Donut Holes
Bite-sized, glazed to perfection.
268 mentions on Yelp
Family-owned in San Diego since 1989
Donuts made with love, every morning at 5.
Hand-glazed classics, fluffy crèmes, and warm croissants — baked daily in our little Rancho Carmel shop.
4.6· 823 Yelp reviews
99/100 health score
Most loved
Today's favorites
Strawberry Cream Cheese Croissant
Flaky pastry, sweet strawberry, tangy cream cheese.
40 mentions on Yelp
Vanilla Cream Filled
Pillowy soft and so fluffy inside.
18 mentions on Yelp
Boston Cream Pie
Custard heart, glossy chocolate top.
22 mentions on Yelp
Maple Bar
Long bar of yeast donut with a maple glaze.
27 mentions on Yelp
Cinnamon Roll Donut
Swirls of cinnamon sugar with a sweet glaze.
19 mentions on Yelp
Our story
A neighborhood bakery, three generations strong.
Established in 1989, Sesame Donuts has been a Rancho Carmel staple for over thirty years. After the beloved Mr. and Mrs. Kim retired, owners Rubi and Cornelio Yenez carry the tradition forward — same recipes, same early mornings, same kindness behind the counter.
Read our storyFrom our neighbors
Loved by San Diego
4.6 stars across 823 Yelp reviews — and counting.
"I still love them! For many years our church has enjoyed these delicious donuts after our service. The new owners have our order boxed and ready for early Sunday morning pickup — about 4½ boxes of assorted yummy donuts and donut holes. Let's all support this Mom & Pop store — we need more family-run businesses like Sesame Donuts."
"None compare to this small Mom and Pop shop. The owners take such good care of every customer — and the donuts are consistently fresh and delicious. The vanilla crème is so fluffy it almost melts."
"Our Sunday tradition. Show up at 6 AM and the smell hits you the second the door opens. The maple bars are unreal and the donut holes are gone before we even get back to the car."
"I will happily drive past the big chain donut shop next door to come here. Friendlier service, better donuts, and a 99/100 health score. The strawberry cream cheese croissant is a hidden gem."
Bring home a dozen.
Call ahead for big orders, custom boxes, or office mornings. We open at 5 AM, every single day.