I finally placed a pre-order after following on social media - thanks to the encouragement of Yelp Elite member Samantha G who I recently met at a North Bay event. I ordered 3 savory items, one black bean & corn, one shishito & stonefruit, and one loaf of cheese bread. I arrived at 11am and there was no line! The staff was courteous & welcoming, found my order right away, and gave me the good tip of warming the cheese bread in the oven. Everything was yummy and I look forward to ordering the cardamom knot next time. read more

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. read more

I love this place. I'm on their email list so I get the week's menu by email on Wednesday. Then I pre-order and pay via Venmo, and pick up my order on Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm. Everything is so good. Last Saturday I picked up my order of two "Mixed Nuts Bourbon Tart with 72% Guittard Chocolate inside and out". The look small, but they are so rich that one makes two desserts for me, read more

Ponsford's Place - 1/2 Mixed Nuts Bourbon Tart - Bakeries Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Disappointing and over priced. Everybody raves about this place but I was unimpressed. I once took a baking class with the owner and appreciated his skills and knowledge and walked away with some damn good baguettes. but the bread and pastries I got here yesterday were boring. The Pain du chocolate was chewy and hard. The..whatever tart with pistachio and peach was just tasteless. And the bread with the weird ancient grain was really bland and hard. No. Won't be doing this again. almost $30 for all that. F#$%! read more

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. read more

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Delicious fairly priced pastries and bread, often with partly whole grain flour. Currently on hiatus.

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 read more

Ponsford's Place - Bakeries Near Me - San Rafael, California

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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. read more

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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... read more

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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. read more

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! read more

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. read more

Ponsford's Place is currently only open for "pop up" pizza nights and bread days, usually every other Wednesday evening and Saturday morning. Subscribe to their mailing list or like them on Facebook for schedule updates. The chef owner has back problems and can no longer run the bakery all week long. But luckily for San Rafael, he still bakes when he can! Ponsford's has the best options for whole grain breads. It can be difficult to even find real whole grain bread, much less in a variety of flavors. Chocolate cherry is particularly good. Pizza nights are also worth the biweekly wait. There are usually two meat and two vegetarian options of artisan thin-crust pizza. Toppings range from combinations of queso fresco, feta, chorizo, bacon, asparagus, and even carrots. One pizza is $18 and serves two adults (in my house at least). read more

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. read more

Once in a blue moon you stumble across a place that causes you to think "if this place were in the City there'd be a line down the block just like Bi-Rite". This is one of those places. Ponsford's calls itself a "bakery and innovation center". I interpret this to mean "we're trying unique and different things here and we're not playing by the rules" I might be wrong, but who but a rule-breaker could get away with opening their doors only 2 days each week, varying the simple menu (savories, sweets, breads), and occasionally throwing open their doors for pizza night? I say it's someone who's confident enough in what they're offering to know that followers will ensue. Sort of the Field of Dreams model of doing business. Ponsford's is the creation of Craig Ponsford whose pedigree is mighty impressive: Gold medal winner/coach/judge at the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie (international invitational baking competition), instructor at St. Helena's CIA, and one-time owner of Sonoma's' Artisan Bakers. This pedigree might explain why, on a recent pizza night, there was a documentary film crew there conducting interviews (film: Rise of the Grains") and why at least three other baking world luminaries were on hand enjoying the pizza. (Tip: If you find yourself in Tucson head to Barrio Bread. Equally wonderful bread and owner). Ponsford's Place is tucked away in a tiny little house in a semi-residential area of San Rafael. Their products are whole grain and delicious. I've become quite a fan of their dense American Walnut Bread ($5/loaf) which I top with smashed avocado, fresh tomato, and kosher salt. It's heavenly, but everything else I've tried has been great too. Pizza night (by the pie or the slice) is BYOB, for here or to-go, with meat and unique veggie options. If you decide to stay, there's a couple of seats indoors and a few more seating places outdoors. The place is small but don't hold it against them. Great things come in small packages and Ponsford's is a great thing. read more

This place seems like it should be awesome: weird location, exclusive hours, adorable setting. But the bread was just not good. I know they only use whole grain flour and I'm all for whole grains. I'm obsessed with whole grain and weird grains grains like teff, amaranth, buckwheat, etc. But if it doesn't add anything special/better/just as good, then I don't see the point in it. The texture of the baguette I bought was gummy and tough. The croissant did not seem like a croissant whatsoever. You can't just make something into a croissant shape and call it a croissant. Where were the layers? Where was the butter? It seemed more like a roll with chocolate inside. The cookies were also really disappointing, very crumbly with hardly any chew. Despite how nice everyone was--and they were really very nice--I was just so disappointed with the actual product that I couldn't recommend this bakery. read more

