13 California Donut Shops That’ll Make You Skip Brunch And Head Straight For Glaze
There’s something undeniably magical about biting into a perfect donut, the kind that’s warm, fluffy, and just the right amount of sweet. In California, that magic is alive and well. The state’s donut scene has completely stolen my heart, with local shops turning simple dough into edible masterpieces.
From classic glazed rings to wildly inventive flavors topped with everything from bacon to brûléed fruit, these spots are redefining what a donut can be.
I’ve spent countless mornings chasing down the best of the best, and I’ll gladly trade my avocado toast any day for one more bite of these golden delights.
1. Randy’s Donuts: Where Bigger Really Is Better
The massive rooftop donut had me pulling over on my first LA visit, thinking it was a mirage in the California sun.
Since 1952, Randy’s has been serving donuts that live up to their iconic landmark, perfectly pillowy glazed rings that somehow taste like childhood nostalgia. What keeps me coming back isn’t just the Instagram opportunity, but their cake donuts with that perfect crumb-to-glaze ratio.
The line of locals at 6 AM tells you everything you need to know. Even celebrities can’t resist stopping by this piece of LA history when donut cravings strike.
2. California Donuts: The 24-Hour Wonderland
Last summer, I stumbled into California Donuts at 2 AM after a concert, and found myself in a fluorescent-lit paradise where panda-shaped donuts stared back at me. The Koreatown institution never closes, which feels like a small miracle when late-night sugar cravings hit.
Their strawberry-matcha swirl became my guilty pleasure, a perfect balance of sweet and earthy that photographs beautifully.
The pink boxes stacked behind the counter are practically a Los Angeles status symbol. Watch the glaze artists work their magic through the display window, it’s like Willy Wonka for donut lovers.
3. Seaside Donuts Bakery: Newport’s Sweet Secret
Morning runs along Newport Beach always end at this unassuming family shop where the scent of fresh donuts mingles with ocean air.
The Cambodian-American family behind Seaside has been quietly perfecting their craft since 1985, creating glazes that somehow taste better with sand between your toes. Their green Thai tea donut changed my life seriously, I’ve driven 45 minutes just for one.
College students flock here at midnight, creating a community around these affordable treats. Nothing beats watching the sunrise over the Pacific with a warm Seaside donut in hand, a ritual I refuse to skip when in Orange County.
4. JD Flannel Donuts & Coffee: The Yelp Champion
“You haven’t had a real donut until you’ve tried JD Flannel,” my foodie friend insisted before dragging me to San Juan Capistrano one foggy morning. One bite of their brown-butter sea salt raised glaze, and I became a believer, and apparently, so did Yelp when naming them California’s #1 donut shop.
The owner greets regulars by name while craftily piping Mexican-chocolate churro filling into fresh batches.
Their boysenberry-glazed cake donuts sell out by 10 AM, a lesson I learned the hard way. Worth noting: their coffee is equally magnificent, making this the complete breakfast experience.
5. Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee: The Small-Batch Specialist
Standing in line at Sidecar’s Costa Mesa location, I watched in awe as bakers pulled fresh batches from the oven every hour. The warm huckleberry donut practically melted in my mouth, with glaze still setting as it touched my fingers.
Unlike mass-produced alternatives, these artisanal creations are made throughout the day in small quantities, meaning you’re always getting the freshest possible bite. Their butter and salt donut has ruined me for all other plain varieties.
Pro tip: pair your selection with their house-made coffee for a combination that makes brunch reservations seem utterly pointless.
6. Moonbridge Doughnut Studio: For The Anime-Loving Sweet Tooth
Walking into Moonbridge feels like stepping into a Studio Ghibli film, charming, whimsical, and utterly transportive. This Long Beach gem captured my heart with its Totoro-inspired creations and glaze combinations that seem plucked from a fantasy world.
The bakers craft each donut like an edible art piece, with seasonal flavors that tell a story. Their cloud-like Spirited Away donut, topped with delicate blue swirls and gold dust, made me pause before eating something so beautiful.
Even non-anime fans fall under Moonbridge’s spell, drawn in by the pure magic of perfectly executed flavor pairings and Instagram-worthy designs.
