I LOVE donuts. I have my whole life, and when it came time to get married, my fiance (now husband) and I knew that we wouldn't be happy with a tiered wedding cake when FRIED, GLAZED, SPRINKLED cakes existed in this world. Of course planning a wedding from 3K miles away is hard... unfortunately, I didn't have the time or means to do cake tastings or scour the bay area for gourmet donut makers. Thank goodness I didn't! Based on the great reviews from Yelp, I blindly called the Donut Station and asked to order 13 dozen donuts, which they said would be no problem. The afternoon before my wedding, I walked into the Capitola location, ticked off all the flavors that I wanted (there are 26 flavors), paid with a credit card, and arranged for a friend to pick them up and drop them at our wedding site on the day of the wedding. They even invited us taste every single donut in the store (dream come true) just to make sure we were ordering the right ones. Even at 4pm on a Friday, they were fresh, crispy, sweet and perfectly crumby. The raised glazed is my favorite, and they were so light and airy! The old fashioned is hard to beat outside of California, and again, they were perfection - crispy, dense and rich inside, cinnamon & sugared evenly. The 26 flavors are so simple and fantastic, too - every combination of raised, chocolate raised, cake, chocolate cake, old fashioned, chocolate old fashioned, blueberry (cake & old fashioned) and the toppings. To say that it went over well at the reception would be an understatement. They were visually delicious, and lived up to every expectation. Guests were so excited, and the anticipation of choosing which flavor I wanted was probably the hardest thing I had to deal with all day! Plus there were just a few squirreled away for a late-night snack, thanks to my wedding coordinator ;) My one regret is that I didn't order more! (If you're thinking of serving donuts at an event or party, plan for 1.5-2 donuts per person... no one can eat just one.) Thanks to the entire Donut Station Crew - wish we had donuts like these in Brooklyn! read more

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Great doughnuts. Great Buttermilk Bars. But the most outstanding offering is the Cruller. They don't make very many, so get in there early and get one. (or two) Nice family run shop, always fresh tasting. Full of regulars every morning hanging out reading the newspaper. Only drawback, the petulant teenage daughter who works the counter sometimes. She likes to talk on her cell phone while she is waiting on customers. Oh well, working for Mom and Dad must be a drag. read more

This is a locally very friendly early morning coffee and donut spot more or less on the main way into the capitola beach. They have their own private lot which while small will have parking available when you arrive. This is a medium to small spot and it's wayyyy better to come in the morning before the summer heat builds up. Many places in this area do not have air conditioning due to the seasonal chill, and this place is no exception. Come on a summer afternoon when the sun is up and beaming through the windows, and you'd better make this a to go order. The seating and decor are pure old school functional american donut shop. The walls and tables are pastel colors. The larger tables are up front and the two spot tables run down the back. Service is of the order,pay and get served at the counter model. This is a cash only joint, which is fairly typical of donut shops in the area. Perhaps in part because of that (keeping costs low) pricing here is very wallet friendly. Coffee and a donut can be had for about three dollars depending on choices made. The coffee is the fairly unremarkable drip/percolator style, but they do offer ten or so choices as to type, mostly from santa cruz coffee roasting (which has an excellent french roast, amongst other styles). The donuts are likewise your standard choices-plain, glazed, cake, old fashioned, fritters, cinnamon rolls,and croissants. They do a fair trade in breakfasty bagel/croissant stuff which considering the pricing are solid choices. As mentioned this is a local hangout especially in the early mornings. Not the stuffy standoffish kind of locals either. Be prepared to be greeted and spoken to by just about everybody inside. Also be prepared to share your table if you get one of the larger front window facing ones, assuming you leave a chair or two open. Mature ladies be warned that there is at least one friendly and ambitious widower on site. Overall it's a good choice for your basic cuppa and sweet fixin's. read more

The paradise for donuts lovers! Small welcoming place, people are kind, you can sit and have a coffee in a relaxed family-type environment, and the donuts are very very good Enjoy! read more

We walked into this shop late morning on a Saturday and they were almost all out of donuts. We ordered the very few that were left and it was delicious. We went there because our youngest wanted sprinkled donuts for her birthday. When the owner (I assume) heard that, she went out of her way to make 2 sprinkled donuts for her. Absolutely made her day! Thank you! read more

Alway very friendly . Fresh donuts you got to get there early to get best selection . But there all good

This is one of the Best donut shops in all of Santa Cruz county. A secret of Capitola. The women who work there are super friendly also. read more

Really cute donut shop and all the reviews are right when they say great service I had my baby with me so one of the women carries put my box of donuts without me even asking. Also the donuts are great! Will be back! Just know i went around 10 and they were already out of a lot, still great but if you want something specific gwt there early read more

