Taste Santa Monica’s donut culture on an outdoor walking tour
2 hours
Donuts, churros, ice cream
Explore Santa Monica’s sweet side on an outdoor walking tour celebrating California donut culture. Sample plenty of donuts while learning about the city’s culinary history.
Your journey begins at the iconic Randy’s Donuts, a beloved Southern California institution now nestled in the heart of Santa Monica. Famous for its larger-than-life donut signage and equally oversized flavors, this spot has been delighting donut lovers since the 1950s. While you savor a classic glazed or a unique specialty donut, we’ll share the story of how this landmark became a symbol of California culture.
Next, we’ll head to a chic bakery that has redefined what it means to make a donut. Here, you’ll experience treats crafted with gourmet ingredients and bold, innovative flavors. As you indulge, we’ll delve into the story of Santa Monica’s transformation into a culinary hotspot, exploring how its food scene blends creativity with coastal charm.
From there, we’ll make a stop at a vibrant eatery known for its fusion of Mexican-inspired treats. You’ll taste fresh churros that rival any donut, paired with rich, decadent dipping sauces. Along the way, we’ll discuss Santa Monica’s cultural diversity and how its history has been shaped by the many communities that call this city home.
Our final stop takes us to the renowned McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, where you’ll enjoy one last sweet bite of Santa Monica magic. Known for its creamy, handcrafted flavors, this spot offers the perfect way to cool down and cap off your tour. As you savor your ice cream, we’ll share tales of Santa Monica Pier’s iconic history, from its early days as a recreational retreat to its role as a world-famous landmark.
This tour is the perfect mix of sweet indulgence, local flavor, and coastal history, offering a unique and delicious way to experience the charm of Santa Monica.
Full refund for cancellations at least 24 hours before the tour. No refund for cancellations within 24 hours.
Product ID: 9622NP
No. The tour does not return to the starting location.
Plan for a roughly 1.5–2 mile outdoor walk. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
Arrive on time. The group will wait up to 10 minutes after the start time, then the tour begins.
Randy's Donuts, 829 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
The guides really make this experience special. Reviewers consistently praise their tour leaders by name—Wade, Beau, Eric, Jackson, Nick, Michael, Emily, and others—describing them as knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely engaging. What stands out is how these guides weave local history and city stories into the walking tour, making it much more than just a food crawl. Multiple guests mention learning fascinating historical facts about their city while sampling donuts, and several reviewers who've taken tours in different cities (Chicago, Portland, DC, Boston, NYC) report consistently excellent experiences across locations. The donut quality gets thumbs up, with most stops offering delicious variety in styles and flavors. Expect comfortable seating at each location, which people appreciate. Tours typically run about two hours and cover a good walking distance, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Several locals have used these tours to entertain out-of-town visitors with great success, and at least one repeat customer has done six tours and counting. It's clearly a hit for dates, birthdays, and family outings alike.
Great tour! They had gluten free options at 3 out of 4 stops.
Hailey
August 31, 2026
Great tour! They had gluten free options at 3 out of 4 stops.
Hailey
August 31, 2026
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