Day Trip to Capitola, California: 13 Charming Things to Do in This Small Beach Town

Looking for things to do on a day trip to Capitola? This itinerary will have you exploring the best charms of this beach town!

Capitola, California is a charming beach town located on the central coast of California. From its picturesque beaches to its unique shops and colorful buildings, this small town is a great place to discover all the fun things to do on a day trip to Capitola.

So if you want to chase stunning sunsets or explore places within a short drive from Monterey and Big Sur, Capitola is the place for you!

Here is how you can spend a marvelous day trip in Capitola!

🚙 For your reference, I highly recommend renting a car for your day trip to Capitola. Book your rental car with Discover Cars.

1. Grab Coffee at Verve

Start your morning by grabbing a cup of coffee at the iconic Verve Coffee Roasters on 41st street. With several locations, the cafe boasts some of the best brews in the area, and their delicious pastries are not to be missed, especially the chocolate croissant!

2. Explore 41st Avenue

While you’re here at Verve, take some time to explore 41st Avenue. There are fun shops and antique stores for treasure seekers! After some exploration, walk down to The Hook which is a great spot to take some amazing photos of the oceans and watch surfers catch waves.

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3. Do a Coastal Walk Along Opal Cliff Drive

Parking in Capitola can be scarce. In fact, we were lucky enough to park at a friend’s house and walk toward Capitola Village. I highly recommend making the walk from Verve to Capitola.

So with your coffee in hand, start your way north to the coastal path on Opal Cliff Drive. Here you can take a 20-minute leisurely stroll along the coastline and enjoy breathtaking views of the sparkling Pacific Ocean and feel the cool ocean breeze on your face.

On your way there, you’ll start seeing the colorful facades of the beachfront condos lining Capitola Beach.

🚙 I highly recommend renting a car for your day trip to Capitola. Book your rental car with Discover Cars.

4. Walk on the Capitola Wharf

Continue your stroll into Capitola Village and make sure to walk on the Capitola Wharf pier. This is the perfect spot to take a picture of those colorful Venetian beachfront condos. It’s also fun to watch people fishing and fishermen selling their catch of the day!

Note: Due to the storms in early January 2023, the pier has been destroyed. Capitola is doing what it can to repair the damages. Many of the restaurants lining Capitola Beach have also sustained damages from the storm.

5. Relax on Capitola Beach

After you’ve snapped some beautiful pictures, it’s time to relax and spend some time on Capitola Beach. Located right in the center of town, this beach is known for its soft sand, perfect for a picnic or just lounging around.

You can swim or surf on Capitola Beach. When you’re tired of lounging, you can start kite flying or play some games of volleyball on the sand.

Behind the beach, you’ll notice there are lines of restaurants as well. Zelda’s on the Beach is a great option for seafood and drinks with open-air dining to beach views. For a more casual meal, or a slice of pizza at the local California joint, Pizza My Heart!

6. Stroll through Capitola Village

After you’ve refueled, explore Capitola Village, a quaint area that offers plenty of unique shops selling everything from souvenirs and handmade jewelry to swimwear and local clothing.

You’ll also notice the colorful beachfront condos immediately! From bright pinks and purples to yellows and blue–they stand out. This area is known as Capitola Village so make sure to stroll around the area and snap some pictures of them for keepsakes.

If you’re hungering for a sweet treat, make a stop at Gayle’s Bakery which is a local favorite. With choices from cookies to pies and cakes, you’ll have difficulty choosing! My recommendation, get a slice of chocolate cake or marionberry pie.

7. Sit Down for Dinner

As your day trip in Capitola comes to a close, you’ll most likely be getting hungry–and there are plenty of options in Capitola!

For a romantic ambiance, get dinner at Shadowbrook, a restaurant that serves American fusion and has been around since 1947. One of the coolest parts of Shadowbrook is a cute, red cable car that transports guests up and down from the parking lot. For the best views, walk down the steps to explore the gardens before eating and use the cable car back up after eating.

Another great restaurant to check out is Caruso’s Tuscan Cuisine which is a family-owned Italian restaurant and has an excellent food selection, including wood-fired pizza! Start your meal off with the bruschetta, it’s one of my favorites!

🚙 Book your rental car to Capitola with Discover Cars.

8. Hike the 3 Miles of West Cliff Drive Coastal Trail

West Cliff Trail extends from Natural Bridges State Beach to Lighthouse Field State Beach, which is about .5 miles from Capitola Wharf. It’s a great trail for walking, running, and biking with a 3-mile stretch of ocean views. Plus, you can spot sea life like starfish, crabs, and anemones. If you visit in the winter from October-January, you might see the monarch butterflies!

9. Explore New Brighton Beach State Park

Head over to New Brighton Beach State Park where you can spend some time strolling along its rugged shoreline. At New Brighton Beach you can swim, fish, and spot wildlife. Camping is also allowed here, but be sure to reserve a spot ahead of time!

10. Visit Seacliff State Beach

About 10 minutes south of Capitola, you’ll find Seacliff State Beach. This beach is known for its long pier and is the perfect spot to watch the sunset! To get to the sandy beach below, walk down the wooden stairs.

