Planning for some holiday time? How about nestling along beach chairs with cute umbrellas? Sea, sand, and surfing – can never go wrong when you plan to get rid of that constant work pressure. Today, I’m going to talk about a small central coast Capitola located in California. This is one of the hidden gems of the US any day. Read this blog till the end because I’ll be covering all the must-see spots, local secrets, ways to go there, and fun things to do in Capitola.
Don’t just assume it to be just a beach town, it’s so much more than that. Colorful cottages, street arts, coastal cool splash, exquisite food – this town might just surprise you.
Slide on your flip-flops and get ready to go to this hidden gem with me. Oh, make sure to buy some colorful flip-flops. You don’t want to look boring in a vibrant place, do you?
Capitola: Location & Overview
If you want to know exactly where Capitola is located, you can find it on Google Maps. But in case you don’t feel like taking a break from this read, let me give you a detailed location of this coastal town. Or should I call it a seaside village! – That’d be more accurate I guess.
So Capitola is tucked along California’s Monterey Bay. For someone living in Santa Cruz, it’s just a short drive. A time reference may help you understand – Capitola is a one-and-a-half-hour drive from the South of San Francisco.
Imagine a small village with sandy shores, vibrant Mediterranean-style houses, waterfront restaurants, a lot of boutique shops, and stunning ocean views. That’s Capitola. Away from all the hustle and bustle of city life – a perfect place to lay back and relax while losing your mind to nature.
How to Get to Capitola
Getting to Capitola is a breeze if you are someone coming from the Bay area. This journey is half the fun. You’d probably need an hour and a half to get to Capitola. Here’s an easy road map for you.
- Hop on Highway 17
- Cruze through Santa Cruz Mountains
- Then follow Highway 1
And there you go! However, if you are someone from further away, you have two options – fly in or drive up.
For people who want to get to Capitola fast, San Jose International Airport is the closest airport to Capitola and the fastest way to get there. From the airport, it’s a quick drive to the south before hitting the coastal charm. But sometimes, the longest travel can overshadow the shorter ones.
Driving to Capitola is an example of that. If you are into long drives like me, a fun drive of some hours will definitely be worth the trip. For someone driving from Los Angeles, it’ll be like a six-hour drive up the coast on Highway 101. But no matter where you start from, the view of the coastal drive is insanely refreshing.
Top 7 Destinations of Capitola
Capitola Beach
Let’s start with the obvious – Capitola Beach. If you have only one option and you ask me what to do in Capitola, this one is the straightforward answer. You come to a seaside village and don’t wet your feet on the sandy main big beach of Capitola – not an option!
Capitola Wharf
Are you a fishing enthusiast like me? Then you are gonna like this spot. The Wharf has a laid-back vibe to it. You can grab a fishing pole, take a stroll, or just sit back and watch the raw ocean view. The sunset from Capitola Wharf is not something you wanna miss. You’ll have regrets for life. You don’t want that, do you?
New Brighton State Beach
Now this beach is more for peace-loving or introverted people. It offers a more tranquil beach setting just down the coast – less crowded, perfect for romantic or solo walks or picnics with friends or family.
Shadowbrook Restaurant
This is not just a regular restaurant. Shadowbrook is the most popular dining experience everyone on Capitola gets. Just think about it – you can get a hill-vator to get to it. Ain’t that the coolest thing? Food? – delicious. Ambience? – amazing. It’s a perfect place for a date night or a special occasion.
Capitola Art and Wine Festival
If you happen to visit Capitola in September, don’t miss out on the art and wine festival. It’s like a party where everybody in Capitola gets it on. This festival will make you feel alive again with live music, dancing, fine wine, and local arts and culture. It’s not an experience you should miss.
Gayle’s Bakery
Here’s to my favorite spot in Capitola that you shouldn’t come to – not if you wanna have a complete experience. Locals swear by it and once you try their pastries, sandwiches, or coffee, you’ll understand why. Don’t leave Capitola without a stop at Gayle’s bakery.
Capitola Village
The village looks like something from a movie scene. Walking through the vibrant little houses sets you in a happy mood. This place is too romantic not to take your partner with you. This colorful village is packed with boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Stroll around, do some shopping maybe, and if you are a lil tired of all the walking, sit back and grab a coffee. Capitola village is a perfect spot to spend your afternoon when the beach is just some steps away.
