El Nopal Bakery

The best Mexican bread ever! Cash only. They do have an ATM machine but it looks old. You have to try the conchas. They always ask what color conchas do you want… it doesn’t matter, they taste amazing. Soft and sweet. The sugar will get all over! Your hair! Your car! Your Face! OMG, be prepared.

BEST.
CONCHAS.
EVER. ‘
You owe it to yourself to order some fresh-​out-​of-​the-​oven conchas from El Nopal. They’re like little warm fluffy pillows of goodness. Every time we’re in the area to visit my in-​laws, we have to stop at El Nopal to order a bag (ok, fine… a few bags) of conchas. This place is awesome and I hope they never go out of business.

This is childhood stop with plenty of great memories!
One of the few panaderias growing up-​right across the street from our church!
The bread is delicious– conchas and galletitas are their specialty!
You can’t go wrong with empanadas either!

The best bread in California. Never have I tried a better selection of bread in California. If you want authentic conchas this is your place. My personal favorites are the conchas, ladrillos, diamantes, empanadas de betún, and the galletitas. You won’t be disappointed.

This is the place for the best Pan Dulce. You can’t go wrong with the Chonchitas & the Empanadas de Piña. But I must say, the quality of the empanadas is not the same as when the mother and the son made them. I could honestly said this cause I’ve been coming here since I was a child.

Churros are excellent… We bought a couple, along with a few other pastries and left. As we walked away, we bit into one of the churros and then immediately turned around to buy more!!!
Very small place… Basically counter only. We hoped to find a café or coffee shop type place to sit down and hang out for awhile. Regardless, their baked goods are excellent! Especially the churros! :)

Great conchas and a friendly staff.

This place is amazing! They are so friendly and gracious with my Spanglish (at best). The conchitas put even the best donuts to shame.

I love this place. I would give it more stars if I could. My parents have brought me here since I was a wee little kid. Their Conchitas are awesome and so soft. Especially if you are lucky enought to get them fresh out of the oven when they are still nice and warm. Give me a conchita with a glass of milk and I am one happy camper.
Their empanadas are also delicious. My favorite are the one’s filled with pineapple filling. They have little cookies with a dallop of jam in the center that are also great.
All in all, you can’t go wrong when you visit El Nopal Bakery.

I have such fond memories of coming here back in the 70’s when my family would come to Pajaro Dunes. I, too, remember the conchas, and empanadas. But my favorite, hands down, were always the huesos, a sweet crunchy flakey stick of deliciousness. But the last time my parents tried to get me some, they said they don’t make them anymore. Is it true?!

Friendly folks running the place. Even with a line in the morning you are out of there within minutes and under 2 bucks for a handful of empanadas! The pumpkin empanada is my favorite. They also know how to make a good piggy spiced cookie. They also sell milk if you are on the go!

Empanada filled with spiced pumpkin! Yes please!
PS — The owner is very nice and patiently explained all the pastries to my gringa self at the Festival del Nopal. :)

Supper yummy pan dulce. Family favorites include the conchas, puerquitos, and the polvorones (sugar cookies).

Fresh, and very delicious. Always try to make a run every time we are in town. Price is reasonable did I mention Fresh. Will be back!!!

My family has been coming to this bakery for decades. I love their pastries more than any other bakery. Their breads are so soft and delicious. You have to go during the day for a larger selection of pastries.
The bad: It’s a small bakery and it can get crowded, parking is tight and they don’t have fat free milk.

This place is DELICIOUS! I will go out of my way to get bread from here. I will make a trip just for these warm bites of warm flower topped with sugar. It is by far the best panaderia in the local area. There are other locations and the only reason this gets 4 stars is because it is not as good as the one in Hollister which carries the same name and is run by members of the same family.
Their Sema is made out of wheat making it a very healthy alternative if you are trying to keep away from the über sugar coated Mexican bread. If you don’t mind the extra sugar go for the conchas which are often freshly baked and right out of the oven. Their conchas are by far their popular bread. Other breads are delicious as well. I prefer the elotes, empanadas, and polvorones.
You can order ahead if you have an event or need a large order of bread.
Go prepared because they only accept cash. They do have a debit machine which is oddly placed in that crowded panaderia but can be convenient if you are low a few bucks.

Hells yeah, I love me some pan dulce!
From as long as I can remember, my dad used to get the family conchas here. So good.
They open up at the crack of dawn, I think my dad said 5am or so. Everything is fresh here. Lots of goodies to choose from, plus they have fresh coffee if you need a quick pick me up. This place gets packed though when the church across the street lets out so if you know the service schedule, you might want to avoid those times.
It pays to know Spanish, but I’m sure you could get by with just English by pointing and knowing how to count in Spanish. Ha! Or you can be like me, and just go with someone who knows it (my dad).
I remember the day when they used to actually have a real nopal outside, but they must have chopped it down.
Anyway, it’s worth a trip out to Pajaro.

–understand some english
–cheap
–fresh
–open early
–closed on tuesdays
–across from a church
— with a paletas section
=CONCHAS BLANCAS POR FAVOR!

My neighbor swore that this was the ultimate Mexican pastry shop, and she would send her hubby at 5am to pick-​up the fresh baked goods.
Well, I can definitely say she was sadly mistaken. When I arrived, they had the typical pastries, but there were flies everywhere. I even saw a couple in the actual pastry cases – YUK. Maybe the key is to arrive at 5am when the flies are asleep.