Podesta Baldocchi

I contacted Mark at Podesta 15 minutes before closing time after FTD fumbled my order and still charged me for their mistake. I told Mark that I needed Beautiful flowers that same day because it was my sweet heart's birth day. Mark made for me the most beautiful arrangement that was very fragrant. I have been ordering flowers for many years and this was one of the best arrangements I ever purchased. All of this was done just 15 minutes before they closed and delivered the same day with out any mistakes. I Highly recommend Podesta Baldocci and I will be using their services whenever I need flowers here in the Bay Area. I guess you can say I will be a life time customer. Believe me when I say that I am a Very harsh critic and I am not very easily impressed. I am Totally impressed with Podesta Baldocci and Mark took very good care of me in my time of need. I know that all guys can relate to this situation so if you are in a pinch like I was when it comes time for your anniversary, birth days or any other special day that you miss; Podesta Baldocci is the way to go. My Lady walks by and smells her flowers and smiles at me.

Pros: All Things

Cons: No Cons

Posted 08/09/08

I grew up in San Francisco, and one of my most vivid memories was of dressing up during Christmas time - wearing white gloves and hat - and going to Podesta Baldocchi, a small, sharp dash of holiday color and fragrance. It was San Francisco elegance. Although I've moved away, I order flowers to send to my mother for special occasions, and thanks to the fact that Podesta Baldocchi has maintained that elegance, the fresh bouquets always mean twice as much for both of us.

Posted 06/22/08

We needed a good bouquet for our pre-wedding photo shoot in a Sunday afternoon in SF area. And, I tell you, there are not many florists open on Sundays! After frantic search, I finally found Podesta, which is open half-day on Sundays. The flower designer whom I spoke with on the phone was very pleasant, and I placed an order of my bouquet, my fiance's boutonniere, and a couple of flowers for my hair. On the photo shoot day, it took us for a while to find out the store, because it's located at a sort of hidden place. But, when we got there, our bouquet, etc., were already there for pick up, even though we actually arrived there a little earlier than the pick-up time. The flowers were FANTASTIC!! Definitely much better than I imagined. That was a good surprise to start with, and having great flowers made huge difference in the high-resolution digital photographs. Thanks, Podesta!! I recommend your store to anyone who needs high-quality flowers in SF area. One last thing I wanted to mention is that most of the bouquet flowers stayed fresh in our vase for more than 2 weeks after the photo shoot (other bouquets usually start wilting around 3-4 days). This shows how fresh their flowers are.

Pros: Excellent bouquets. Open even on Sundays

Cons: none

Posted 12/12/06

Podesta Baldocchi is the finest around.

For my 33rd birthday, I received the most beautiful arrangement ever from Podesta Baldocchi! It was breathtakingly beatuiful. Notice (not for lack of better words) how many times, I've used the word beautiful?!? :-)

The design was fabulous.
The delivery was timely.
The service was friendly.

I would definitely recommend Podesta Baldocchi to anyone looking for that special something, for that special someone!

Pros: Professional and Knowledgeable Staff

Posted 11/17/06

No other florist can design bouquets like Podesta, I would recommend this company to anyone and everyone.

Posted 11/13/06

Now that I have experienced Podesta Baldocchi I will never call another florist in SF again!

I called PB with a truly last-minute request for a very important meeting my company was holding. I had two criteria to work with: I needed the arrangements to be stunning and unique and I needed them delivered at a very specific time (with no margin for error). When Mark picked up the phone I can only imagine his thoughts when I told him what I needed ('high maintenance client' alert!) -- but he immediately said he would do whatever it took to help me out. How rare is that these days! He worked hard to get all the specifics of the meeting so he could pick out the perfect flowers, greenery, etc. And even though my budget wasn't huge and I had never ordered from PB before, he still made me feel like my order was as important as one from his oldest and best customer. Wow!

The flowers were delivered exactly on schedule and the arrangements were truly gorgeous. It felt like they read my mind as to what I needed and yet they delivered something I never could have imagined or described....they're artists! In a meeting room filled with about 20 "been there, done that" fashion execs virtually every one made a comment about the flowers. I was told there was even some competition at the end for who got to take them home.

I seldom get excited enough about a service to write a 'thank you' note, but this experience was so out of this world I had to make the time to write this review.
Podesta Baldocchi rocks.

Pros: customer service, artistry, attention to detail

Cons: none

Posted 08/31/06

I just received an arrangement today and they are hands-down the most gorgeous flowers I have seen in my life. Not only is the arrangement original, but they are classy, modern yet timeless and just breath-taking. A co-workers wife has been laid up with a broken foot and I immediately jumped on the phone to order her flowers from the same place! I spoke with the owner who was helpful, courteous, fast, very very friendly and just pleasant all around. I will, from this day forward, be ordering flowers from this fantastic find. Great service, superb quality, you get what you pay for!

