On January 30th of every year, we celebrate National Croissant Day, honoring the buttery, flaky pastry that is beloved worldwide. The holiday itself was established in 2006, but the pastry’s origins trace back centuries.

In 1863, during the siege of Vienna by the Turkish Empire, bakers who worked in basement storerooms heard the sounds of underground tunneling. Their timely alert allowed the city’s army to end the attack. To commemorate this victory, the bakers crafted a crescent-shaped pastry symbolizing the Ottoman Empire’s crescent moon. 

Once the Turks were defeated, it became tradition to serve this crescent-shaped pastry with morning coffee. Though many people believe croissants come from France, its journey began in Austria before French bakeries altered the recipe to use puff pastry. 

In honor of this holiday, we’re taking a delicious journey through San Luis Obispo County and beyond to highlight some of our favorite bakeries in the area: 

• Back Porch Bakery, founded by Dan and Caroline Berkeland, began as a back porch operation in 2011, sharing freshly baked bread with friends and neighbors in San Luis Obispo. Their passion for community and quality grew into a business that now serves over 120 local establishments. The bakery remains rooted in fostering connections through their artisanal breads and pastries. Back Porch Bakery is located at 289 Prado Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. 
• Bijou Bakery, located in Cayucos, California, was created by Jeniece Grimshaw, who is a Le Cordon Bleu graduate with over a decade of professional baking experience. After moving to San Luis Obispo County in 2015 and finding success in the local wedding industry, Grimshaw launched Bijou Bakery in June of 2020. The bakery offers high-quality, French-inspired pastries, quickly becoming a central coast gem. Visit Bijou Bakery at 149 Cayucos Dr., Cayucos, CA 93430. 
• Bread Bike is a small organic bakery in San Luis Obispo that specializes in 100% organic, naturally leavened bread and California-style pastries made with whole grains and locally-sourced ingredients. Bread Bike is unique in that they deliver to community supported bakery members by bicycle. The bakery values their food, farmers, planet and community. Bread Bike can be visited at 2060 Parker St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. 
• Budget Café has been a cherished local spot since the mid-1980s, offering a warm, family-friendly atmosphere with affordable meals. This classic diner-style café serves breakfast and lunch all day made with quality ingredients. Budget Café has a welcoming vibe and commitment to creating a home away from home for locals and newcomers. Budget Café is located at 3121 S. Higuera St. #J, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. 
• Buttercup Bakery & Cafe offers a variety of products from daily-made pastries and freshly baked bread to breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and hand-crafted drinks. With a focus on healthier options, Buttercup Bakery & Cafe enhances traditional recipes by reducing sugar, incorporating whole wheat flour and using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. Buttercup Bakery & Cafe is located at 430 Morro Bay Blvd, Morro Bay, CA 93442. 
• Drizzle Bakery LLC, a women-owned and Latin-owned bakery, was created by Trina Galvan who is a passionate baker with deep roots in the Central Coast’s farming community. Drizzle Bakery started as a cottage kitchen and expanded in March 2023, offering a range of delectable baked goods, including vegan and gluten-free options. Galvan’s artisanal cakes and pastries are made with attention to detail and personalized service. The bakery is located at The Kitchen Terminal at 4750 Allene Way, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. To place an order, visit Facebook or Instagram @drizzle_bakery_llc.
• Sally Loo’s Wholesome Café, established in 2009, has become a beloved San Luis Obispo spot in the Railroad District. The cafe is dedicated to supporting local farmers and artisans, and crafts house-made recipes and baked goods using locally-sourced ingredients. Their dedication to the art and science of quality coffee, partnering with Cacti Coffee Roasters, provides an extra special coffee experience. Sally Loo’s is located at 1804 Osos St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. 
• Tiny Café is a unique art project focused on sustainability, striving to maintain eco-friendly practices within municipal regulations. They compost coffee grounds, encourage customers to avoid disposables and source single-use products from environmentally conscious providers. With a thoughtful approach to every aspect of their service, Tiny Café prioritizes the planet while delivering delicious products! Tiny Café is located at 496 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405.

San Luis Obispo County offers a variety of exceptional bakeries that capture the specialty of the croissant and so much more. This National Croissant Day, the CIE encourages you to explore these local gems, support their passion for quality and community and savor every flaky bite. Happy National Croissant Day!

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About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunities to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit https://cie.calpoly.edu/.