Things to Do in Capitola
Play beach volleyball in Capitola Beach
Call it the heart of the town. You can sunbathe, build a sand castle, play volleyball, drip your feet wet on the Pacific, or just lay back under the umbrella and stare into the beautiful blue infinity. The options are wide. I personally recommend taking some extra covering clothes to stay back after the unreal view of the sunset. The night ocean breeze will take all your pressures away.
Fishing
If you like fishing, go to Capitola Wharf and sit back with the fishing rod bought from Capitola Village. And then after the sun sets, you can rent BBQ grills to enjoy your freshly caught fish.
That’s very healing – only a fishing fanatic would know about the feeling. It’s okay if you are not into fishing though. You still can enjoy Barbequed seafood freshly grilled on the beach and at Capitola restaurants.
Visit the Capitola Historical Museum
This is not for everyone I know. But if you are someone who likes to know more about what happened to the place you are now walking, just letting you know that this small town also has a historical museum.
It’s pretty small but has a lot of things to give you a sense of how Capitola evolved into today’s beach town in the 19th century. So visiting this museum would be one of the most unique things to do in Capitola.
Go on a Hike
Capitola has hill tracks beside the New Brighton State Beach. You can go on a hike if you like. The beautiful ocean view is a bonus. The hiking trail offers a magnificent panoramic coastline view. It’s no doubt one of the fun Capitola things to do.
Go Kayaking
Highly recommended! Capitola is known to be a beach town of calm water. So you might not see too much surfing going on but it’s a heaven for kayaking lovers. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and get on the water. This place is pretty safe for ocean kayaking and one of the most fun things to do Capitola.
Explore Capitola village
The colorful little village is full of boutiques, cafes, shops, and restaurants. Walk along these cute little vibrant houses, take photos and videos, do a lil shopping like their handmade jewellery, grab a coffee, and explore the beauty of every corner of Capitola village.
Sip Wine at a Waterfront Cafe
Capitola’s food scene is not very big but my gosh! Their wine is mighty. Sipping on local wine while watching the Pacific wave hits differently. So cheers to a day well spent in the beautiful beach town of Capitola.
Take a Day Trip to Santa Cruz
Though it’s not a part of Capitola but usually this is one of the most popular Capitola things to do by tourists – and why not! Santa Cruz is literally just a hop, skip, and jump away from Capitola.
Explore the redwoods, the famous Broadwalk, Surf if you can, and try their cuisines. While you are already on Capitola, make a day of Santa Cruz if you have time. That would be a perfect way to round out your coastal adventure.
Best Time to Visit Capitola
Well, that depends on what you prefer doing on Capitola. So I’m not going to give you a specific time that I personally prefer, but let you know a bunch of things you can do in a specific season. Choose what goes for you.
Spring (March to May)
The weather is mild in this season. Not a lot of the crowd, mostly introverted people come in this time. The atmosphere is extra colorful because of all the flowers blooming, the breeze smells nice and fresh.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is the peak season for any coastal town. The sun is straight up the head, the temperature is high, and people come to cool off in the ocean water. There’s a lot of crowd, some playing volleyball, some sunbathing, some playing on water – everything is like a festival.
Fall (September to November)
Now this season is a sweet spot. Early fall is still warm but the summer crowd thinned out. The fall specialty in Capitola is the Art and Wine Festival. It’s like a party where all the townspeople get on. A lot of rich wine, live music, dance, food, and local art – if you are an artistic person, Fall might be perfect to visit Capitola.
Winter (December to February)
Chillist season on Capitola. Still warmer than other parts of the country. If you are pissed off with the icy winter in your house, you can go to Capitola for a warmer peaceful vacation to clear up your mind.
Tips for Travellers
- Parking can be tricky, so arrive early wherever you go if you rent a vehicle or just travel on public transportation.
- Mornings and evenings can give you a lil chilly, so bring extra warm clothes with you to enjoy the sunrise or sunset.
- It’s a small beach village, so local shops may not accept cards. Bring cash with you.
- Check festival times before coming. The town gets very busy these times.
- Capitola is walkable. So you can sightsee the scenic beauty by walking along the town – cars are overrated here.
- Must visit Santa Cruz for a day trip. It’s very near the Capital.
Final Thoughts
Capitola is a beautiful and vibrant seaside village experience for not just new tourists, there’s always something new to experience for seasoned travelers as well. The charm of Capitola will make everything feel like they are discovering it for the first time.
I added all the fun and unique things to do in Capitola, so why wait? Free your schedule, grab your fam, and head out to have one of the most memorable times of your life in Capitola. Don’t forget the colorful flip-flops!
