- Q: Where is Capitola located and what is it known for?
- A: Capitola is a Monterey Bay city located within the Santa Cruz Mountains, approximately 70 miles south of San Francisco. It is best known as the site of an aggressive 1961 attack from shearwater birds poisoned by domoic acid, which inspired the iconic Alfred Hitchcock film The Birds.
- Q: What is Capitola famous for as a tourist destination?
- A: As the West Coast's oldest beach resort, Capitola is a popular tourist area, offering a wide variety of trendy beachfront stores, restaurants, and visitor attractions.
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1. Capitola City Beach
Capitola City Beach is a publicly-owned beach located along Monterey Bay's northern end. The beach is a popular spot for a variety of urban outdoor activities, including volleyball, surfing, sunbathing, and bird watching. Fishing is permitted at its Capitola Wharf pier, located near Soquel Cove in a calm water area. Lifeguards are staffed on site during the summer months and other peak times, with restrooms and showers available for swimmer use. The beach provides direct access to the restaurants and shops of the Esplanade, as well as historic buildings such as the Venetian Hotel. During the summer months, a variety of public special events are hosted at the beach, including free family movies, art shows, and a twilight concert series.
San Jose Ave and Esplanade, Capitola, CA 95010
2. New Brighton State Beach
New Brighton State Beach is a public beach within Santa Cruz County, offering seasonal opportunities for swimming, fishing, hiking, and camping. Its main entrance point is the Pacific Migrations Visitor Center, which offers a gift store and exhibits on the history of the region's indigenous people and pioneer settlers from around the world. A nearby coastal live oak and Monterey pine forest allows visitors to explore nature at their leisure, and a bluff overlooking Monterey Bay provides spectacular ocean views and wildlife watching opportunities. A variety of youth programs are hosted at the beach seasonally, including Junior Ranger programs and campfire storytelling events.
1500 Park Ave, Capitola, CA 95010, Phone: 831-464-6329
3. The Capitola Historical Museum
The Capitola Historical Museum details the social and cultural history of the Capitola and Santa Cruz County regions, housed within a restored turn-of-the-century beach resort cottage. The museum is open Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the afternoon hours and is located adjacent to Capitola City Hall. Rotating special exhibits are hosted for a year at a time, covering topics related to the area's art, economy, and social history. Past exhibits have included photography and postcard retrospectives of the city, examinations of the area's tourism industry, and features on the area's famed public beaches. The museum also maintains extensive artifact and photography permanent collections, including a preserved early 20th-century wash house that serves as a living history museum exhibit.
410 Capitola Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010, Phone: 831-464-0322
4. Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
Sante Adairius Rustic Ales is the project of owners Tim Clifford and Adair Paterno, focusing on quality and authenticity in craft old world ale styles. The Santa Cruz County brewery offers a new tasting room facility that is open to the public seven days a week, along with its original Capitola brewery that is open for tours and tastings Tuesdays through Sundays. Popular brews such as the brewery’s Four Legs Good Blond Quad, Love’s Armor American Wild Ale, Maiden Fields Berliner Weisse, Saison Bernice, and Deaf Stewart Witbier are tapped year-round, while limited release brews highlight unique styles and collaborations with other regional breweries. An invitation-only member’s club, SARA’s Cellar, offers access to additional exclusive brews.
103 Kennedy Dr, Capitola, CA 95010, Phone: 831-462-1227
5. Capitola Mall
Capitola Mall is Santa Cruz County's only indoor shopping center, home to more than 80 unique stores and restaurants. The mall is managed by Merlone Geier Partners and was originally opened in 1977, expanded in 1988 to offer space for up to 100 retailers. Today, it is anchored by major department stores such as Target, Macy's, and Kohl's, along with specialty women's, men's, and children's retailers such as Victoria's Secret, Express, and the Children's Place. Restaurant options include national chains such as Chili's, Olive Garden, and Five Guys Burgers and Fries, with food court favorites such as Starbucks, Subway, and Sorabol also available. Special events are hosted at the mall monthly, including family fun days, art walks, and book sales benefitting regional charities.
1855 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010, Phone: 831-476-9616
6. Capitola Beach Company
Capitola Beach Company is a surf shop in Capitola Village that has been offering surf and stand-up paddleboarding lessons for individuals and groups since 2004. Private and semi-private lessons for surfers of all ability levels last approximately 90 minutes, with both beach and water training time included. Group lessons are also available, with all equipment provided for all lesson participants. A full-service surf store is also available, selling apparel and accessories from top brands such as Billabong, Quiksilver, TOMS, and Lucky Brand. Surfboard and paddleboard rentals are also available by the hour or day for patrons over the age of 18.
131 Monterey Ave, Capitola, California 95010, Phone: 831-462-5222
7. Shadowbrook Restaurant
Shadowbrook is an acclaimed romantic dining restaurant in Capitola that was originally opened in 1947 within a restored 1920s-era summer home log cabin. The restaurant is owned today by Ted Burke and Bob Munsey and is considered to be one of the American West's most unique restaurant experiences, offering indoor, outdoor, and rooftop dining experiences in unique spaces such as a restored cable car. It has been the recipient of a variety of national dining awards, including accolades from OpenTable, USA Today, and the Gourmet Diners Club of America. A full dinner menu of clever upscale American fare is served, including entrees such as hazelnut-crusted brook trout, Thai-style game hen, honey-glazed pork chops, and vegan options such as sunflower seed risotto. Appetizers, artisan pizzas, and gastropub fare is available at the restaurant's Rock Room, with full children's and drink menus also available.
1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola, CA 95010, Phone: 831-475-1511
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures and fewer crowds, perfect for strolling along the beach.
Capitola Hotel – A charming boutique hotel near the waterfront.
Walk along Capitola Village – Explore colorful shops, cafés, and ocean views.
Summer (June-August) – Warm and lively, ideal for beach days and festivals.
Inn at Depot Hill – A luxury bed & breakfast with a cozy atmosphere.
Relax at Capitola Beach – Enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and paddleboarding.
Fall (September-November) – Pleasant weather and fewer tourists, great for wine tasting and outdoor dining.
Monarch Cove Inn – A Victorian-style inn with stunning coastal views.
Explore the Santa Cruz Wine Trail – Visit local wineries for tastings with ocean views.
Winter (December-February) – Cool but peaceful, perfect for whale watching and holiday charm.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz-Capitola – A modern and comfortable stay.
Watch the monarch butterflies at Natural Bridges State Park – A unique winter migration sight.
Capitola, California Weather by Month
| Month | High (°F) | Low (°F) | Precip. (in) | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 55 | 40 | 3.5 | Mild & Rainy |
| February | 58 | 42 | 3.0 | Mild & Rainy |
| March | 60 | 45 | 3.0 | Mild & Rainy |
| April | 65 | 48 | 2.5 | Mild & Pleasant |
| May | 70 | 52 | 2.0 | Warm & Pleasant |
| June | 75 | 58 | 1.5 | Warm & Sunny |
| July | 78 | 62 | 0.5 | Warm & Sunny |
| August | 77 | 60 | 0.5 | Warm & Sunny |
| September | 72 | 55 | 1.0 | Warm & Pleasant |
| October | 65 | 48 | 2.0 | Mild & Rainy |
| November | 58 | 42 | 3.0 | Mild & Rainy |
| December | 55 | 40 | 3.5 | Mild & Rainy |
Capitola, California is 1.5 hours from San Francisco.
Plan Your Trip
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