11 Best Things to Do in Capitola, California To Explore With family

Hello travel lovers!

If you are planning a trip to California and end up in Capitola, then what to do, where to visit, and how to make out the most of that place is something where we will cover you.

About 70 miles south of here, San Francisco, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is the Monterey Bay city of Capitola. With a large selection of hip beachside shops, eateries, and visitor activities, the city is a well-liked tourist destination.

This is a comprehensive list of the best things to do in Capitola, so without wasting much time here, we gooo!!!


What is the best time to visit Capitola, California?

The best season of the year to visit Capitola in the United States. The best months of weather are August, September, and October when average temperatures range from 20 ° C. (68 ° Fahrenheit) to 25 ℃ (77 ° Centigrade).


11 Best Things to Do in Capitola for Couples and Families

To assist you in organizing your vacation, here is a list of the best things to do in Capitola.

1. Capitola City Beach

Things to Do in Capitola
Image Credit: California beaches

Located along Monterey Bay’s northern end, this Capitola city beach is owned by the public.

You can spend great quality time with your family, engaging in outdoor activities, such as volleyball, surfing, and sunbathing. You can also try out the fishing which is permitted at It’s Capitola Wharf pier.

The beach also offers historic buildings such as the Venetian Hotel as well as restaurants and shops on the Esplanade. This will prove a great fun day with your loved ones.


2. Capitola Historical Museum

Things to Do in Capitola
Image Credit: Tripadvisor

Opened on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the afternoon hours, you will find this place located adjacent to Capitola City Hall.

Showcasing the social and cultural history of the Capitola and Santa Cruz County regions. You will see extensive artefacts and photographic permanent collections, which are a great attraction.

Rotating special exhibits are also hosted once a year that cover topics related to the area’s art, economy, and social history. It is also one of the best things to do in Capitola.

Also Read: 11 Best Bars And Clubs In Tallahassee


3. Sante Adairius Rustic Ales

Things to Do in Capitola
Image Credit: Tripadvisor

This is an invitation-only member’s club, where SARA’s Cellar offers access to additional exclusive brews.

Such popular brews are Love’s Armor American Wild Ale, Maiden Fields Berliner Weisse, Saison Bernice, and many more, which are tapped year-round. Owned by Tim Clifford and Adair Paterno, where they focus on quality and authenticity in crafting old-world ale styles.

Along with its old Capitola brewery, which is open for tours and tastings Tuesday through Sunday, the brewery has a new tasting room facility that is accessible to the public seven days a week.


4. Armida Winery, Capitola, CA

Things to Do in Capitola
Image Credit: Tripadvisor

Known for its unique PoiZin zinfandel varietal, popularly nicknamed “a wine to die for.”

Located throughout the Santa Cruz County region, including locations in Capitola and Healdsburg, being operated by three Capitola couples offering two tap rooms.

Release party Fridays, barrel tasting weekends, and wine club pickup parties are just a few of the public special events held in the taproom.

Producing and sourcing wines in a great variety of popular styles, every day of the week, Capitola Tap Room is open to the public and offers tastings in a setting with views of the lovely Russian River and Dry Creek Valleys.

Also Read: 11 Best Hotels With Pools In Boston


5. Capitola Mall

Things to Do in Capitola
Image Credit: Tripadvisor

Opened in 1977, expanded in 1988, and is managed by Merlone Geier Partners. Being the only indoor shopping centre, this mall is home to more than 80 unique stores and restaurants.

Now, you will find major shopping departments from Victoria’s Secret to Macy’s, and Kohl’s. Eating outlets include Chili’s, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Subway, and Starbucks.

The mall regularly hosts special occasions, such as kid-friendly days, art walks, and book sales that support local charities.


6. Shadowbrook

Things to Do in Capitola
Image Credit: Tripadvisor

A romantic dining restaurant within a restored 1920s-era summer home log cabin. It was opened in 1947 and at present is owned by Ted Burke and Bob Munsey.

One of the unique restaurants, that offers indoor, outdoor, and rooftop dining experiences in unique spaces such as a restored cable car.

The menu is of a wide range from Thai-style game hen, and artisan pizzas to honey-glazed pork chops as well as drink menus are available.


