Scattered throughout Santa Cruz County are numerous locally owned bakeries. These special spots are the perfect place to find a dessert for a celebration or to spend a leisurely Saturday morning enjoying time with your friends or family while sipping coffee and enjoying fresh-baked pastries. Here are my top picks for bakeries in Santa Cruz County, if you’d like a full list click here.

Gayle’s Bakery and Rosticceria

Open Sun-Sat 6:30-8:30 pm

504 Bay Avenue, Capitola • Click here

The Buttery

The Buttery is the perfect spot to grab a late breakfast in the Seabright neighborhood of Santa Cruz. Their bakery cases are filled with delicious treats including cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and tarts, making it easy to find something to satisfy your sweet tooth. You will also find cafe-themed items for breakfast and lunch which include items like eggs benedict and hot pastrami sandwiches. The Buttery offers catering and wedding cake services.

Open Sun-Sat 7am-7pm

702 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz • Click here

Companion Bakeshop

A Westside Santa Cruz favorite, Companion Bakeshop offers a variety of organic bread including sourdough, rye, and baguettes as well as pastries, pies, and coffee. You can also find Companion Bakeshop throughout the week at local farmers markets and at their two other locations at Abbott Square in Downtown Santa Cruz and in Aptos.

Open Tues-Fri 7am-5pm and Sat-Sun 8am-3pm

2341 Mission St., Santa Cruz • Click here

Buttercup Cakes

While they may be a more dessert-focused bakery, I think they still deserve to make the list! Buttercup Cakes in Downtown Santa Cruz offers an ever-changing selection of unique cupcakes while offering gluten-free and vegan options too. They also have a cafe menu that serves comfort items like soup and salad combos along with pastries. If you’re more interested in tea, on the weekends you can enjoy ‘tea time’ here from 11-3:30 pm.

Open Mon-Thurs 10am-9pm & Fri-Sun 9am-9pm

1411 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz • Click here

La Placa Family Bakery 

Located in Ben Lomond, this family-owned bakery brings an Italian twist. You’ll still find the usual bakery desserts and savories here but this bakery offers a unique build your own pizza option, gelato, ravioli, tiramisu, and more! The bakery is open until 8 pm Tuesday through Sunday, leaving you enough time to stop in and grab something for dinner too.

Open Tue-Fri 6:30am-8pm & Sat-Sun 7:30am-8pm

9280 Highway 9, Ben Lomond