Welcome to Ponsford's Place
**Our Story**
Nestled in San Rafael, California, Ponsford's Place is not just a bakery; it's a cherished community gem. Known for its artisan baked goods crafted with organic ingredients, the bakery opens its doors primarily on Saturdays, welcoming patrons who often pre-order to secure their favorites, such as the renowned cardamom knot and delicious breads. With a cozy, pop-up atmosphere and a warm, inviting staff led by the passionate owner Craig, every visit feels special. Frequented by locals who appreciate quality and flair, Ponsford's Place epitomizes the essence of supporting small businesses while tantalizing taste buds with extraordinary flavors.
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117 Shaver St, San Rafael, CA 94901 Hotline:
Welcome to Ponsford's Place, a delightful hidden gem tucked away at 117 Shaver St, San Rafael, CA. This charming bakery has become a beloved local spot for those in search of artisan baked goods, featuring a menu that appeals to both seasoned foodies and everyday pastry lovers alike.
Operating primarily on weekends, Ponsford's Place offers an intimate, almost pop-up shop feel. With only Saturday hours and occasional Wednesday pizza nights, the bakery has developed a loyal following that ensures you’ll often find a line outside. Their commitment to freshness and quality means that many items sell out quickly, so preordering is highly recommended to secure your favorites.
- Artisan Excellence: Customers rave about the artisan bread and pastries crafted by owner Craig, who is celebrated for his warm personality and exceptional baking skills.
- Unique Offerings: From the standout cardamom knot, praised for its crunchy layers and perfect spice, to the rotating guest bakers that add variety, there’s always something exciting at Ponsford's Place.
- Community Atmosphere: Reviews highlight the friendly and personable nature of the staff, making every visit a warm experience that feels like visiting family.
- Quality Ingredients: The health-conscious bakery uses only the finest organic ingredients, resulting in delicious and wholesome products that patrons swear by.
As you step inside, expect to be enveloped by the seductive aromas of freshly baked bread and pastries. Each bite is a testament to the dedication and love that goes into crafting every item. While prices may lean towards the higher end, loyal customers like George P. affirm that the quality is well worth it.
Whether you’re indulging in a flaky croissant or a slice of specialty rye bread with dates, Ponsford's Place invites you to savor the moment. With hints of neighborhood camaraderie in every interaction, this bakery is not just about the food; it’s about creating a warm community space that feels like home.
So, if you’re in San Rafael and are eager to explore delightful baked goods, make sure to pay a visit to Ponsford's Place. Just remember to arrive early or adhere to the preorder schedule to fully enjoy this local treasure!
A year ago I was blessed to move extremely close to this bakery. My landlord recommended this bakery and we moved in around the holidays. I love supporting local and small businesses, so I knew I would stop in sooner than later. I've been here over a year and it's a rare weekend that I'm not here. They're only open on Saturdays (sometimes Wednesday for pizza nights). You need to follow them on IG to see updates about their schedule or special events and get their link for preordering. But I promise you, everything on this menu that I've tried is absolutely delicious. Every single thing. Craig is incredible at his craft. He's friendly and approachable and all the staff is so caring! It's almost that pop up shop atmosphere and I always feel lucky when he makes extras and I miss the preorder deadline. I promise you, if you're local this will become a stop every weekend. I'm blessed to live so close and there is nothing quite like Ponsford's. Be patient because there is always a line, but if you don't catch preorder, you do need to get there early. It's worth the wait.
Just finished my cardamom knot. Couldn't have been more perfect. Some crunchy layers, some soft layers, just the right amount of spice, and pearl sugar on top. Can't wait to feast on the other treats that I bought for a party this evening. Lovely service too!
A quirky hidden gem right off Fourth Street in San Rafael! It's only open on Saturdays, and most people pre-order between Wednesday and Friday to make sure they get what they want (many items sell out). Then you just show up and collect your items, sometimes with a small line right when they open. Their pastries and breads are the best in San Rafael.
Went on a Saturday around 1 or so. I think you're supposed to order your bread ahead of time- though not sure how their system works. I bought a loaf of bread- not sure what it was but it was all they had left. Very delicious. Pricey at $10. Cash only I believe.
Wonderful artisan baked goods. It's mostly only open on weekends. They also have rotating guest bakers from time to time. A unique spot for sure.
We went there after one, but we just find out that they're open until 1 PM. The lady with the hat when we told her we came from oakland she gave us two croissants, which is the best croissant and the most healthier croissant when never had a recommend it to everyone to try it out
Very good quality bakery items. Delicious and fresh. Pricey at $7.50 each. I got to ponsfords at 1130, and quite a few items were sold out. There was a line to get in, so this place is popular.
I have been going here regularly for five years for the healthy, delicious bread products made with the finest organic ingredients. Staff is friendly and warmly helpful. We are fortunate to have an international award winning bread maker right here in Marin who treats his customers like family. The ambiance in this store is loving.
What a great neighborhood bakery. I've heard rumors that the opening hours are a bit irregular as the owner has some health problems, which kind of goes with them offering their space for pop-up bakeries...just like last weekend. My friend had forwarded me the Pondsford's Place Newsletter, which announced a special holiday pop-up from a German bakery: PPG Baker (@ppg.baker). As a German living in Marin I was seriously intrigued and thus hopped in my bike to check out their offerings. As I entered the "Backstube" (baking room), Pablo seemed to already sense that I was a fellow German and we started chatting away in our mother tongue. He told me about the various items on offer for the day and I decided to buy the 100% rye bread with dates, a slice of whole wheat pizza with merguez sausage (spicy lamb sausage) as well as a pack of German Christmas cookies called Vanillekipferl. I first ate the pizza slice, which hit the spot and I really enjoyed the lamb flavor. Back at home I sliced up the rye bread and covered it generously with a good cheese I'd gotten from the farmers market earlier. Sooo good. The addition of dates really makes a difference. And the cookies? I gave them away and so can't testify about them, but the person I gave them to, highly approved of them. So, all in all, I loved my little outing. If only there wasn't that hefty price tag associated with it. I guess that's what you get when you combine Marin rents and quality ingredients...