At the end of the pier on Seacliff State Beach, you’ll notice a sunken ship named the SS Palo Alto. It was built for World War I, but was unused and is now a spot for fishing and enjoyment.

12. Walk on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Make sure to venture out to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, which is about a 15-minute drive from Capitola. With a variety of rides, games, shops, and more it’s the perfect spot for some family fun or even a romantic evening!

The iconic Giant Dipper roller coaster is definitely worth riding-it’s been in operation since 1924–and don’t forget about the mini golf course too!

🚙 I highly recommend renting a car with Discover Cars for driving in California. Check for best prices!

13. Ride the Steam Train at Roaring Camp

Just another 15-minute drive from Capitola is Roaring Camp which is known for its steam train rides. This fun, 75 minutes ride takes you through Bear Mountain and the redwood groves with stunning views of nature!

These steam trains have been around since the 1890s and are some of America’s oldest and authentically preserved locomotives!

Map of Day Trip to Capitola

Capitola is located right on the coast of Central California, about a 40-minute drive from San Jose and about 1 hour south of San Francisco. Follow CA-17 from San Jose or Highway 101 from San Francisco

The best airport to fly into would be San Jose International Airport, although you can fly into San Francisco as well.

🚙 When looking to book your rental car online, I highly recommend booking through Discover Cars which has some of the best prices for California!

Capitola is a highly walkable town. In fact, it might be hard to find parking. I recommend parking along Cliff Drive or even in the lots on 41st Avenue.

>> Check Best Prices for Car Rentals on Discover Cars! <<

There are so many great food options to choose from for your day trip to Capitola! Some of them are mentioned throughout this itinerary, but check out this list for a more comprehensive look!

• Verve Coffee
• Gayle’s Bakery
• Zelda’s on the Beach
• Pizza my Heart
• Shadowbrook
• Caruso’s Tuscan Cuisine
• Margaritaville
• My Thai Beach
• Boba Bay – Capitola

The most popular times to visit Capitola are summer and early fall, which is when the temperatures are highest. However, it’s best to come during an off-season weekend if you want more tranquility (and lower prices for accommodations!).

If you visit from December to February, you may see the Monarch butterflies that migrate here for the season!

No matter what time of year you come, you’re sure to have an unforgettable day trip in Capitola!

Capitola Beach Suites

If you do indeed choose to spend the night in Capitola, one of the best places is to stay near the beach with a terrace so you have a beautiful ocean view. Capitola Beach Suites is in the perfect location for a boutique-style stay. Be sure to choose a room with a balcony!

>> Check Best Prices for Capitola Beach Suites! <<

Capitola Ventian Hotel

You also have the opportunity to stay in the colorful beach condos right in Capitola Village! This Capitola Venetian Hotel is right on the beach with walking access to everything in town! Again, be sure to book a balcony view so you get those stunning ocean views!

>> Check Best Prices for Capitola Venetian Hotel! <<

Beach time, walking along coastal cliff sides, and exploring a charming small town–here are some things to consider packing on your day trip to Capitola!

👙 Pack yourself a swimsuit if you plan on swimming in Capitola Beach or the other various beaches along this stretch of Central California.

☀️ Be sure to pack sunscreen and a sun hat to keep your skin from burning up!

🧥 Keep warm with a sweater when the sun goes down in Capitola. It can get breezy here!

👟 These Tevas sandals are perfect for the beach or if you prefer Birkenstocks. You’ll also want to wear comfortable walking shoes for all the exploring you will do!

🚰 Keep hydrated while on the beach with a water bottle, especially when the sun is shining too hot!

Is Capitola worth visiting?

Yes, absolutely! This small and charming beach town is an amazing beach town with plenty of things to do for a day trip to Capitola! Get a taste of Europe through the unique Venetian beachfront buildings and spend the day on the beach!

Is a day trip to Capitola enough?

Yes, you can definitely experience Capitola in one day! It’s such a small town that you don’t necessarily need more than a day to see everything. If you are staying in Santa Cruz, San Jose, or the Monterey and Big Sur area then this is the perfect day trip!

How much is the parking in Capitola?

Parking in Capitola can be a bit tricky – the best bet is to park along Cliff Drive, which is $1 an hour. If you are lucky to find a good spot in Capitola Village, then there is a 3-hour limit and parking is $1.50 an hour.

🚙 When looking to book your rental car online, I highly recommend booking through Discover Cars which has some of the best prices for California!

Overall, a day trip to Capitola is a wonderful experience! The town is full of colorful buildings, stunning beach views, and plenty of activities to discover.

Whether you are looking for a romantic evening or just a fun day out with the family, Capitola is a great choice!

Check out more California coast posts!

• Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary: Plan the Perfect Road Trip
• 20 Incredible Things to do in Petaluma, CA
• 18+ Amazing Things to do in Cayucos, CA
• 17 Charming Things to do in Cambria, California
• 17 Best Coastal Sunset Spots in Central California

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