Take a Bite Out of Life: Where to Get California's Best Donuts

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National Donut Day comes around twice a year (yes, twice), but that’s not nearly enough time to celebrate the incredible culinary creation that is the donut. Raised donuts; baked donuts; and fried, sprinkled, and chocolate-glazed donuts all have a way of turning around even the worst of days, adding a touch of magic to the mundane. Though they’re not the most nutritious delicacies around, they’ve got the star power and sugary goodness we need to lift our spirits.

For those who don’t already know, the two National Donut Days occur on the first Friday of June and on November 5 every year. To help all you donut connoisseurs celebrate this national food day properly, we’ve found some of the most amazing donut shops in California that are sure to satisfy your cravings. So put on your comfy pants, buckle your seatbelt, and get ready for a foodie road trip across California (or maybe just across town) to savor the best donuts in the state. 

Must-Try Donuts in the Golden State

Though we typically try to avoid sounding like Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, it's hard not to burst out in a chorus of “I Want It Now” when walking into California’s drool-worthy donut shops. Here are a few of our absolute favorites.

Donut Friend

Location: Los Angeles

Every gourmet donut at the aptly named Donut Friend is made with entirely vegan ingredients, but given the shop’s vibrant flavors and rock ‘n’ roll theme, you’d never know it. Try out the Polar Berry Club—a raised donut topped with sweet lemon glaze, fresh mint, and fresh mixed berries—and the Compassion Fruit (half of the proceeds are donated to charity). Don’t miss out on the Youth Brulée, either, featuring Bavarian cream and brȗléed sugar.

Sidecar Doughnuts

Location: Santa Monica

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, bam! Sidecar Doughnuts enters the scene with basil eggs Benedict—stuffed into a donut. What sorcery is needed in order to stuff a poached egg, ham, and house-made basil hollandaise into a Malasada-style donut? We may never know, but it is undoubtedly worth the experience (and a picture or two). For dessert, opt for one of the rotating monthly flavors such as the cookies and cream donut or the equally impressive strawberry-filled and buttermilk-glazed donut to enjoy the comforts of familiar flavors. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try the chocolate budino: a raised chocolate bullseye with caramel glaze, chocolate budino, whipped crème fraîche, and a cookie crumble.

Dynamo Donut & Coffee

Location: San Francisco

Creating donuts from scratch in S.F.’s Mission District since 2008, Dynamo Donut & Coffee knows what makes taste buds happy. But don’t take our word for it; allow the caramel de sel, chocolate star anise, maple bacon apple, and seasonal blueberry lavender donuts to speak for themselves. If these high-class flavor profiles weren’t enough to entice you, the donuts are crafted from local, organic, seasonal ingredients wherever possible—resulting in fresh, drool-worthy treats that give customers a taste of the city’s culture.

Pepples Donut Farm

Location: Oakland

This Bay Area icon has been serving up organic, vegan donuts on San Pablo Avenue since 2010. Choose from classics such as lemon poppyseed, orange creamsicle, coconut whiteout, and chocolate cookie. Or, spring for something a bit more adventurous like the lavender Earl Grey, sweet curry, or Philz Coffee donut. While these treats may sound like guilty pleasures, you shouldn’t feel guilty about eating ’em; sustainability lies at the core of Pepples Donut Farm, which features locally sourced ingredients and an entirely plant-based menu. Dip in during the week for the griddled mac ‘n’ cheeze, or come by for weekend brunch to try the vegan chik’n and waffles or the buffalo cauliflower accompanied by house-made ranch. 

The Donut Man

Location: Glendora

If stopping by The Donut Man every time you find yourself in Glendora isn’t on your to-do list yet, it ought to be. Located on historic Route 66, this joint is famous for its massive, strawberry-filled donuts, but you’ll find many other newsworthy delights at all hours of the day, year-round. (Make sure to schedule a special trip during the late summer months to nab a seasonal donut stuffed with fresh peaches.) But beware: The artisanal creations are likely to leave you daydreaming of donuts the rest of the year. 

Birdies

Location: Los Angeles

Birdies puts a new twist on American classics. Chef-owner Jason Harley set out to provide fast yet fresh foods—including artisanal donuts made every hour—in a casual dining environment. Opt for the unusual lemon thyme pistachio for a mixture of sweet and savory, go all out with the candied bacon maple, or stick to the triple dark chocolate to cure your sweet tooth. While you’re there, you might as well pick up a spicy fried-chicken sandwich, complete with ghost-pepper mayo, Tillamook pepper jack cheese, cured pickles, and coleslaw. Get some extra house-made ranch and a side of the potato salad for yourself, too, but don’t forget to grab an order of mini donuts to share with your loved ones.

Sweet Retreat Donuts

Location: Long Beach

Established in 2015, Sweet Retreat crafts high-quality donuts by using the best ingredients around. The shop’s gourmet offerings are spruced up at surprisingly reasonable prices, too. (I mean, you can get a giant peanut butter and jelly donut topped with chocolate sauce, peanut butter, and crushed Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for merely $3.75? Yes, please!) Grab an old standby—such as a chocolate donut with sprinkles—for just $1, or go a little crazier with the blueberry donut adorned with lemon icing, the vegan vanilla-coconut creation, or the made-to-order strawberries-and-whipped-cream masterpiece.

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse

Locations: Los Angeles and San Francisco

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse is a must-try when you find yourself in San Francisco’s Tenderloin. With plenty of baked goods to go around (and an iconic “I got baked in San Francisco” sign), this spot has become popular over the years and expanded into Los Angeles’ Highland Park neighborhood—and it’s easy to see why. The donut menu changes daily but may feature such tantalizing flavors as blackberry jam, hibiscus, and coconut lime. 

Now, it’s easier than ever to enjoy the baked goods you love wherever you are, thanks to Mr. Holmes Bakehouse’s brioche and bagel kit. Order online and have the ingredients and recipe card sent to your door so you can make baked donuts from the comfort of your own home.

Surfside Donuts

Location: Pismo Beach

Combining the best of the beach-town, donut, and coffee worlds, Surfside Donuts brings a relaxed environment, creative flavors, and Stumptown coffee to Pismo Beach. Even the traditional favorites have a twist; the chocolate donut, for instance, has been upgraded to the chocolate malted milkshake. Other unique offerings include Mexican hot chocolate, Twix, and caramel latte donuts—they’re all must-try concoctions.

Primo’s Donuts

Location: Los Angeles

The family-owned Primo’s Donuts has been a Los Angeles institution since 1956, withstanding the test of time thanks to its inventive flavors and willingness to adapt to the ever-changing preferences of its customers. Pick up a dozen vegan varieties—including cherry, vanilla, and blueberry—or try longtime staples such as the cinnamon apple donut, orange cake donut with sprinkles, and maple-bacon-crunch bar.

Randy’s Donuts

Location: Inglewood

It’s hard to drive around Los Angeles and not see the iconic building with a giant donut perched on the roof. While Randy’s Donuts might not seem like the fanciest shop on our list, there’s something to be said for the reliable standbys that have been hand-making donuts in the Golden State for the last 60-plus years. 

Randy’s is one of the most recognized donut spots in the country, thanks to its appearances in countless TV shows, music videos, and movies—including Iron Man 2—making it a great addition to your Southern California movie scouting road trip. While you’re there, opt for the decadent s’mores or lemon jelly–filled donuts, and make sure to order a vanilla cruller on the side (just for good measure). 

Which California donut shop is your favorite? Let us know where you plan on celebrating National Donut Day in the comments below.