Posted 06/19/06

I placed a phone order on a Monday morning, well before the 1 PM "cut-off" for same-day delivery. The arrangement, though beautiful, arrived Tuesday (late afternoon). The date of delivery was significant, as I had added a thank-you note to the flowers which referenced the time spent "yesterday". So the message for a delivery on a day other than Monday made no sense. Had I known that the promised delivery would not have been that same day, I would NOT HAVE PLACED THE ORDER.

I call PB. The woman I spoke to reviewed the order, and agreed that the delivery was late, had no explanation, and agreed to refund my money. She then went to speak to a "supervisor", who refused to allow her to proceed with the refund.

Pros: beautiful arrangement

Cons: false advertising, indifference, late delivery

Posted 04/17/06

The perfect floral arrangement was created for our hospitalized coworker. Our Controller went to visit the recipient and to describe the arrangement in a word, STUNNING! It seems everyone who saw the arrangement left with a bit of envy. From the polished, professional person who took the order to the brilliant designer and the delivery staff, my experience with Podesta Baldochhi was a pure delight. Simply put, another example of why Podesta Baldocchi is considered the definitive, premier florist!

Posted 08/07/05

The girls down at Podesta make flowers that make my jaw drop and my eyes tear, they're the most beautiful florwers i have ever seen in my life!! The individualized service was outstanding and the designs are to die for. I wouldn't order flwoers from anywhere else. They also offer delivery to anywhere in the bay area now which is a huge plus+++ and the new website www.podestabaldocchi.com is gorgeous

Pros: individualized orders, freindly service, terrific quality

Posted 03/09/05

I recieved the most beautiful flowers from these guys about a week ago, i cant stress how happy i was. The arrangement was unique and stunning. Thanks Podesta

Posted 03/09/05

Podesta Baldocchi is the best in San Francisco from beginning to end. Their customer service dept. knows the product, is helpful, and efficient. The design dept. is the best anywhere. Stephanie, Heidi, Christina, Anita and Hoa can create anything and its always beautiful. I have sent and received Podesta flowers many times and have never been disappointed. They dont just design they create. While others may get the credit, it actually belongs to this group of designers that create and do all the work. They are truly awesome!

Pros: good quality, friendly service, creative

Posted 01/22/05

I just recently ordered the fall tulips to send to my cousin as she wasnt feeling well. They were so classy looking. The presentation was beautiful. I was very happy. And the part I appreciated was that they sent me a thank you for my order. That is class!

Pros: presentation

Posted 10/28/04

I have used Podesta Baldocchi for the past 40 years...for everything from weddings, baby shower, birthdays, congradulations, and funerals. There's simply none better in the City or greater Bay Area for the prefect selection and service. I'm particularly fond of their mixed spring bouquet that is an absolute jaw dropper...(hint, hint to my children). I can order over the phone and never risk any disappointment.

Pros: freshness, selection, design

Posted 04/29/04

I have been using Podesta Baldocchi now for several years now for all occasions, they are true outstanding. The arrangements are wonderful and there flowers the freshest.

Pros: Great Arrangements, Freshest Flowers

Posted 03/05/04

Maybe Podesta isn't totally to blame, but I was disappointed when my flower order was delivered a day late. It's tough to make someone feel special "one day after"

FOLLOWUP: so the order never made it after 2 days, but since the delivery was outsourced to someone that could actually deliver to Sausilito Podesto isn't ultimately to blame. They apologized and I canceled my order (so no charge). Lesson learned: stick with local SF deliveries if you go with Podesta so there's real accountability

Posted 02/12/04

Your floral deisigner, Denise Irwin, is absolutely the best. Her eye for color, bqlance, variety is wonderful. Her handlling of my party, long distance, was a marvelous service. She got everyting just right.

Pros: appropriateness, affordable, imagination

Posted 08/27/03

The flowers at my wedding last month were amazing! They were hip, fresh, coordinated with the food to make for the most beautiful tables I have every seen. It looked like a Tuscan Feast!
My friends and family were talking about the amazing flowers for weeks after.
Denise Irwin took my every wish for color and style and made everything perfection.

I recommend Podesta for every floral need.

Posted 08/24/03

We used Podesta for both of my sisters' weddings, and people were gushing over the arrangements. Denise (Irwin, mgr of design and events) was very effective, giving us spectacular arrangements. The job she did of integrating unique elements into a conservative environment (I was not thrilled with the venue's recent remodel) was amazing, and actually worked off of surrounding landscape of the windowed space. The cake didn't get such raves.

I work in events. Finding people that still know how to do traditional San Francisco class, warmth, and cutting edge in a culture of neuvo-neuvo riche sterility and gimmicks is near impossible. Few do it right - Podesta is one of them.

Pros: very creative, professional, good communication

Cons: can't think of any

Posted 08/24/03