Location: Capitola
Top Things to do in Capitola
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Capitola, United States
Capitola, just minutes south of Santa Cruz, is California’s oldest seaside resort town, and boasts a Mediterranean flavor. An esplanade winds around village shops and bistros, while picture-ready views from the Capitola Wharf create a relaxing atmosphere. Experience signature events like the Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Capitola Begonia Festival, wine tasting rooms, and shopping. Take a hillside “cable car” to dinner overlooking Soquel Creek, next to scenic gardens and waterfalls.
Restaurants in Capitola
1. Capitola Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 317 reviews
Artsy, secluded spot close by, but away from the crowds of Santa Cruz
Reviewed By jaseaton - Silver Spring, Maryland
In the past we've rented houses along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. This time we chose a place along East Cliff in Capitola, so we spent quite a bit of time walking the Cliff Drive and gazing out at the surfers along Capitola City Beach as well as watching people walking with their dogs, babies, and each other. It was a sensational afternoon and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The houses along the way were smaller than those in Santa Cruz, bit also more interesting.
2. West Cliff Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By M C - Newport News, Virginia
Walked a ways on this easy path above DT Santa Cruz on the West Cliffs. Road parallels path/trail...nice neighborhood. Walkers, runners and bikers. Striking ocean scenes, waves pounds rocks below. Since walk is in a rough semi circular view's are great of breaking waves.
3. New Brighton State Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By CLwriter - Santa Rosa, California
New Brighton is a little ways south of Santa Cruz - it offers camping, picnicking, and beach activities. It is very popular on weekends year-round, so there is a shuttle from the busy center of Capitola Village. I rarely swim in the water, but I love hiking along the beach and watching all the activity from birds and sometimes even a whale will surface offshore if you are lucky! If you want to camp, reserve ahead of time - the campground is quite small - it is well-sheltered from ocean winds and I recommend camping in the fall because that's when it is most likely to be dry and sunny.
4. Seacliff State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
Reviewed By Luv W
I drove down to the beach around 5 p.m. for a short walk. There's a nice walking path along the beach. The beach is pretty rough and not particularly inviting. Guess I'm spoiled by walking on West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz.
5. Bargetto Winery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 20 reviews
Established in 1933, BARGETTO WINERY is the oldest winery in Santa Cruz County and is currently owned and operated by third generation Bargetto family members. Visit our Historic Winery and Tasting Room in Soquel and enjoy wine tasting in our creek-side tasting room and courtyard. Taste 5 wines for $7 or a Reserve Tasting for $12. Visit our other tasting room in Monterey on Cannery Row.
Reviewed By swoodruf - Grand Rapids, Michigan
Visited this little winery after sampling some Merlot at a restaurant in Scotts Valley. When I found out the winery was just 15 minutes away, I decided I had to visit. Cute little building that is unobsrusive and quaint. There is a little store with a wine-tasting room in the bad. There are lots of tables outside in the back of the tasting room. You can choose from two levels - a $10 or $15 tasting. I learned a lot from the host. I ended up buying several bottles of merlot and also some mead. They make their mead from local honey, and given lots of ideas for how to use it. It was absolutely delicious and will be perfect warmed up during the holidays. I highly recommend this little winery if you are into that sort of thing!
6. Capitola Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By brocdog - Santa Cruz, California
Small and inviting, this place is packed with pics and artifacts from Capitola's past. Be sure to ask questions of the volunteer staff - they have a wealth of knowledge and are happy to share it. Definitely worth checking out!
7. Anna Jean Cummings Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By JeriLG - Santa Cruz, California
Great park for kids. Green lawn, long slides, creative swings and more add to it's charm. There is some shade but it gets warm. Nice place to wear off some energy! Not to mention the artsy blue oversized balls rolling down the hill.
8. University of California at Santa Cruz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
The Santa Cruz campus offers an attractive blend of notable architecture and panoramic views.
Reviewed By drdave822 - Buffalo, NY
UCSC offers a modern campus with buildings set far apart in a wooded hillside overlooking Monterey Bay. There also is an Ag School with lots of critters and a greehouse where you can plants and gifts. I recommend taking a tour to get the full experience. Catch theater, dance or music by talented students while on campus. Only downside: its is very hard to find a good cup of coffee on campus!
9. Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Cakes77 - Central Pennsylvania
The only this missing at this wonderful place was Beck playing on the radio.
Capitola could do no better than this.
What has been my experience is that when a microbrewery comes to town, then others start popping up into the same town. Capitola could do no better than this. These guys are a rock and what a splendid find this place was . On vacation here without a car, my wife and I hiked over here, ignoring the google maps directions, since we were on foot, and traveling in a straight line “as the bird flies”.
This had us cut through a trailer park and exiting through the main gate as we found Kennedy Drive.
As we entered the music was playing, the customers were chilling, 2 pups were floating in and out of the building, and the beer was brewing in the huge, oversized garage like brewery out back. The building is comfortable and inviting. The place is cool, but not pretentious. The staff is first class, genuinely friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. These beers are mature and refined. There are no “experimental” beers here. I enjoyed two of their wonderful porters. These guys are serious brewers. I think that the “Rustic Ales” is a fittingly god well earned name for them.
Take away….Bring some chips and pretzels- they do not serve food.
Also- dogs are allowed here.
10. Rio Del Mar State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By MikeJr209 - Oakdale, California
Nice beach located near Aptos that is pet friendly!!! There are a few little restaurants in walking distance and one small convenience store that stocks the barest essentials (beer, pop, potato chips, sometimes ice, some ice cream bars, and few other items), so you really want to make sure you take what you need with you. In the evening, there are usually a few bon fires going too. When we went, which was mid to late September, there were quite a few people there, but there was still plenty of elbow room on the beach and there is a lot of beach to walk with your furry friends. The only downside is there is extremely limited public parking, so be prepared to dump the family and park several blocks away.
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