Many of us dream of one day living in a beachside community, free to spend our days sunbathing, enjoying the water, and getting tanned. Capitola allows you to do exactly those things — and more!
Nestled along Monterey Bay, Capitola is a city in Santa Cruz, CA. Located approximately 38 miles south of Silicon Valley, it’s the perfect residential community for those who want to stay close to California’s tech hub.
Capitola grew from what was previously called Soquel Landing, named after a wharf that sat at the mouth of Soquel Creek. In 1869, the owner of a property located near the wharf developed it into a seaside resort. It later turned into Camp Capitola, which now has the distinction of being the oldest beach resort on the West Coast.
Attractions of Capitola, CA
Capitola has been named as one of the best beach towns in the US by Sunset magazine, which is why it has seen a consistent influx of tourists for over 150 years! It offers a plethora of water-based activities, such as fishing and boating. Also, it has one of the most popular surf breaks in the US.
And the view! The city is treated to a picturesque view of Monterey Bay adjacent to Soquel Creek and the beautiful sandy beach. Walk the shore to your heart’s content or bring the family for a weekend of fun. The beachgets particularly busy on weekends, with kayaks, paddleboards, and sailboats dotting its waters, and lots of beginner surfers happily riding the waves.
On top of that, the village is a bustling but intimate community that has a host of boutiques, galleries, and restaurants to entice vacationers and locals alike. It’s small — only about 1.6 square miles — but its shopping and dining districts can compete with the best of them. For instance, if you’re new in town, you can blend right in with the home crowd by heading down to the local boutique for your fix of beachwear: sandals and shirts and cover-ups. Other retail outlets offer nautical arts and crafts from hundreds of artisans, one-of-a-kind collectibles and gifts, and specialized outerwear like Hawaiian shirts.
Concerts and festivals are aplenty, too. Esplanade Park and the city’s beach are popular venues for music events throughout the summer. Labor Day weekend also features the Begonia Festival, where flower-draped floats parade down to the creek and the city holds a sand castle contest. What’s more, they’ve been doing it for over 50 years! During fall, the Village also hosts an Art & Wine Festival, which showcases more than 200 artists and about two dozen wineries in the area.
Dining in Capitola, CA
Feast on what’s fresh, such as lobsters and sushi. There is also a healthy balance between the city’s businesses and its locals – so much so that the city hasn’t changed a lot but has managed to keep up with modernization enough for businesses to deliver just what the locals seek.
Residents say this environment helps assure locals that they will never have to venture elsewhere. And if you decide to become a permanent resident yourself, you will no doubt feel the same way.
Homes for sale in Capitola, CA
If you’re looking to move here, Capitola’s neighborhoods will definitely charm you, as they are tucked in between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the ocean. Capitola beach homes for sale that offer views of the latter are in especially high demand
There are also condominiums aplenty, many of which have beachfront access. A lot of them have also been remodeled to suit current architectural trends. Popular areas include Depot Hill, the Jewel Box, Cliffwood Heights and the Upper Village.
As an advocate of sustainable living, Capitola has also instituted a Green Energy Incentive Program to encourage homeowners to switch to renewable energy sources. These include issuing free permits for those who would like to install rooftop solar photovoltaic systems as well as solar water heaters, and construct electric vehicle charging stations.
Want to take a look? Allow me, Amber Melenudo, to show you around. I hold prestigious designations, including a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation. I am also a certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist and Senior Real Estate Specialist.
My realty firm combines market expertise with personalized and hands-on support to help you make sense of all your Capitola CA real estate options and find the best fit for your needs and budget. Get in touch with me today to browse my listings. Or call 831.661.5591.
Sorry we are experiencing system issues. Please try again.