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Healthy bakery fans, how would you like to be on the cusp of experimental empanadas and chocolate cookies made without flour but with wine flour? You never know what is on the menu at Ponsford Place, a bakery I heard about due to their involvement in a cool wheat milling project. It's a tiny little space that's easy to get to off of 101 or on the way to the coast. The owner Craig is a professonional recipe developer and innovator. This bakery is his workshop. I bought a heavy loaf of rye pumpernickel which I plan to slice in 1/8" slices. Jam using nectarines and berries from this morning's farmers market sitting on racks setting. A whole wheat croissant filled with ham and cheese was no eye rolling Tartine like experience but gave the pleasure of a croissant while making me feel like I was nourishing myself with the whole wheat (an excuse for everything is what I have) :) Seriously if you're into good baked goods, eating locally and healthily, and experimenting with food, veer off 3rd St. and come meet Craig in his little corner of the bakery world. read more

Ponsford's Place - Bakeries Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Came here on a whim one day, because I usually pass by on the side street. To my surprise it was a tiny lil bakery. I got a lemon curd diamond with raspberries that was super delish and my lil sis go a morning bun, which was equally good. They do have strange hours... I never really know when they're open half the time. I recommended to my older sister to stop by and give it a go, and she happen to hit this place up on a closed day, which made me sad. On the plus side, the staff peeps are super friendly! read more

Hate to leave a bad review for a small business these days but wow what a letdown. Place had such promise with the limited menu, bread described down to the microscopic detail, exclusive feeling (wants you to order and pay by venmo the day before - $10 to $14 for a plain loaf of bread!). Anyway, I was more than surprised to find the bread was not good. Completely flavorless with large holes and tough, thick crust. I don't know what's going wrong but the three baked goods I tried were all lacking. Chocolate eclair tasted like it had been made days before (the pastry crust was tough and cardboard-like and the cream was horrible). The bean and vegetable turnover was good, although, unfortunately, the bread part of it wasn't. Hope they figure out a way to improve their recipes and/or baking methods. read more

This is a special place. It exists solely for those who can appreciate the art of baking bread. Bread that defies description; that exists of its own accord; that takes ahold of your taste buds and reminds you why you are willing to pay so much more for the soft texture, nutty taste and deliciously great flavor of an $8 loaf of bread. It's worthy of a special occasion. Do not neglect the croissants. They are some of the best I have had outside of France. read more

Me: Can i buy this $8 loaf of overpriced bread and this $4 croissant? Them: Sorry, we don't accept plastic. Me: Ok, I need to go look for an ATM now. Me - thought bubble: I guess they don't want my business after all... read more

Flavorful, Rich, Innovative and THE BEST bread in Marin - hands down. Sign up for their FB page notifications to find out when they have BREAD Days and PIZZA Days. Usually a line in the morning on a bread day so be sure to get there early! read more

I have a thing for places in odd places. Let me explain... A coffee stand in a closet? I'm there. A clothing store in an Airstream? Count me in. A bakery in a house? Not the oddest, but in Marin I'll take quirky where I can find it. Ponsford's Place is totally delicious and left me with a warm feeling, and that isn't just because it's a tiny place with a roaring oven. All of the goods are made with whole grains; they're dense, flavorful, and amazing. Their rye was incredible, and I can't leave a bakery without sampling a ginger cookie, my litmus test of a good bakery. I didn't meet Mr. Ponsford, but the gentleman helping me was incredibly gracious, and has his own organic potato chip company! Word is that they have pizza nights, a lot of other offerings I have yet to taste (pumpernickel!) , and are enjoying building a community around their bakery. I know where I'll be getting my Christmas treats... read more

I have been spreading the sweet and savory gospel of Ponsford's since a kind and whacked out skater insisted I share a pastry that had him glassy eyed and incoherent. I have been likewise addicted since that first bite. I start getting excited on Wednesdays usually, just waiting for Friday to roll around as they are only open Friday & Saturday. Sometimes it adds a spark of enthusiasm to my day, and sometimes I curse the limited schedule. But come Friday, I am there. And Friday, and sometimes twice on Saturday. My favorites: The Veggie Quiche of the day. Perfect Crust. Farmers market ingredients in combinations that make your mouth sing and drool. Four Squares: Fresh berries nestled in a creme anglaise?, atop a flaky, croissant like pastry. Turnovers - No matter what kind, they are lighter than you would expect and contain the freshest ingredients. A Would happily go out into the wilderness for a week with just a bag of these. Ponsford's is exactly the kind of fearlessly individual, high quality and DELICIOUS shop I ache to see more of in San Rafael. Craig, his girlfriend and the staff could not be nicer, more informative and educational, and they make one hell of a good cup of coffee to boot. ** Revised - I have been remiss adding that on most Thursdays they serve pizza from 5:30 - 8:30. Thin, crispy whole wheat crust makes me feel like I'm eating healthy, and the fig and prosciutto is a slice of heaven. read more

