5 Must-Visit Markets and Bakeries in the West

The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West, and this year we had another record-breaking number of entrants of the highest level across all categories. These snack emporiums are the 2024 winners of the Where to Eat & Drink: Markets and Bakeries category. Check out the complete list of winners here. For our definitive and searchable travel directory to help you plan your next trip in the West, click here.

Bob’s Well Bread Bakery

Silas Fallstich

A hub of the Santa Ynez Valley, much-loved Bob’s bakes up the valley’s best boules each morning for their indoor-outdoor cafes and now has two locations serving the area—the original in Los Alamos and a second in Ballard.

Sawmill Market

Courtesy of Heritage Hotels & Resorts

Albuquerque, New Mexico’s first artisanal food hall has quickly become a local favorite, and a must-visit for food-focused travelers. Located in a former lumber warehouse, it features over 25 merchants, including local farmers, artisans, and culinary stars. With ample outdoor space and event areas, the market showcases New Mexico’s diverse cultures and traditions.

Manresa Bread

Courtesy of Manresa Bread

Avery Ruzicka gained a cult following for her baked goods project at Manresa restaurant, eventually seeing it rise to a full-scale enterprise. Ruzicka mills most of the heirloom grains in-house and uses natural fermentation processes in the rotating selection of sourdough loaves and pastries. If you’re looking to bring the flavors home, try the cinnamon roll baking kit, which includes all the dry ingredients and tools to make the ooey-gooeist buns around.

Dodo Bird Donuts

Courtesy of Dodo Bird Donuts

Located in La Jolla, this vibrant, tropical-themed café is much more than the name denotes. Beyond the daily fresh and seasonal donuts, there’s a menu that boasts everything from rare teas and adaptogenic drinks to bone broth and breakfast sandos.

China Live

Michael Webber

This 30,000-square-foot culinary and cultural destination in San Francisco is an exuberant celebration of Chinese gastronomy. As much retail emporium as over-the-top food hall, the destination boasts a restaurant, Oolong Café, an extensive retail market, and Eight Tables by George Chen. Feast on Singapore Chicken Wings and Peking Duck Fat Popcorn and get cultured in one of the world’s greatest cuisines.