flops and beach clothes are more than acceptable—but we like to think naturally leavened sourdough and flaky, melt-in-your-mouth croissants are a special occasion, too. Start your day with White's fruit tarts, strawberry-pistachio croissants, berry scones, or, for something heftier, the simple, well-executed breakfast sandwich on housemade English muffins. Lunch brings sandwiches, with one or two vegetarian and non-vegetarian options apiece. If you're lucky, you can grab a pie at Wayfarer's weekly pizza night; the menu has two or three pizzas as well as a couple starter options like Marcona almonds and Castelvetrano olives. But come early: It often sells out." - Archana Ram, Marie Tutko

"When it set up shop in the quiet coastal community of Bird Rock in 2018, Wayfarer brought the beach its first real-deal bakery. Established by owner and master baker Crystal White, the takeout-only spot has become a destination for its flaky pastries sweetened with local produce and sturdy-crusted loaves made from heirloom grains." - Candice Woo

"Expert baker Crystal White leads this small-batch bakery in Bird Rock with iconic bread and pastries, starting the first batch at 3:30 a.m. every morning. Sandwiches are served daily, pizza is available on weekend nights, and a taco pop-up is available on Tuesday Nights. Don’t leave the counter without tasting their legendary salted chocolate chip cookie." - Candice Woo, Helen I. Hwang

"Known for its stellar breads and pastries, this Bird Rock bakery’s take on pizza is equally terrific. With a monthly meat-topped pizza and a seasonal vegetarian pie offered along with classic cheese and pepperoni, pizzas must be pre-ordered for pickup between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, To round out the meal, take home a salad made with local greens and some pizza-friendly wine, beer, or cider." - Darlene Horn, Candice Woo