15 Things To Do in Capitola, California
Capitola is a tiny, adorable seaside town with a town center, gorgeous beach, and incredible restaurants. It’s located on California’s central coast on Monterey Bay, just south of its more popular neighbor, Santa Cruz.
Despite its small size, there are still many things to do in Capitola!
What I love about Capitola is how walkable it is! Every time I’ve visited we park in one place and walk the rest of the day. It’s easy to hit everything on the list of things to do in Capitola in just one day trip, but spending a night or two is a great way to experience all of Capitola.
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Know Before You Go
Before we get into all the things to do in Capitola, these are a few things you should know before you visit!
Parking: The best spot to park is the large parking lot with plenty of spots behind Capitola City Hall (not in front of it). If you follow directions to 426 Capitola Ave, Capitola, CA 95010, it should take you to the correct one! There are limited spots available near the restaurants downtown.
Weather: Capitola does get cold and foggy throughout the year since it’s close to the ocean. It rarely gets really hot thanks to the ocean breeze! Wear layers, even in summer, since it cools down quickly once the sun goes down.
Beach Essentials: If you plan to hang out at the beach, some essentials to pack are a Turkish towel or picnic blanket, sunscreen, sun hat and sunglasses, and a water bottle.
Capitola Hotels
There are some lovely hotels in Capitola, all within walking distance of the beach! Below are the best hotels in Capitola, based on reviews and location.
There is also a map below to search for all accommodations in Capitola. If you cannot see the map, try turning off your ad blocker and refreshing the page.
Best Luxury: Inn at Depot Hill
Best Mid-range: Capitola Hotel
Best Budget: Capitola Beach Suites
Things To Do in Capitola
Shop in Capitola Village
Capitola Village is a small area of a couple of blocks right next to the beach. It has cute coastal shops, a candy shop, swimwear, clothing, and more!
It’s a nice area to walk around and pop into the various shops on a nice day.
A few of my favorite shops in Capitola Village:
Pueblo Viejo Imports: Gorgeous art and home/garden decor from Mexico.
Capitola Candy Company: A wide variety of different candies you can fill up in a bag and get charged by weight.
Lumen Gallery: High-end gifts, art, and home decor. They have the BEST stuff!
Ethos: This is a newer shop in the last few years! It’s a low-waste store with beauty, skincare, and cleaning supplies that are low or zero-waste products.
Eat Pizza on the Beach
The first-ever Pizza My Heart restaurant was opened right next to the beach in Capitola. It’s the best pizza I have ever had, with tons of unique toppings, including a fully vegan pizza (the Vegan Big Sur).
One of the best things to do in Capitola is to grab a slice of pizza and a t-shirt at the walk-up window and walk the few steps to the beach for a pizza beach picnic. Don’t forget to bring a Turkish towel or picnic blanket to sit on!
Watch Plein Air Painters
Capitola hosts a plein-air event each year in the fall, where dozens of painters set up throughout the town and beach to live-paint their surroundings.
It’s a fun thing to do in Capitola where you can walk around and watch the artists at work. They even have an outdoor gallery for people wanting to purchase artwork!
There’s live music and an opportunity for visitors to make some art themselves! It’s also completely free to visit.
If you want to participate in the plein air painting (and competition!), there is a $50 fee to enter.
Take Photos at the Red Telephone Booth
Next to Britannia Arms Of Capitola, a British pub and restaurant, there is a classic London red telephone booth! It’s a great photo op with a palm tree right in front of it — a funny juxtaposition of London and California icons together.
Check Out the Capitola Historical Museum
This tiny museum is in an adorable red building next to Capitola City Hall. The museum is run by the City of Capitola and educates about the history and culture of the town.
It’s one of the completely free things to do in Capitola, but donations are appreciated! It’s a great stop to learn some Capitola history, look at old photos, and some more unique exhibits like an old bedroom set up and outhouses.
Explore the River Walk Path
Tucked away from the main streets and shops is a narrow pathway along the river and river-front houses. It’s a short walk, but it gives you a glimpse of the lovely houses along the river (some of which you can rent!) and their sweet, small gardens.
