Ride a cable car to soak up views for days.
The small seaboard townsfolk of Capitola , which sits just west of Santa Cruz , is a town of many firsts for California . Capitola is California ’s erstwhile seaside resort town and it all start as a collapsible shelter camp in 1874 . The camp ’s popularity led to the development of the townspeople , include the now - iconic , pastel - color Venetian Court which became California ’s first condominium when the first unit was sold in 1925 . The Venetian Court was ramp up in the domain that was antecedently home to a sportfishing community of Italian immigrants , which bring to its Mediterranean vibes .
Much like the tourist in the late 19th 100 who travel to Capitola to escape the heat in San Jose , Capitola ’s meek weather makes it a popular summer destination . Capitola ’s been vote one of the best beach township in the country thanks to its arenaceous beach and walkable village of locally owned shop and eating house , but Capitola is more than its picturesque beachfront . The township and beach is split in two by Soquel Creek , named after autochthonous tribe that once lived along the urine . Soquel Creek provide a serene area for paddle and riverside strolls . Just a few block up the creek from the beach sits one of the most romantic restaurants in the country and one that takes a singular transportation method to get to : a red funicular .
Travel time
1.5 hours from San Francisco
If you do one thing: Ride the “hillavator” to a celebratory dinner at Shadowbrook
Shadowbrook Restaurantin Capitola has been on legion lean of the most romantic eating house in California and in the U.S. The restaurant is build onto a steep , forested hillside and ab initio started as a logarithm cabin built in the 1920s . Over time , the place was expanded and turn into a restaurant in 1947 .
Because of its location on the hillside , a red funicular — the so - called “ hillavator”—takes Guest down the hill to the restaurant ’s entranceway - sure , there are steps you may walk down alternatively , but where is the fun in that ? ( the steps are flanked by lush verdure , so it ’s actually a lovely base on balls ) . The labyrinthian restaurant is made up of multiple dining way , each with its own distinct reference , spread out on four levels . The bottom story of the restaurant ends right above Soquel Creek – before the hillavator was install , guest like Alfred Hitchcock would get through the eatery via a piss taxi along Soquel Creek .
With its story , put , and fame , Shadowbrook ’s solid food is better than it needs to be : call back Italian chophouse with pastas , steaks and seafood . There ’s plenty of parking across the street , but for those stay within a three - mile radius , the restaurant offers complimentary pickup in a vintage taxi . There is a walk - in measure , the Rock Room , which offers a more occasional menu for those who did n’t manage to snag a dinner party reservation .
Courtesy of Capitola Venetian Hotel
Fill your days:
Hit the beaches in Capitola
As California ’s old seaboard resort , the beach are sure one of the principal draw here . Capitola City Beach is the most pop beach for many reasons : the calm wafture make it family - friendly and great for paddleboarding , it ’s fence in by restaurant and shops , and the colorful Venetian Court home are visible from this beach . Those lucky enough might even espy whales from the beach .
Another noteworthy beach in the area isSeacliff State Beach , which is known for a concrete World War I freighter , theSS Palo Alto , run aground at the goal of the pier . While the ship is not approachable for safety reasons , you may still see it from the beach or the wharf .
Learn to surf or paddle board
Capitola Beach is a beginner - well-disposed beach that ’s everlasting for learn how to breakers . sit down in a protect recess , the waves at this beach are gentle and idealistic for beginners . The woman - ownedCapitola Surf & Paddleoffers breakers lessons for varying skill levels . Surfers who already have plenty of waves under their swath seek out Pleasure Point , a reef prisonbreak that is said to be one of the good longboarding breaks on the west coast .
Discover local events in Capitola
Even though Capitola is family to less than 10,000 people , it hosts various result throughout the year that keeps both local and travelers busy . The events range from a classic cable car show to an art and wine fete . In the summer there are a number of activities hold on the beach , including crepuscule concerts , movie nights , and Sunday Art at the Beach .
The water off Capitola Beach is tranquil enough to pick up how to paddle dining table , but Soquel Creek is an even more beginner - friendly spot with the lack of wave and wind . boat paddle up Soquel Creek to glide under a 1907 Union Pacific train trestle bridgework or catch a different angle of Shadowbrook restaurant from the brook .
Eat, drink, and sleep:
Restaurants and bars in Capitola
Start the twenty-four hours with breakfast atGayle ’s Bakery & Rosticceria , a 46 - year honest-to-god institution that offers more than a hundred different items each solar day , from pastries to pastas to patty . They suffice over 2000 client day by day , but the personal credit line goes efficiently .
For a break in the middle of a beach day , waterfront eating house line the esplanade and many of them volunteer great happy hour slew . You ’ll also find the only non - Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville in the state – Capitola’sMargaritavilleopened in 1984 , prior to the first porta of the restaurant chain . For dinner , guide toTrestlesfor a well - executed , seasonal menu .
Grab a dry pint atSante Adairius Rustic Ales , a brewery narrow down in miscellaneous agitation saisons and barrel - cured ales . Sante Adairius has been voted one of the top ten brewery in the world more than once , so even though the barroom is located in an industrial part of Capitola , the short trek away from the hamlet is well worth it .
Where to stay in Capitola
Capitola Venetian Hotelis one of the more democratic hotel in the area as the hotel ride right behind the colorful painted houses of the Capitola Venetian Court , and it ’s walking distance to the beach and Capitola Village ( the iconic colorful house themselves are in private - owned townhouses , though you ’ll discover some popping - up on Vrbo or Airbnb . )
New Brighton State Beachhas a beachfront camping site located on the bluff with easy accession to the beach and to Capitola Village . Those who hold early and give an extra fee can snag one of the nine campground that have beach sunset horizon .
Courtesy of Shadowbrook Restaurant
The “Hillavator” at Shadowbrook Restaurant.|Photo by Garrick Ramirez
A whale breaches in Capitola waters.|Photo by John Hunter
Sante Adairius Beer Garden|Courtesy Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
