Santa Monica Donut Tour: Four Sweet Stops with Holiday Cheer

Four stops, gourmet donuts, warm churros, and a finale that shifts with the group

A two-hour guided food tour in Santa Monica that hits four sweet stops: Randy's Donuts (the California icon with the famous giant donut), Sidecar Doughnuts (handcrafted gourmet creations), Papi Churros & Tacos, and a fourth stop that varies by weather and group preference. You walk through 3rd Street Promenade decorated for the holidays and finish near Santa Monica Beach and Pier. A live English-speaking guide leads the route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Santa Monica Beach and Pier30m
2. Third Street Promenade30m

Santa Monica holiday sweet treats tour

• Visit Randy's Donuts
• Try artisanal donuts at Sidecar Doughnuts
• Enjoy churros and birria tacos at Papi Churros & Tacos
• Stop at a surprise donut shop or Santa Monica Beach
• Walk through 3rd Street Promenade shops

The experience

The tour starts at Randy's Donuts, the California institution you've probably seen in movies and music videos: the one with the enormous donut on the roof. The donuts here are smaller than that landmark, but the bold flavors and classic recipes are what keep people coming back. From there you move to Sidecar Doughnuts, where the donuts are handcrafted and gourmet, each one designed to feel like a gift. The third stop is Papi Churros & Tacos, where you get warm, crispy churros coated in sugar. The birria tacos there are worth trying too if you want something savory alongside the sweets.

The route takes you through 3rd Street Promenade, where palm trees are strung with lights and holiday decorations fill the storefronts and restaurants. The fourth and final stop is flexible. It might be another donut shop nearby or it might end at Santa Monica Beach and Pier, depending on the weather and how far the group wants to walk. A live guide in English leads the whole thing and decides the route as you go, so the experience shifts a little each time.

What’s included

• Donuts at each stop.
• a live English-speaking guide leading the route.
• walks through 3rd Street Promenade and past holiday decorations.
• access to a fourth stop that varies based on weather and group preference.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00, 14:00 and 17:00Last departure this season: 4 Jan 2027

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (under 11)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Underground Donut Tour

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guide to sequence three set donut stops plus one flexible choice, so you taste different styles without deciding the route yourself or managing the pacing across two hours.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 11).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Santa Monica Donut Tour and what does it include?

The tour runs two hours and includes donuts at three named stops plus a fourth stop that varies. You're walking the whole time through 3rd Street Promenade and the surrounding area, so comfortable shoes matter.

What exactly is Randy's Donuts and why is it famous?

Randy's Donuts is a California donut institution known for the giant donut that sits on top of the building. You've seen it in movies and music videos. The donuts inside are smaller but made with bold flavors and classic recipes.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on the tour are wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed.

What's included in the tour price?

Donuts are included at each stop. Gratuities and any parking fees are separate.

Can I do this tour during the holidays?

The tour runs year-round, and the holidays are highlighted as the perfect time to visit. The 3rd Street Promenade is decorated with seasonal lights and festive displays, and the tour blends that holiday cheer with the coastal charm of Santa Monica.