I like to experience creative and different approaches to food. Starting up a bakery and NOT using refined wheat flour or processed cane sugar definitely qualifies as different. Making it taste good requires creativity. Hidden away on a quiet residential street, in what might have once been a garage for horse drawn carriages in an earlier time, Ponsford's Place does just that - makes things that taste good. The savory, vegetable filled turnovers are awesome. Pizza would be a natural next step to put on the everyday menu. The ingredients change with the seasons, so expect variety in both style and taste. The cookies I tried were hit and miss. Chocolate and the Oatmeal raisin great, peanut butter & jelly not so much. As a nod to over marketed slogans, I did not see the anti-gluten posters for their non-wheat items, and that is how it should be. This food stands on its own for what it is, not for what it isn't. It tastes good, and if it is healthy too, so be it. read more

Everything about this bakery screams hidden foodie find! I get the feel that the baker is striving towards a healthy and purist approach. Alas, my experience was a bit gummy, hard, and disappointing all at once. On a small, side street in San Rafael, a small but steady stream of customers make their pilgrimages to pick up whole grain bread, turnovers, and cookies. The store is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and an occasional weekday for Pizza Day. As I was doing a bread tour of the North Bay, I tried three items, which were shockingly disappointing. Whole grain ciabatta baguette--it was pretty much inedible for us. Brown, dense, and lacking all the magical risen lightness that brings magic to bread for me personally. We both ended up spitting out the bread. Chocolate croissant--it looked normal, but when you bit into it, it was actually normal bread (like you are staring at a slice of wheat bread wrapped around chocolate), without any of the flakiness that seems to come with the traditional croissant method (painstaking alternating layers of butter and dough). One bite, and we were done with that "croissant" for good. The one exception was the turnover. We tried the unusual savory bean turnover. It reminded me of eating a taco in a parallel dimension where tortilla shells were replaced with pastry crust. Although the beans were not as interesting as we'd hoped, the turnover crust was great. If it had something else besides beans in it, I would definitely try that again. I really wanted to like this more. But with the croissant being shockingly underwhelming and the baguette feeling more like an experiment than an actual product, I will cut my losses short. If I were to steer you to places that I enjoy more (so you can callibrate what my bakery taste profile is), I definitely enjoy B Patisserie, Knead patisserie, and the new Anda Piroshki for something (although not quite a turnover) consistently delicious. read more

Having heard great things from the fellow food-obsessed, I have cruised by Ponsford's a few times, never finding them open. Yesterday I was driving down 3rd & saw a totally graphic sign that I somehow knew meant Ponsford's was open. Based on this first visit, the hype is all true. I got a ham & cheese croissant. It was literally the best croissant I have ever eaten in my entire life. Crispy, crunchy outside, tender inside, so flaky I could've massaged pieces that came off onto my skin to hydrate them with lustrous butter. It was almost a religious experience. I want to eat another one right now. read more

I bitch about the lack of decent food in Marin....all the freakin time. My friends tell me "it isn't San Francisco here G, get use to it and shut up" But I don't shut up and I can't get use to it....but then every now and then I find a gem of a place in Marin the likes I have never experienced before and Ponsford's Place is just such an establishment. It is a tiny house that had been changed into a bakery and it is small, cozy and adorable inside !!!! I had a croissant that had a veggie filling of carrots and kale and some other good stuff and it was simply put divine. I have never eaten a pastry as good as this one , and I actually cannot adequately describe it with mere words so I can only quote the greatest master of the English written word: Beauty itself doth of itself persuade the eyes of men without an orator. Shakespeare read more

If you are looking for hearty, interesting, imaginative baked goods made from whole grains that are hard to find served by super nice people in a location that feels like you got let in on a secret - then Ponsfords is your place. Want plain old wheat bread? Too common for Ponsfords. Looking for ultra flaky french pastries? Go to Paris. This place serves exotic grains and bread that could be a meal in itself. I get the quiche du jour, a loaf of whatever bread of the day that looks best for toast the next day, and something sweet and I'm never disappointed. Pizzas are with trying. I really like them but my wife gives them a meh. Be sure to check the hours! If you want in on the secret you will have to plan ahead. read more