7. Donut Wheel: A Timeless Roadside Classic
The neon sign has been calling to late-night drivers since 1962, a beacon of sugary comfort along Livermore’s main drag. Donut Wheel’s retro Googie architecture alone is worth the visit, but the old-school glazed rings keep me returning whenever I’m passing through.
Nothing has changed here in decades, same recipes, same counter, same friendly faces greeting regulars by name. The maple bar transported me back to childhood road trips when donuts were simple pleasures.
Grab a window seat with your box of assorted classics and watch the world go by, there’s something wonderfully nostalgic about enjoying donuts exactly as your grandparents might have.
8. The Donut Man: Fruit-Stuffed Perfection
Summer mornings in Southern California aren’t complete without a pilgrimage to Glendora for The Donut Man’s legendary strawberry-stuffed creation. I’ve literally planned road trips around their seasonal fruit schedule, the fresh peach donut is worth driving hours for.
Jim Nakano (the original Donut Man himself) revolutionized donuts by treating them as vessels for California’s incredible produce.
The strawberry donut isn’t just Instagram-famous; it’s a genuine culinary achievement that balances sweet glaze with tart, juicy fruit. Expect a line any time of day, locals and tourists alike understand some things are worth waiting for.
9. Super Duper Donut / Donut Friend: Punk Rock Pastries
The first time I walked into Donut Friend, the punk rock playlist and rebellious atmosphere immediately told me these weren’t your average donuts.
Their pistachio cream-filled butter donut (cheekily named “Fudgegazi”) converted me from casual fan to donut evangelist in one bite. Owner Mark Trombino, a former punk band drummer, brings the same creative energy to his donuts that he once brought to music.
The DIY topping bar lets you customize your creation with everything from bacon to cayenne. Each visit feels like joining a delicious counterculture movement where traditional donuts dare to be different.
10. Bob’s Coffee & Doughnuts: The Farmers Market Icon
Tucked inside LA’s historic Original Farmers Market, Bob’s has been serving no-nonsense donuts since I was in pigtails. The simple joy of watching their glazed rings come hot from the fryer, shiny, perfect, and impossibly light, is a pleasure I never outgrow.
Family-run for generations, Bob’s feels like stepping into a time machine where quality hasn’t been sacrificed for trends.
Their cinnamon crumb donut pairs perfectly with their straightforward coffee, proving some classics need no improvement. On Saturday mornings, watching tourists discover Bob’s for the first time reminds me how special our donut culture truly is.
11. Bub & Grandma’s: Nostalgia By The Dozen
Everyone in LA has strong opinions about donuts, but Bub & Grandma’s cake donuts silence even the most passionate debates. Their cinnamon sugar variety reminds me of Sunday mornings at my grandmother’s kitchen table, simple, perfect, and deeply comforting.
Initially famous for artisanal bread, their expansion into donuts created an immediate cult following. The secret seems to be in their commitment to quality ingredients and refusing to chase trends.
Their display case isn’t flashy, no cereal toppings or wild colors here, just perfectly executed classics that taste like memories. Sometimes the most revolutionary approach is honoring tradition.
12. Psycho Donuts: Where Dessert Meets Delightful Madness
Stepping into Campbell’s Psycho Donuts feels like entering a delicious fever dream. My first visit left me giggling at creations like “Dead Elvis”, a banana cream-filled masterpiece topped with bacon and peanut butter glaze that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
The shop embraces its quirky concept with asylum-themed décor and donuts sporting names that would make a horror movie fan smile.
Beyond the gimmick is genuine culinary creativity, flavor combinations that surprise and delight even jaded foodies. Their seasonal specials keep locals coming back to see what madness they’ve dreamed up next.
13. George’s Donuts & Merriment: San Francisco’s Newest Obsession
The 90-minute line outside George’s on a foggy San Francisco morning had me questioning my sanity, until I bit into their crème brûlée brioche donut. The crackling caramelized top gave way to the most ethereal, buttery interior I’ve ever experienced, worth every minute of the wait.
Despite being relatively new to the scene, George’s has captured the city’s heart with French techniques applied to American classics.
Their key lime glazed creation tastes like sunshine, a welcome bright spot in West Portal’s often misty microclimate. Owner George Chen personally greets weekend customers, creating an instant community around these transcendent treats.