Treat Yourself to the Best Donuts in San Diego at These 13 Local Shops

So, we’ll admit it: maybe donuts aren’t the healthiest of breakfasts out there, but that doesn’t mean you should never indulge in one (or a dozen). Unhealthy foods are fine as long as you enjoy them in moderation, but when it comes to donuts, well, they’re usually too delicious to even think about passing up. And is there any better way to start your morning than with something that gives you the pleasure a donut does? We think not.

Below, you’ll find eight of the best local donut shops in San Diego where you should definitely treat yourself to some donuts this week.

Donuts are one of the most delicious bakes in existence, there’s no denying that. But especially in San Diego, it isn’t always a cheap way for you to treat your coworkers in the morning. GiftYa understands that donuts - while some of the tastiest confectioneries in existence - can sometimes put more of a dent in your wallet than you’d like. That’s why they’ve partnered with a number of local donut shops to help you pay for those donuts. Use one to order some donuts for your next big meeting.

Solomon Bagels & Donuts

Unique flavors? Check! Scrumptious base donuts? Double check! 

Enjoy some tasty savory and sweet dishes right at Solomon Bagels & Donuts in San Diego! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

4152 30th Street | North Park | solomonbagels.com

If there’s one thing we believe should be universally true to all donuts, it’s that they should be as fresh as possible when you first get them. At Solomon Bagels & Donuts, their donuts aren’t only fresh - they’re unique too!

Baking is their passion at Solomon’s, and they love to test out new inventive flavors in both their donuts and their bagels. 

If you’re more on the traditional side, you can always try one of their delicious classic donuts, but we have a feeling you won’t want to miss out on their pineapple upside down donuts!

“Never thought I'd say vegan donuts taste similar or even better than regular donuts! Definitely a must-try spot for vegans or anyone who loves donuts.” - Yelp Review

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Lucky Donuts House

Best Donuts and Pan Mexicano in all of San Diego!

Lucky Donuts House has been making some of the best donuts for the past fifteen years, so check it out! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

909 Grand Avenue | Pacific Beach | luckydonutshouse.com

Serving the San Diego area for over fifteen years now, Lucky Donuts House has established itself as a favorite amongst the residents there. Not only are their donuts delicious, but they're incredibly affordable - especially for San Diego!

At Lucky Donuts House, they’ve vowed to use only the best possible ingredients on the market. Not only will your donuts taste amazing, but they’ll leave you feeling amazing as well. Now that’s what we call a good donut!

Pick up a single donut to enjoy before your morning appointment or grab a whole dozen or two to take into work with you so you can share the confectionary goodness with all of your coworkers!

“I walked in and the smell of fresh donuts made me drool. First thing that caught my eye was the apple burrito. All I can say is: WOW.” - Yelp Review

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Christy’s Donuts

A good donut means very little if the people who hand it to you aren’t as lovely as possible like at Christy’s!

Looking for a new regular spot to get some of the best donuts around, check out Christy’s Donuts! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

3710 Voltaire Street | Point Loma | facebook.com/christysdonuts

Looking for a new regular spot to get your donuts that’s consistent in the quality of both their donuts and their service? Christy’s Donuts might not seem like much from the outside, but inside is a delightful donut haven for people of all ages.

The customer service at Christy’s is something to beat, no matter what time of day you stop in. There are always fresh donuts to be found, and it doesn’t hurt that they’re some of the tastiest ones around.

As a well-established family-friendly donut shop, Christy’s is the perfect place for you to bring your kiddos by on the weekend for a sweet treat.

“Great, quick service and even better donuts! I came at 6 o'clock in the afternoon and the donuts were still so fresh. We were very surprised that they had such a great selection available!” - Yelp Review

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Golden Donuts

Try out some delicious donuts at a famous donut shop in San Diego!

Talk about uniformity! It’s their mission at Golden Donuts to make the best, most uniform donuts as they possibly can with every batch. Image courtesy of Instagram. 

2360 University Avenue | North Park | facebook.com/goldendonuts

While you can expect pretty much any donut you pick up to be sweet, not everyone is a fan of the sickly sweet flavors that accompany a lot of the more well-known donut establishments around San Diego - let alone the whole country.

If you’re the kind of person who likes a donut on occasion, but doesn’t really get them often because of how sweet they usually are, then step aside! Golden Donuts is home to donuts that are just sweet enough to curb that craving but not so sweet that they’ll leave you feeling ill.

Regulars are obsessed with their maple bars, and don’t even get us started on their old-fashioned style donuts. There’s no way you could regret a visit to this local favorite.