7. Phoebe’s Fine Jewelry and Art Glass

Things to Do in Capitola
Image Credit: Tripadvisor

Being founded in 1996, this gallery is a prominent one that you will find in Capitola.

Becoming one of the most talked-about galleries in the area, Phoebe is home to a wide range of artists and artistic styles. Artistry from Local Artists
includes Paintings, Jewelry as well as Glass Art.

You can spend your day gazing at and appreciating the beautiful work of the artists. If you want, you can also attend the upcoming events and new exhibits by keeping a regular update.

Also Read: 11 Best Hotels With Pool In Orlando


8. Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery

Things to Do in Capitola
Image Credit: Tripadvisor

If visiting the Capitola Mall, this museum will be found inside and is loved for fun and early education.

This place offers endless learning as well as inculcating curiosity in the children as well as people of all ages. Getting to know about the world, while having a tonne of fun and developing their motor skills through interactive play.

In addition to allowing kids and their families to come to play from Wednesday to Saturday, MOD also hosts special play dates and birthday celebrations on Sundays.


9. Sage Float Spa

Things to Do in Capitola
Image Credit: Tripadvisor

Stressed? Tensed? Need to get away from all that? Just head towards the Sage Float Spa, where everything will be cast away.

You can float weightlessly in an extremely saturated Epsom salt solution in the float pods, which are dark, quiet, and conducive to complete relaxation.

This will be relaxed, de-stressed, and re-invigorated. To round up your day of pampering and relaxation, Sage Float Spa also offers a sauna and a massage menu.


10. Margaritaville, Capitola, CA

Things to Do in Capitola
Image Credit: Tripadvisor

Being an unaffiliated independent restaurant operated by Santa Cruz company Sunset Hospitality Group, this fine dining has been operating for more than 3 decades.

You will be able to explore Handcrafted margaritas and chicken mole enchiladas.

Offers a comprehensive menu of high-quality, scratch-made Mexican foods, with an emphasis on seafood delicacies such as Baja fish tacos and a raw oyster bar.

This also provides a dog-friendly patio area that offers seating right on the water.

Also Read: 11 Best Tourist Attractions In Miami


11. New Brighton State Beach

Things to Do in Capitola
Image Credit: Tripadvisor

A public beach, offering a variety of seasonal swimming, fishing, hiking, and camping activities. Seasonal events at the beach for kids include Junior Ranger activities and campfire storytelling occasions.

Visitors can take their time exploring the neighbouring Monterey pine and coastal live oak forests, and a bluff overlooking Monterey Bay offers breathtaking ocean vistas and possibilities for wildlife viewing.

A place that can be used to spend quality time with your loved ones for sure.


FAQs About Things to Do in Capitola

Is Capitola worth visiting?

California is known as the “golden state” due to its brilliant sunshine. Capitola often has great weather, which makes it an ideal city to tour on foot. This beautiful village offers stunning views of the ocean and the white sand beaches and is pleasant to the eye.

What is Capitola CA known for?

About 70 miles south of San Francisco, amid the Santa Cruz Mountains, is the Monterey Bay city of Capitola. It is most known for becoming the scene of a vicious attack in 1961 by domoic acid-poisoned shearwater birds that served as the basis for the classic Alfred Hitchcock movie The Birds.

Is Capitola safe?

Capitola has one of the highest crime rates in America when compared to all communities of all sizes, from the tiniest towns to the biggest metropolis, with a crime rate of 43 per 1,000 population. Here, there is a one in 23 risks of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime.

Where are the colourful houses in Santa Cruz?

I never knew Capitola Village existed until I just toured Santa Cruz and stumbled upon its vibrant homes. These Capitola Beach condominiums are almost on the sand and are all decorated in bright pastel shades.

What is Capitola Village?

One of the first resort towns on the Pacific Coast is Capitola Village by the Sea. More than two thousand years ago, Soquel Indians lived before the resort was constructed. The Soquel Creek’s mouth developed into a shipping hub called Soquel Landing after California’s statehood.


Tell Us In the Comments About One of Your Favorite things to do in Capitola, California?

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Avatar of Tushar Chaudhary

He has a diverse educational background with expertise in travel content creation and digital marketing. His self-motivated learning approach has made him a well-rounded professional in the field. Read More

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