Capitola

A few miles from the old-school boardwalk fun of Santa Cruz, the little beach town of Capitola feels like its own seaside time machine. On either side of the rainbow Mediterranean-style buildings along the shoreline, called the Venetian Court, you’ll find a mellow beach, a charming walkable village, and a deep inventory of charm.

Where Is Capitola?

Capitola is in Santa Cruz County, southeast of Santa Cruz, and set between Highway 1 and Monterey Bay. The closest airports are in San Jose (35 miles) and Monterey (40 miles).

Much of Capitola is concentrated around Capitola Village, the cluster of boutique- and café-lined streets right next to the beach. Drive a mile or so inland and you’ll find more restaurants, a few chain hotels, and even a small mall.

History of Capitola: The Oldest Beach Resort on the West Coast

For such a small town, Capitola has a big claim to fame as the oldest beach resort on the West Coast. It started out as a tent camp in the 1870s, which was replaced by a majestic Victorian-style hotel (which lasted until 1929), followed by the beachside Italianate homes that now comprise the crayon-box-colored lodgings of the Capitola Venetian Hotel.  You can learn more about the history behind this colorful architecture at the free-admission Capitola Historical Museum, where the grounds include a bath house and a furnished beach cottage from the early 20th century. 

Things to Do in Capitola Beach and on Capitola Wharf

The heart of the town still lies along Capitola Beach and its neighboring Esplanade Park. 

Water Sports and Fishing

To make the most of the sand and water, rent boogie boards, stand-up paddleboards, or surfboards, along with beach chairs and sun umbrellas, from Capitola Beach Company, located a block from the beach.

Be sure to take a walk along the 855-foot Capitola Wharf, which was rebuilt and widened in 2023. Check out the views, set up to fish, or get out on the water with a kayak—you can rent gear at Capitola Boat and Bait, located on the wharf.

Surfing in Capitola

If you want to try a surfing lesson—there are some beginner-friendly waters near the beach—you can stock up on classic gear at Freeline Surf Shop or the local branch of O’Neill Surf Shop, both on 41st Ave.  To watch the experts, head to the area closer to Santa Cruz known as Pleasure Point (at the bottom of 41st Ave.), which has a great view of waves and local surfers from a blufftop sidewalk.

Shopping in Capitola

You could spend a full afternoon exploring Capitola Village, browsing shops such as the beach fashions at Kickback, the seaglass and art at Capitola Seashells, and the design-your-own jewelry at Sun Drop.

Events in Capitola

Here during the summer? Go listen to the free twilight concerts at the beachside Esplanade bandstand, held every Wednesday evening, June through August. 

During September, the city typically hosts two festivals: the Capitola Art & Wine Festival, and the sand sculptures and t=row-boat races at the Capitola Beach Festival.

Where to Stay in Capitola

• For Families or Friend Groups: Book one of the condo-style suites at the Venetian, equipped with full kitchens, where you can walk from your front door right onto the sand or over to the wharf.  
• Great for Couples: Stay overnight in other historic spots in Capitola, like the Inn at Depot Hill, housed in the town’s former Southern Pacific Railroad depot, or the small Capitola Hotel, which sits near the site of the original “Grand Capitola” hotel in the village.
• Budget Getaways: You’ll find branches of mainstream brands—like Best Western, Quality Inn, and Fairfield Inn & Suites—a little farther inland, but still only about a mile from the beach and village.

Where to Eat in Capitola

• Special Occasions: Capitola is home to one of the main destination restaurants in Santa Cruz County: Shadowbrook, a former summer home on a steep hillside that has been a unique, special-occasion restaurant since 1947. The Swiss-chalet-style ambience blends with a menu of beef Wellington, lobster, and California flourishes such as fried artichokes. Dinner begins with a short cable car ride down the hill into the dining room that sits next to the Soquel Creek (say it so-KELL).

Assume that you’ll need reservations for the main dining room (which also has a business-casual dress code) but you can typically walk in for a seat and more casual menu in the Backroom Lounge. The restaurant will even send a vintage-car shuttle to get you if you’re staying within 3 miles.

• Great For Sunset Views: For ocean-view dining options, grab a seat at one of the restaurants lining the beach, such as Zelda’s on the Beach and Paradise Beach Grille. 
• For Easy Breakfast and Lunch to Go: For  a cappuccino and pastry with a view, head upstairs at Mr. Toots Coffeehouse in the village, where the balcony looks out over the beach and the Venetian.
• Don’t miss the picnic-friendly sandwiches and desserts at Gayle’s Bakery and Rosticceria, a short walk from the village, which the San Francisco Chronicle has called “maybe the best bakery anywhere.”
• For Peak Budget Dining: Capitola has two branches of local Santa Cruz chain Pizza My Heart. Insider tip: if you buy the iconic “Pizza My Heart” t-shirt for $8 to $9, the restaurant also throws in a free slice.

More Things to Do in and Near Capitola

Capitola makes a nice home base for more explorations in the area: it’s a short drive to either the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and an easy day trip for redwood-tree-lined hikes at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.

You can also explore the village of Soquel, which dates to the 1840s and has the antiques shops to prove it. Sitting in the shadow of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Soquel also has hilly vineyards and wineries such as Bargetto Winery, established in 1933.