“They're just really good donuts.Theirs have a nice satisfying crunch on the outside, and very soft and moist on the inside. Just the way it should be.” - Yelp Review

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Donut Bar

Enjoy some of the freshest vegan donut options in San Diego!

The sign of a good donut shop is one that makes you salivate the second you step through the door - and that’s exactly what you’ll get at Donut Bar. Image courtesy of Instagram. 

1380 Garnet Avenue | Pacific Beach | donutbar.com

Are you looking for a new regular donut place where you can be sure that you’ll like at least one thing on the menu? Donut Bar has won more awards for their delicious, inventive donuts than they know what to do with.

In fact, they’re considered one of the top donut establishments in the world, holding the most number of award-winning donuts on their menu. Come in prepared with an appetite because these are probably some of the biggest donuts you’ve ever seen.

Even better: they have a number of vegan options for your health-conscious friends to indulge in as well. You probably won’t be needing more than one of these, but you could always save some as leftovers.

“They have an enormous amount of selection! I loved my maple and bacon donut and the strawberries and cream one. It's a must try!” - Yelp Review

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Donut Panic

Do-nut panic! Get some amazing donuts right here at this fun donut shop!

Don’t panic when you see the donuts at Donut Panic...their donuts taste just as good as they look! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

6171 Mission Gorge Road | Grantville | donutpanic42.com

Looking for a place where the donuts they make are decorated almost too nicely for you to eat? At Donut Panic, they’re determined to make sure you get the best quality donuts for the price you pay for them - and that includes the decoration.

With a wide array of vegan options, anyone can enjoy a donut or two here at Donut Panic, and you’ll love it whether you realize that it’s vegan or not. They’re very conscientious about how they package their donuts as well! 

Usually, if you’re purchasing a combination of both vegan and non-vegan donuts, they’ll ask you if you’d like them bagged together or separately so as to make sure that there’s no unnecessary cross-contamination. Now that’s what we call customer service!

“Not only was the gentleman that took our order the sweetest ever, but all the vegan donuts we got were out of this world! They had some incredible flavors. I'll definitely be coming back!” - Yelp Review

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Fresh Golden Donuts

Get the freshest donuts at this hot spot in San Diego!

You know the donuts are good when there’s a good chance they’ll sell out before the day is over. Image courtesy of Instagram.

1061 Tierrasanta Boulevard | Tierrasanta | facebook.com/freshgoldendonuts

At Fresh Golden Donuts, their daily batches of doughy goodness are a hot commodity, so don’t miss out on your chance to get them while they’re fresh and there’s plenty for the picking. When they sell out, they’ll be out for the day, so it’s best to stop in early.

Regulars tout the donuts at Fresh Golden Donuts as some of the best in all of San Diego, and we reckon we ought to believe them. Not only are their donuts absolutely delicious, but they’re also some of the most affordable in the city. 

We’re not sure if you can beat getting ten donut holes for only $1. Their customer service isn’t too shabby either, if the warm welcomes many customers describe in their reviews are any indication.

“The donuts are fresh and there is also a wide variety. Opens early so I can get my donut fix on the way to work.” - Yelp Review

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Copper Top Coffee & Donuts

Check out a donut shop where you can customize your donuts!

Do you love being able to customize your donuts? If so, make sure to check out Copper Top Coffee & Donuts! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

101 W Washington Street | Hillcrest | coppertopcoffee.com

Customizable donuts? Sign us up! Image courtesy of Copper Top Coffee & Donuts Instagram. 

If you’ve ever wished you could order a donut with whatever combination of toppings you want, no matter how odd that combination might be, then we may have just found your new favorite place in all of San Diego.

Sometimes you get weird cravings, and there’s not really anything you can do to satisfy them unless you go out of your way to combine them. Pickles and peanut butter anyone?

Okay, so pickles and peanut butter probably won’t be an option, but there’s nothing stopping you from combining, say, peanut butter with some Andes mints if you so choose to. With fresh cake donuts made by the hour, all you have to do is show up and tell them how you’d like to top off your donuts!

“Copper Top had a sleek VIBE. The donuts are hot. They are served in cardboard boxes. They are made by hand, drenched and then sprinkled (think nuts, chips, coconut, banana).” - Yelp Review

Devil’s Dozen Donut Shop

With some amazing signature coffee flavors and classic donuts, this is the place for you!

Are you interested in a delicious donut or two? Make sure to consider Devil’s Dozen Donut Shop today! Image courtesy of Instagram.

2001 Kettner Boulevard | Little Italy | devils-dozen.com

Are you in Little Italy in San Diego looking for some incredible donut flavors to try out? Don’t miss out on Devil’s Dozen Donut Shop then! There is something about this place that makes it stand out from the rest. It has a lot of amazing and classic donut flavors, and they even brew their own coffee that is brewed fresh every hour.

