At long last: Dunkin’ Donuts is coming to California. But don’t get too excited – the shop will be on the Camp Pendleton military base.

This spring, the cult-favorite East Coast chain will launch its first Golden State location in many years in San Diego County, accessible only to the 64,000 people who live, work and train at the base.

Dunkin’ Donuts, which hasn’t operated in California since a short-lived Sacramento store closed a decade ago, said it has no plans to open any other restaurants in the state “at this time.” In recent years, Californians have reported several sightings around the state of what inevitably turns out to be a non-Dunkin’ shop with a similar name or look.

The chain has been marching steadily westward, expanding its reach beyond its Northeast and mid-Atlantic strongholds with outlets in Las Vegas and Arizona as well as branches in the works in Colorado and New Mexico.


Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. went public in July. The company sells packaged coffee in California grocery stores but occasionally torments local residents with advertisements for its famous fresh brews.

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