Bakery$downtownWed-Sat 08:00-15:00; Sun 08:00-14:00; closed Mon-TueWalk-in onlyFrench viennoiserie and Mexican pan dulce
Petitgrain Boulangerie laminates French croissants beside Mexican conchas on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, a two-tradition pastry case with cult queues.
Tip: There is a two-cinnamon-roll maximum per party, in person or pre-order; put your name on the list 24 hours ahead.
Worth the queue: Concha
Bakery$$ocean-parkDaily 07:00-15:00; lunch 10:00-15:00; weekend brunch 10:00-15:00Long-fermented sourdough
Jyan Isaac Bread bakes deeply fermented sourdough on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, bagel sandwiches and brunch beside the Ghisallo pizza kitchen.
Tip: Loaves sell down by early afternoon; weekend brunch adds duck confit hash and cereal milk french toast.
Worth the queue: Sourdough country loaf
Bagels$ocean-parkDaily 07:00-14:30Walk-in onlyHand-rolled sourdough bagels
Layla Bagels hand-rolls sourdough bagels daily on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, open-face builds with seasonal fruit, honey and smoked salmon.
Tip: The Pre-Jam with seasonal fruit, cream cheese and honey is the signature; the everything loosies sell out first.
Worth the queue: Pre-Jam open-face bagel
Sandwiches$montana-avenueWed-Sun 11:00-19:00Walk-in onlyFocaccia-ciabatta hybrid loaves
Bread Head bakes a crackly focaccia-ciabatta hybrid daily for its Montana Avenue sandwich counter in Santa Monica, muffulettas and hot weekday specials.
Tip: Founders Jordan Snyder and Alex Williams grew it from a Main Street pop-up; the Combo Grinder is the benchmark order.
Worth the queue: Combo Grinder
Bakery$$mid-cityBakery and coffee bar daily from 08:00Naturally leavened country bread
Tartine Santa Monica proofs its country loaves in a converted church off Arizona Avenue, the San Francisco bakery's Westside room with a full cafe.
Tip: Morning buns and ham and Gruyere croissants go first; the bread rack restocks around midday if you miss the open.
Worth the queue: Country loaf
Italian deli$downtownWed-Sun 09:00-17:30; closed Mon-TueHouse-baked Italian rolls since 1925
Bay Cities Italian Deli, family-owned since 1925, bakes and stacks the Godmother on Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica behind hour-long lunchtime queues.
Tip: Order the Godmother online ahead and skip the queue; it is debit or cash only and closed Monday and Tuesday.
Worth the queue: Godmother roll