Capitola Beach
add photosLocated in the Village of Capitola. California's oldest seaside resort is a charming, eclectic coastal town. The beach is enclosed between two bluffs, and reminds one of a Mediterranean resort. Capitola Beach is bordered by the Esplanade, lined with shops, galleries & dozens of restaurants.
5 Reviews for Capitola Beach
159
59
'10, '11, '12
1 family found this helpful
"Crowded but lovely"
I really like Capitola Beach! It is not the nicest town I have seen (granted I come from the Mediterranean border so I have seen my lot of cities by the beach) but it is very enjoyable and I am always happy to hang out there. We usually take an ice cream and go hang out at the beach. Window shopping is great and I always come back with cute little dresses for my daughters (too bad I can not remember the name of the store...)
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"Gentle waves, but small and crowded"
The view from Capitola beach is beautiful and the waves are pretty gentle, but it's a small beach and gets very crowded on warm days. There is a stand at the beach where you can rent boogie boards and surf boards. I would go for the view, but wouldn't make this the beach of choice to set up for the day.
1 family found this helpful
"Great, but crowded"
We love this beach but it's best to go mid-week or early in the morning to avoid the crowds. They have a parking lot close by (you need quarters) but it's still a trek if you have a lot to carry. There are cute beach shops, a few restaurants, a great pizzeria. We usually bring our picnic but head up the shops for some afternoon ice cream. They have showers and regular bathrooms which is nice too.
1 family found this helpful
"A Window Shopper's Paradise"
This beach is very nice, but gets very crowded in the summer when the Jr. Guards descend (trust me my kid was one of those monsters in red bathing suits). There is a fun beach side farmers market once a week.
My parents often found good breakfast deals at the restaurants along the beach. The stores are pricey but fascinating. My son loved to visit a shop that stocked real swords! This town has alot of character and would be worth a visit on the off season. Bring quarters to pay for parking.
2 families found this helpful
"An old family favorite.."
My grandmother discovered this town in the 70's when she moved from Hollywood to Palo Alto, and ever since it's been a haven for the Packard Clan. The Esplanade is ripe with quaint shops of arts and crafts that kids and parents enjoy. The beach is always family friendly, with surfing/boogie boarding a favorite pastime in the summer. Don't miss the elevator ride that goes up and down at the charming Shadowbrook, take a walk along the railroad, or visit the place where Pizza My Heart started.
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