It’s definitely one of the more unique things to do in Capitola! The path is not labeled, but you can easily find it by walking to Amida Winery and taking the pathway to the left of it. The pathway will pop you out into another adorable neighborhood.
As always with any neighborhood, remember some people live in these houses — be courteous and mindful. Don’t be loud and stay off private property.
Admire the Capitola Colorful Houses
Capitola is probably most recognizable by its collection of colorful houses right on the beach. The houses are known as Capitola Venetian Court Private Residences — there are a few available to rent as vacation houses!
These iconic Capitola colorful houses are so cool, that they made it on my list of Unique Things To Do in California.
If you hang out at Capitola Beach or eat at one of the restaurants on the beach, you’ll have a great view of these colorful houses. They make for some great photos or a cozy stay during your trip.
Capitola Venetian Court #1 (Purple and Aqua)
Capitola Venetian Court #3 (Yellow)
Capitola Venetian Court (Light Pink and Royal Blue)
Capitola Venetian Court #8 (Aqua and Royal Blue)
Capitola Venetian Court (Lime Green and Yellow)
Get Margaritas at Margaritaville
Margaritaville is a restaurant set on the beach with ocean views, Mexican food, and of course, margaritas. Get a table on the heated patio for the best views and sip a margarita as you watch the sunset!
Not to be confused with Jimmy Buffet’s restaurant chain of the same name, this Margaritaville has been in Capitola for over 30 years and is owned by a local, family-owned company.
Sip Coffee With Ocean Views at Mr. Toots
Another spot along the beach with incredible ocean views is Mr. Toots Coffeehouse! Grab a hot drink and baked goods or sandwich and enjoy it on the second-floor patio.
Listen to Live Music at the Esplanade Park Bandstand
One of the best free things to do in Capitola is go to a concert! In summer, Capitola hosts outdoor Twilight Concerts at Esplanade Park on Wednesday evenings.
Listen to live music, dance on the dance floor, have a picnic on the beach, or get dinner at one of the nearby restaurants!
It’s a small park, but just steps from the beach, restaurants, and bathrooms! No dogs or alcohol are allowed in the park.
Get Baked Goods at Gayle’s Bakery
No Capitola trip is complete without some delicious baked goods from Gayle’s Bakery! This is a popular spot and there is often a long line on weekends, but it’s worth it.
They have a huge selection of baked goods, as well as sandwiches, salads, and drinks. You can grab your baked goods as you leave Capitola for a treat on the drive home, or make it your first stop to start your trip off sweetly!
Ride the Cable Car at Shadowbrook
Shadowbrook is an upscale restaurant that is, quite possibly, one of the most romantic restaurants in the state. They’ve been running since 1947, offering a romantic setting surrounded by greenery.
While you should dine here for a fancy evening (business casual dress code required), just walking around the property is an activity in itself! They have a beautifully landscaped garden with stairs and ramps that lead down to the restaurant.
If you don’t want to take the stairs, there is a cable car you can hop in that will take you down to the restaurant. It’s a fun and unique thing to do in Capitola!
Take in the Views at Vista Point
Vista Point is around the corner and up the street from Margaritaville. It has parking spaces and offers the best views from above Capitola Village, the Capitola Wharf, and Capitola Beach.
Relax at Sage Float Spa
Treat yourself to a spa day at Sage Float Spa! Try their infrared sauna, experience their float tank, and get a nice massage. This is also a great activity to do with a partner for the ultimate romantic getaway.
They even offer discounted happy-hour prices for their float tank on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Check their website for exact happy hour days/times, as they do change.
Walk Down the Capitola Wharf [Currently Closed]
The wharf has been severely damaged in winter storms. It is currently in the process of being restored and expanded to weather future storms. The estimated reopening is summer 2024, though this may change.
When the wharf is open, it’s a wonderful place for a walk with stunning ocean views! There is also a restaurant at the end of the wharf, but unsure if the same one will reopen or if a new one will open in its place.
Capitola Boat & Bait is also on the wharf and provides rentals for kayaks, boogie boards, wet suits, and more, and it has a snack bar and gift shop!
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