The donuts here are great! Not only is the food good but the staff are very welcoming and accommodating. It's cash only so make sure you have some on you since the atm isn't always available. A great little place to go in the morning in capitola with a caring staff! read more

Choo choo! I'll head to this donut station anytime. Had my first experience here this morning. They had all my favorite donuts! Also, Tina rules! Friendly and accommodating read more

I wrote a review a few months ago, but I had to go back and give this place the love it deserves. DS has become my favorite neighbor hood spot to get a breakfast sandwich and a cup of coffee. This family owned and operated shop has better Bear Claws then Gail's (its not even close) and I think some of the best doughnuts in town. It is also the unofficial home of the Capitola old guy club, and they are there everyday chatting and milling about. This place is like a snapshot out of time, and reminds me of the coffee shops back east that served as community hubs in the winter months. CASH and CHECK only! Its not that hard to remember, but in case you forget they have an ATM inside that charges less then two dollars. read more

OMG! I just found our new Chanukkah donut shop. One word: Sufganiyot! (Their jelly donuts are awesome!) Two more: Apple Fritter! (So crispy and delicious - they make them wide and low so they aren't all soggy like an awful fritter at other not-so-tasty locations around town!) read more

I love the Donut Station! I started visiting the Donut Station in 2015 while building our home near by. Cindi and Tina are the most welcoming, charming and inclusive business owners I have ever met and have been the same for nearly 35 years. The donuts, sandwiches and bagels are fresh and delicious. But it really stands out for me because of the community environment they have created. They love their neighbors and the neighbors love them. I happen to walk in on a Thursday and the place was like a party. They were celebrating customer birthdays of the month. It was amazing. Stop by, I think you will love it too. Barry B read more

Donut Station has some of the best tasting donuts around. I consider myself a donut connoisseur so I am quite hip to the donut game. Today is actually "National Donut Day" so I was super stoked to go in and buy a dozen for my family. The donuts were almost sold out by 11am and this is not just because of the Donut Holiday... Capitola locals and beyond have made this shop very busy and most days they are almost sold out by 11. The owners are friendly and really appreciate the business. And a quick heads up they only take CASH and CHECK. Quick taste thought: The donuts have a very fresh taste, a slight crisp crunch on the outside and a very soft center. To me that is the perfect donut. I have tried every donut from every shop in Santa Cruz County--as I have lived here my entire life and Donut Station has "the Goods". Thanks! read more

.....long story short, I realized I had NO CASH. ATM ONLY. I only brought a card and just selected half a dozen! The most trusting and calm women said " no problem, just pay us when you do:) This place had delightful donuts, a wonderful morning experience, and juju. But next time, with the order of a full dozen! read more

Noon (owner) is a cool guy and I like hanging out there. You can chat up some local elders while eating a ham and cheese croissant and drinking truckstop coffee. If your not into that "old school" early morning punch in the bread basket that deep fried white flour, sugar and paint peeler coffee gives ya... Fear not. You can order one of their new bagels and some premium Santa Cruz Coffee and eat in your Beemer. read more

I am partial to this place. I love all the people who work here! I have coffee from here every day. I try and resist all the goodies but sometimes I can't help myself and I indulge in a turnover or cherry cheese danish!!! read more

I loooove this place. Their donuts are off the charts. I stopped by here in a pinch needing to grab a dozen donuts for a girlfriend's meet-up group. Needless to say everyone was thoroughly impressed. Their maple bar tastes like something you'd find at a small chalet in Eastern Canada. Highly recommend. read more

Donut Station - Donuts Near Me - Capitola, California

We drive all the way from Scotts Valley for these donuts. They are the best, truly. Come early as they sell out very fast.

I've been there four times now and so far I have had a blueberry and a lemon muffin, a bear claw and the coconut donuts. Have to say some of the best in Santa Cruz County.Fresh and moist and tasty. read more

Absolutely love this place. Been coming here for a few months now for a donut and a coffee and I won't go anywhere else. The donuts are delicious and people working there are incredibly kind. It's a bummer they're not open all day but it's probably better for my waistline. read more

Donut Station is the BEST in the area. Just go, you will not be disappointed. It has been there for years. Note: they use beet sugar, I was told, in their donuts which has to be better for you! read more

Donut Station - Donuts Near Me - Capitola, California

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The best donut shop in the Santa Cruz/Capitola area. The family that runs this particular shop is SUPER friendly. The donuts are always fresh unlike some other shops in the area. The quality of the donuts is really top notch. They don't have a huge selection but they don't need to have one as the donuts they do have are AWESOME! read more

We LOVE the Donut Station in Capitola, located behind the Fresh Produce & flower shop. Donuts are always fresh and the neighborhood locals area always here early for a variety of coffees. People are wonderful and so are Cindy and Tina, the owners of the shop! Go early, get a box and bring for your friends, they will soon be fans too! read more