Don’t miss out on some amazing donut flavors such as cinnamon sugar, chocolate, nutella hazelnut, s’mores, vanilla bean, old fashioned, and even get a mix n’ match of their donut homes too. Check out Devil’s Dozen Donut Shop right now so you don’t miss out!

“There are full-size donuts as well as donut holes. I got the guava and cream cheese donut and it did not disappoint.” - Yelp Review 

Rose Donuts

There’s nothing better than a fresh donut and a cup of coffee to go along with it!

You need to stop by and try out Rose Donuts right now to enjoy a locally-owned donut shop and some amazing coffee too! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

5201 Linda Vista Boulevard | Linda Vista | facebook.com/rosedonuts

Are you looking for an interesting donut shop that has a little bit of everything? If so, don’t worry because we think that Rose Donuts is just for you! This amazing place is perfect whenever you’re in the mood for a coffee and donuts, or even just a savory and freshly made breakfast sandwich.

Don’t miss out on the apple fritters, breakfast croissants, bagel sandwiches, maple bacon donuts, glazed twist donuts, egg and cheese croissants, and much more at this cute little donut shop. Check out Rose Donuts as soon as you can for a donut you won’t forget about!

“I could eat a boat load of them! The glaze cracked beautifully and gave a nice crunch, giving way to a soft pillowy ball of goodness with a creamy custard center.” - Yelp Review 

Buy a gift card for Rose Donuts

Sesame Donuts

Want to enjoy some giant and delicious donuts? If so, make sure to check out this place!

There is nothing better than a donut to get your morning started off right, so make sure to check out Sesame Donuts right now! Image courtesy of Instagram.

11040 Rancho Carmel Drive | Windcrest Lane | sesamedonutssd.com

If you are craving donuts, but are not sure where to get them in San Diego, we think that you need to check out Sesame Donuts as soon as you can! Sesame Donuts is known for their great quality and fresh donuts that they serve each and every day that you need to try out ASAP to see what the hype is all about.

Are you craving a donut right at this second? If so, make sure to try out their fresh cinnamon rolls, powdered jelly donuts, chocolate glazed, strawberry frosted, coconut donuts, and much more. Don’t look past Sesame Donuts and try them out right now!

“I've been coming here for years-without doubt the best donuts ever. The quality is great and they are always so friendly and appreciative.” - Yelp Review

Buy a gift card for Sesame Donuts

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee

“The World’s Freshest Doughnuts” are sold here, so try them out now!

Wake up and drive over to Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee for a tasty donut and coffee to start your morning! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

3435 Del Mar Heights Road | Carmel Valley | sidecardoughnuts.com

Are you interested in trying out some delicious donuts in San Diego? While there are so many incredible places to go to, we think that you need to try out Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee right now! This amazing place makes their donuts fresh and from scratch on a daily basis with top quality ingredients with no preservatives either!

Check out Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee where you need to try out all of their donuts from the old fashioned to the maple bacon, cinnamon crumb, chocolate, huckleberry, Madagascar vanilla bean glazed, lemon poppyseed, samoa, blueberry pancake, and much more. With so many incredible donuts to try out, go to Sidecar doughnuts & Coffee today!

“The donuts were delicious and fluffy . They were airy and had the right amount of sugar . The star flavor for me was the Choc-A-Lot.” - Yelp Review 

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Sunny Donuts

A 24-hour donut shop where there are donuts, croissants, and much more!

No matter what time of the day you’re craving a donut, check out Sunny Donuts where they’re open 24/7! Image courtesy of Instagram. 

9330 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard | Kearny Mesa | facebook.com/sunnydonuts

Are you craving donuts right now? No matter what time of the day it is, make sure to check out Sunny Donuts right now! Sunny Donuts is the perfect place to go to whenever you’re craving a donut, coffee, or breakfast sandwich. They are perfect for breakfast and to get your morning started, and this family-owned shop is where it’s at.

Don’t wait any longer and go to Sunny Donuts where you can try out the chocolate honey donut, apple spice with apple filling, coconut kreme, Boston kreme, old fashioned, French delight, vanilla kreme, apple fritter, maple glazed, and much more. Come to Sunny’s Donuts right now to try out some of their signature donuts now!

“Oh my gosh where has Sunny Donuts been my whole life?! I normally don't buy doughnuts because I have zero self control (and hate sharing). I am so glad I stopped in, though.” - Yelp Review 

Buy a gift card for Sunny Donuts

If we’ve done our job correctly, you might just be about to begin a pilgrimage to find the best possible donuts you can in San Diego. Let us know what your favorites are in the comments below!