This place came up as I was searching Rancho Gordo bean carriers. If they have my favorite beans, I knew they had to be good. Ponsford's has been recommended to me over the past couple years, but their hours and mine never married until recently. It's a small space, but they pack it full of their tasty treats both savory and sweet as well as coffee. My first visit, I had to have a variety, so savory bean turnover, bourbon pecan tart and a chocolate pumpkin eclair came home with me. I ate one pastry in my vehicle, my second in the parking lot of my next destination and the third before noon. I swear each one was better than the last, but I can't recall in which order I ate them, so they all get the first prize from me. Come early and often and you'll likely see me there. Ponsford's is one of those little gems that makes me want to live within walking distance. Maybe someday. read more

I have lived in San Rafael for about 20 years and always missed having a real local bakery that specialized in whole grain products. A recent article in the IJ featured Ponsford's Place. I am kicking myself that I did not know about this gem but am now making up for lost time. Everything is delicious. My favorite is the cinnamon pastry with raisins which sell out very quickly, the bread changes daily and I am still finding new favorites. The individual quiches are perfect to freeze and reheat. Unfortunately, they are only open Thursday through Saturday, so you have to stock up! I love the fact that they post their daily menu on Facebook. Today I received an email asking us to "Support your local bakery" because this is usually a slow week due of the Marin Fair. I really appreciate being part of their community and happily made extra purchases today, I want to ensure that they will be there for many years to come. read more

I have been telling everyone and their mother about this place and for some reason I haven't Yelped yet! Well here is to fixing that. It goes without saying that the food is great and the guys a genius. The principled aspect of the endevor puts it over the edge for me. Heathly, local, he teaches classes - It feels down right evangelical. Go Craig! read more

I've noticed a sign for Ponsford's but didn't visit until this morning. I bought a challah, citron croissant, coffee and a regular croissant. I love all things gluten and am currently obsessed with croissants. And this croissant was incredible. Absolute melt in your mouth perfection and worth the price. Can't wait to dig into the challah. read more

Excellent artisan breads. Worth the trip. Very creative, delicious breads, pastries, and quiches in small batches. Great attention to detail. Changing selections. Off the main streets, so use your map read more

I discovered this place on Yelp and am so thankful! Everything that I have tried here is amazing. I think my favorite is the quiche - veggie or non-veggie they are always delicious! I have to tried the bread that everyone raves about but it is on the list, just got to remember to have cash on me Thurs-Sat. Actually the first time I tried this place I had no cash, I was running late and could not run to the bank, she wrote an IOU with my name and pinned it to the board! I returned as soon as I could to pay them back. I was in there this morning and the place looked and smelled great. They seem to be adding tot their menu. I had the pain au chocolat - usually I can save half of my sweet pastries for later but not today, there's not a crumb left. read more

Wow, I never even new this place existed! Check their website to make sure they're open -- I think generally they are only open Friday and Saturday. Get there EARLY... and look for the breadman outside -- it tells you when they have freshly baked stuff! read more

A definite stop on a bread mecca. In beautiful San Rafael, this home grown shop has Craig ponsford at the helm. A true genius with whole grains! We were lucky enough to snag a loaf of their pumpernickel sourdough with such inventive ingredients as Cabernet runoff that I can't find on the east coast. The morning bun was bready and had plump infused raisins. And they gave me a free blood orange shortbread heart shaped cookie just for coming in my first time. A real treasure! read more

Ponsford's Place - Check out the ingredients! - Bakeries Near Me - San Rafael, California

Whole wheat pain Au chocolat yum! The best coffee in Marin hands down. Craig and Diana ( the proprietors) are lovely. I feel like I am visiting old friends every Saturday between the staff and the regulars. Don't miss the pumpernickel bread and quiche. Can't beat it for quirky atmosphere and good vibes. read more

Rarely do you have an artisinal old world style bakery around the corner, but this is what you find at Ponsford's. Craig's chosen medium is whole grains, and the wonderful breads and delightful pastries are always delicious and interesting. To those that complain about whole grain only products, there are many fine local bakeries to get white breads (the same folks might have complained that Picasso should paint more like Monet). The point being that true whole grain artisan bread is hard to find, and Ponsford's is the best. The limited hours and cash only make it a fun treat... keep an eye out for pizza nights, which are delicious as well! read more

I live nearby and constantly see the eye catching sign near the street. I decided to stop in found this cute little bakery in what used to be an old house. The lady behind the counter asked if it was my first time and since it was she took the time to explain their products hours specials. She even gave me some samples to try their delicious products. I decided to buy a morning bun which was just delicious I will most definitely stop here again since it is just around the corner read more