Things to Do in and Around Capitola

With its iconic, colorful buildings lining the waterfront, Capitola is well-known to be a charming beach town, and is located just east of the city of Santa Cruz. It has a population of about 10,000 people (as of 2022) and is part of the Santa Cruz-Watsonville statistical area.

Though small in size and primarily considered a tourist stop for Santa Cruz visitors, this beautiful community has a lot to offer its residents. Homes for sale in Capitola are located near a variety of attractions and amenities, not limited to the beach and fine dining restaurants. Discover some of the highlights of Capitola, California below.

The Capitola Wharf & Capitola State Beach

Perhaps the most recognizable landmark of the area, Capitola State Beach is positioned on Soquel Cove. It is home to the iconic, rainbow-colored businesses and residences that overlook the waterfront, which are quite unique to the area.

Here, visitors can walk up along Stockton Avenue, where most of the retail and dining locations are, or cross the bridge for more options and for exceptional views of the wharf. The Historic Venetian Court belongs, in part, to the hotel and to the private properties, so photos of the buildings are best taken from the beach side. 

The Capitola Wharf is another landmark in the vicinity. In warmer months, the area is full of beachgoers and those who wish to take advantage of the wharf’s fishing spots. Currently—as of May 2024—the wharf is closed to the public for repair, as it was damaged by storms. 

However, the town has plans to open the wharf again in the summer of this year, with new amenities and public art. In the future, Capitola is also considering expanding the area, with boat rentals and programs currently in deliberation. 

New Brighton State Beach

Capitola’s other main attraction, New Brighton State Park and Beach is beloved by visitors for its beautiful scenic views and outdoor recreation. The park has a large campground, with around a hundred sites for tents and RVs, but is most famous for its sandy beach and its bluffs.

New Brighton State Beach is dog-friendly (with some restrictions), which is another reason why this destination is so popular. The beach attracts swimmers (weather permitting), fishers, and paddle-boarders—though surfers tend to seek greater waves and thrills elsewhere. 

The Capitola Bluffs

Between Capitola State Beach and New Brighton State Beach are the Capitola Bluffs. While there are no official hiking or biking trails in this part of Captiola, these gorgeous landscapes can be viewed from a boat—motorized or otherwise.

Park Avenue offers some unobstructed views of the ocean when passing by via car,. As well, there there are some viewpoints with benches, just off of the sidewalk, for pedestrians. 

Shopping and Dining

When it comes to shopping and dining in Capitola, there are a lot more options to choose from than one might think! There are a multitude of places to eat down by Capitola Beach, which features worldly cuisine such as Mexican and Thai, as well as American-style grills and seafood. One of the most renowned restaurants in Capitola is Shadowbrook, recognized for its cable car and exquisite dining experience.

Additionally, the Capitola Mall is one of the largest shopping centers in the region. Visitors can pick up the essentials at the various grocery and department stores, dine out with the family, and browse some of the smaller businesses located in between the large chain stores.

The mall itself is kid-friendly, with an indoor playground and a museum— The Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery. Though there is ample parking, there are also several bus routes that connect to other parts of Capitola (for example, the beach) as well as downtown Santa Cruz, for those seeking alternative transit.

Outside of Capitola

Residents of Capitola are just a short drive away from countless other amenities, including the boutiques of the downtown and the outdoor recreation opportunities in the region.

For surfers, Pleasure Point is one of the most popular places to catch some waves, and is only minutes away from the center of town. Steamer’s Lane, which is further west, is world-famous and a landmark for surfing in Santa Cruz County.

While camping can be done right in your backyard at New Brighton State Beach, The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park has 30 miles of hiking/walking trails through 10,000 acres of wilderness. Plus, there are even more opportunities further out for those interested in a day or overnight trip.

Discover all of these destinations and more with a home in Capitola, CA. Contact Lauren Spencer online or call 1.800.226.4717 for additional area information. Find your Santa Cruz County dream home today.