Capitola Beach

Capitola Beach is a south-facing sandy beach along Monterey Bay featuring a large fishing pier and multicolored buildings on its shoreline. The area includes flat sand spaces where visitors can swim and sunbathe, along with a lively waterfront zone filled with restaurants and shops in the nearby colorful houses.

This place developed into a coastal destination in the late 1800s, drawing visitors from Santa Cruz and San Francisco for seaside stays. Over time, the settlement grew and the characteristic buildings that shape the beach today were constructed.

The beach draws crowds during summer who gather along the waterfront and admire the colorful houses lining the shore. The bright architecture shapes the character of the place and creates a lively, welcoming feeling by the water.

The beach is well accessible with parking along Esplanade street and offers restrooms, showers, and lifeguard coverage during peak season. Volleyball courts and other facilities allow visitors to enjoy different types of activities.

At extremely low tide, visitors can walk south to Capitola Bluffs where ancient whale fossils are embedded in the cliff face. This geological feature reveals the ancient nature of the coastline and makes this exploration a special experience.