Capitola

Take Santa Cruz Metro bus lines 66, 68 or 69 from Santa Cruz Metro Center towards Capitola Mall. The cost is 2 dollars.
If you're driving, Highway 1 and use 41st Avenue, Park Avenue or Bay Porter exits.

By bicycle, skateboard or bus. You could also call a taxi or an Uber.

• Capitola Historical Museum

  phone: +1 831 464-0322
  address: 410 Capitola Avenue
  Provides a physical history of Capitola with its collections of photographs and artifacts important to Capitola's history. It also features exhibits on the art or history of Capitola.

• Capitola City BeachLocated right in the Village, is a wonderful family beach - lots of clean sand and small but regular waves for anyone learning to surf.

• New Brighton BeachA scenic state beach located about two miles from Capitola Village. There is a campsite above the beach.

• The Ukulele Club of Santa CruzGathers to play at the gazebo beside the City Beach on Sundays from 10-11:30. Great fun and music in a glorious setting.

Events

Capitola hosts a number of year-round events, including Twilight Concerts, Art at the Beach, the Capitola Begonia Festival, Movies at the Beach, the Capitola Art and Wine Festival, and many more.

• Capitola Art & Wine FestivalAn admission-free event held in Capitola Village. It features music and food, as well as art and wine; many local wineries, artists, and restaurants participate. This has been a Capitola tradition since 1983. In a recent festival, 185 artists and 17 wineries participated.

• Capitola Begonia FestivalThis annual festival has taken place on Labor Day Weekend for over fifty years. Festivities include float making/float parade (the floats actually float—it's a nautical parade!), sand sculpture building, live music, film screenings, and art-related activities. The Pacific Begonia was hybridized in Capitola by the Brown family. A woman named Peggy Matthews noticed all of the begonia flowers going to waste on the Brown Bulb Ranch, and in 1951, was given permission to pick as many flowers as she liked. The Capitola Water Follies featured paddleboards covered in begonias this same year, and that is how the festival began. 1952 was the first official float-making year.

• Wharf to WharfThis six-mile race from the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf to the Capitola Wharf is known as "The best little roadrace in California." It began in 1973 and has gained popularity ever since. Cash prizes are doled out to the top three winners. The race is for all types of runners and is on a very scenic route. The race is limited to 15,000 runners.

Capitola Village offers a variety of shopping and dining options. The shopping area consists of a number of retail art galleries, jewelry stores, and cute boutiques that will satisfy even the most discerning shopper.

• Fog BankLocated right on the beach and offers casual, stick-to-your-ribs style meals. Serves breakfast through dinner. Blues bands entertain in the evenings.

• My Thai Beach

  phone: +1 831 464-3800
  address: 207 Esplanade
  Thai restaurant serving delicious food on the beach.

• Tortilla Flats

  phone: +1 831 476-1754
  address: 4616 Soquel Dr, Soquel
  Very good Mexican food, including moles, and margaritas. Weekly tapas special (Monday and Tuesday) and special events menus. $6-15.

• Shadowbrook Restaurant

  phone: +1 831-475-1511
  address: 1750 Wharf Rd
  Gorgeous setting overlooking Soquel Creek and reached by a "cable car" tram. Fine dining, Old-World charm.

• Paradise Beach Grille

  phone: +1 831 476-4900
  address: 215 Esplanade
  Overlooking the water in Capitola Village, offers great atmosphere and island fusion cuisine. Full bar.

• Zelda's on the Beach

  phone: +1 831 475-4900
  address: 203 Esplanade
  Located on the beach with spectacular views of the Monterey Bay and Capitola wharf. Thursdays are Lobster Night. Fridays are Prime Rib Night. Live Music every Friday and Saturday nights. Patio dining, bar, restaurant, full espresso bar. Free WiFi.

• Britannia Arms - Capitola Village

  phone: +1 831-464-2583
  address: 110 Monterey Ave

• Mr. Toots Coffeehouse

  phone: +1 831 475 3679
  address: 231 Esplanade #100
  Small coffee shop on the 2nd floor, upstairs from Margaritaville. Balcony in back with an ocean view. Has a good spicy chai.

• Best Western Plus Capitola By-the-Sea Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 831 477-0607
  address: 1435 41st Ave
  Award-winning hotel. Free high-speed internet and expanded continental breakfast. AMENITIES: 58 units pool fireplace suites free continental breakfast meeting space fitness center laundry whirlpool tub hot tub cable/satellite TV free Internet free Wi-Fi No Pets

• Capitola Hotel

  phone: +1 831-476-1278
  address: 210 Esplanade
  Clean comfortable upscale rooms & friendly, knowledgeable staff. AMENITIES: - 10 units - kitchenettes - free continental breakfast - cable/satellite TV - free Internet - free Wi-Fi - No Pets

• Quality Inn

  address: 720 Hill St

• Inn at Depot Hill

  phone: +1 831-462-3376
  address: 250 Monterey Ave
  A romantic retreat in a historic train depot. Guests enjoy a full breakfast, afternoon wine and hors d'oeuvres, free parking and wireless internet. AMENITIES: - 12 rooms - fireplace - free continental breakfast - whirlpool tub - hot tub - cable/satellite TV - free Wi-Fi private bath No Pets

• Capitola Venetian Hotel

  phone: +1 831-476-6471
  address: 1500 Wharf Rd
  The Capitola Venetian is an all-suite, boutique hotel on the beach. AMENITIES: 19 units fireplace full kitchens suites cable/satellite TV free Internet No Pets

• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz - Capitola

  phone: +1 831-427-2900
  address: 1255 41st Ave
  Elegant, new hotel. Free internet, breakfast, exercise room, pool/spa, bocce court, whirlpools, fireplaces. Conference room & lounge. AMENITIES: 84 rooms lounge pool fireplace suites free continental breakfast meeting space fitness center laundry whirlpool tub hot tub cable/satellite TV free Internet free Wi-Fi No Pets

• Santa Cruz - Located six miles west of Capitola, Santa Cruz is best known as a countercultural hub, with a fun bohemian feel and youthful vibe, and weekend tourist attractions like the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a historic mission, and the dubious Mystery Spot. The beaches north and south of Santa Cruz are considered some of the more pristine areas of natural beauty in central California, and while conditions generally make them impractical for swimming, several are considered an expert surfer's cold cold paradise.