Capitola: Beach, Art and History

Capitola brings together the beach, walks, art and local history as themes for your trip. Capitola Village borders a wide beach beside the mouth of Soquel Creek; the city is also home to New Brighton State Beach and the Capitola Wharf. If you’re looking for a hotel in Capitola, it helps to decide what you want to focus on during your stay: Would you like to spend time at the beach, enjoy getting around on foot, or include art and history in your plans?

Beach and Capitola Village

Capitola Village borders a wide beach beside the mouth of Soquel Creek. This location gives the neighborhood a clear connection to the beach and water. It’s a practical consideration for a trip centered on spending time at the beach. Trails, a walk along the wharf, and art and local history offer other options to consider as you plan your trip.

The Capitola Wharf: History and Evening Atmosphere

At the time the photograph was taken in 1884, the Capitola Wharf was 1,200 feet long. This measurement places the wharf in a specific historical moment. Visitors can stroll along the wharf and watch the sunset. This gives you a specific point of reference for planning your day: the sunset ties the walk to the later part of the day.

Trails at New Brighton State Beach

New Brighton State Beach is located in the city of Capitola and offers trails. To get there, take the New Brighton/Park Avenue exit from Highway One. The contrast with the wharf can help you decide: trails are the main focus at the state beach, while a stroll and the sunset come together on the wharf.

Explore art and history on foot

The Capitola Walking Tour is a free, self-guided tour of public art and historic sites via an iPhone app. Check whether the app is available before your visit. Walking group tours of Capitola Village and its surroundings can be arranged for a suggested donation of $50. Before planning a group tour, check on current arrangements and donation details. The choice of tour format is therefore mainly between a self-guided tour via the app and a group tour.

Fall Festival and Museum

Every fall, Capitola Village hosts the Capitola Art & Wine Festival. The festival features wines from wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains and showcases more than 100 visual artists. If you’d like to include the festival in your trip, check the event dates for your preferred travel period.

The Capitola Historical Museum features rotating exhibits about the history of Capitola and its surroundings. On display are artifacts, historic photographs and keepsakes from the region’s past. Since exhibits change, it’s worth checking the current program before your visit. The museum focuses on local history through exhibits and photographs; the festival puts visual art and wine in the spotlight.

Discover more destinations: Felton, Freedom, Boulder Creek, Interlaken, Ben Lomond, Rio del Mar, Aptos, Watsonville

For the broader travel overview: Santa Cruz.