Was in town for business needed a quick breakfast. This place is cheap and good. Staff was friendly. It is a den of fried dough happiness in a part of the country where granola and açaí bowls reign. read more

Dayum. SO good. I go out of my way for these donuts, probably too often. Perfectly done and finished, and the old-fashioned variety are STILL good two days later in their little paper bag: I should know, since I usually overbuy and leftovers are almost a given. Hand down, people. This is the spot. read more

Let me preface by saying I come from an inner circle of bakeries. I stopped here based on the unsuspecting yelp review and must say I don't not agree with the buzz. I've tried doughnuts from all around the country (from Voodoo all the way to Doughnut Plant). I may be wasting me time going in to depth but my craving was met with dire disappoint. Blame it in my blood sugar crash if you will. The owner and staff were very friendly and the bakery carried a nostalgic feel. As far as doughnuts are concerned, the dough was very heavy and greasy, even for a simple raised plain glaze. Hours later I still cannot get the filmy feeling from the roof of my mouth. Guess I expected a level above day old grocery store baked goods. I was wrong. read more

Great coffee selection from local roasters and decadent donuts. It's the perfect neighborhood donut shop!

ok. here we go. in the interest of the yelper nation, I hereby abandon an extremely selfish behavior that was lurking in my gut. It didn't make me feel good. Even though I could roll in here anytime and revel in the finest pastries and local coffee, served up by the sweetest folks in the biz, I was being greedy. I wasn't revealing my favorite donut shop in the world, a hopefully eternal institution of mythical proportions, thinking people bout to crowd up my turf again, to the yelpers. I am a changed man. What the hell was I doing?? It's like denying who you are when as a yelper you fail to share a place close to your heart with the nation. Cindy and Tina bust in here every day and a smile from one of them will kick your ass into a positive mood if you're being a grinch. Their donuts are the best in this county, rivaling the bests ya'll got in your areas at the least. OK F&*^K IT, I WILL TELL THe TRUTH. THESE LADIES MAKE THE BEST DONUTS IN THE WORLD. They are straight up fine french pastries at honest folk prices. If you roll through Santa Cruz hankering for a donut don't hesitate exiting Bay and tucking a left at Capitola Ave and pull in and say hello. Ignore that overbloated underserved overpriced thang called Gayle's across the street. Come get some Santa Cruz Coffee Roaster fresh brew and some home fried asia america santa cruz county love. Be cool if you find yourself in line and smile to the people next to you. thanks. read more

Great service wonderful atmosphere! Part of my everyday routine. Always has donut holes for my son.

Simply fantastic and certainly the best in Santa Cruz. All the baked goods are made on premise by hand, the coffee is locally roasted, the bakery is local-family-owned and operated. The Donut Station is a true gem conveniently nestled just a couple blocks off PCH in Capitola. Let the family staff warmly greet you and their delicious donuts, pastries and coffee make your mouth and belly sing. I only ask for this local tip that you leave me a few glazed twists. Yum, yum! read more

I love trains. I love donuts. I love donut station. The staff is always very welcoming even on busy mornings. I true treat!

Tasty old school donuts. Nothing fancy. Cheap and filling with all the classics. Very nice service.

By far the best donut place in Santa Cruz County. Their coffees (Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting, lots of choices) and breakfast sandwiches are also terrific. Hard to choose among their donuts because they're all perfect, but I'm very partial to their blueberry, old-fashioned, jelly, and anything maple. Super nice family owns the place. Love the friendly, local atmosphere. read more

Visited a few weeks ago while visiting up North. Great little Donut shop. They unfortunately don't sell lotto tickets but the donuts are awesome. So helpless to delicious donuts. read more

Donut Station is my downfall whenever I visit Capitola. Gayle's across the street may be fancier, but Donut Station serves better coffee and the people who work there are sweeter than the donuts they serve. read more

As a Baker, you definitely recognize the importance of quality, which translate to bomb donuts. This is the place for good donuts, I've been in the baking game for years and I have to say this is my choice for quality goodness. read more

We're so lucky to live close to Donut Station! It was the first place we went to the day we moved to Capitola, and we didn't need to search further. I'm a donut lover (my grandma made them fresh) and know a good cruller or old fashioned when I taste one. These are PERFECT! The owners bake them fresh on site every night. I've often walked by in the evening and just stopped outside to smell them cooking... Lots of flavors to choose--from raised glazed (heavenly light) to apple fritters (dense and chewy) and everything in between.. Come early for best selection, but we often stop in after 1 pm and still find a reasonable selection. They make good coffee and have a good variety of juices, iced teas, read more

Great place to go get donuts. I come here whenever I have a donut craving. The donuts here taste fresh and they're so delicious. The owners are really nice & the donuts are well priced. I love this place! read more

When we left Livermore, we thought that we would not find a better donut shop then the one down town, but we did. It is the Donut Station.