South Swell Donuts - Laguna Beach

Whenever I visit this place, I can't help but notice the bright smiles on everyone’s faces. What’s behind that? There are plenty of reasons, but the standout is how special South Swell Donuts truly is. Here’s a little secret: I make it a point to come here whenever I can. For breakfast, I always go for the jalapeno ham and cheese croissant, and for lunch, I love the croissant sandwich, finishing off with a donut for dessert. And don't miss out on the cronut—it's an absolute delight. Enjoy your visit!

Wow! That was my first visit to South Swell, and it was incredible. You really don't need my humble words; just go and experience it for yourself! I had a donut this morning, and I'm definitely considering coming back for a sandwich later. The service was so friendly!

South Swell Donuts is located in Laguna Beach on Pacific Coast Highway, nestled between 2nd and 3rd streets. There’s limited street parking available right outside the shop, as well as up the hill at the corner. After finally finding a parking spot, my mother and I walked in and were greeted with a cheerful "Hello, Honey!" from the friendly owner, Jackie, who turned out to be the most delightful lady! We inquired about the pho, but as luck would have it and due to the rainy weather, Jackie informed us that they had sold out earlier in the day because of high demand. No worries, though—we could still grab some donuts! Jackie recommended we try her cronut, along with two other varieties and an apple fritter. We also picked up some milk to enjoy with our treats. Despite being a family-run donut shop, their twisted donuts are on the smaller side, but oh so delicious! There’s something uniquely creamy and fluffy about them that sets them apart from the typical airy, sugary donuts. South Swell donuts are definitely a step above your average mom-and-pop shop offerings. The cronut is an absolute must-try! It’s dense, crispy, and fluffy all at once—truly delightful! Their donuts aren’t overly sweet like Krispy Kreme, yet they still have that melt-in-your-mouth texture. While they might not be as complex in flavor as those from Side Car Donuts, they shine with classic tastes. I left very satisfied with the donuts and can’t wait to return when I’m in the area! Jackie’s warm customer service alone is enough to entice me back, and hopefully on my next visit, I’ll finally get to indulge in a bowl of her pho—rain or shine!

Something else. I enjoyed the donuts that were at industry prices. I tried the simple cake and glazed swirl. The lady who runs it is really nice. 5 stars

Jackie is the best!!! Make sure you help her fix the TV. Hot and fresh.