One of the most charming and colorful cities along Monterey Bay.
Bright Coastal Colors and Relaxed Vibe – Find Your Dream Homes for Sale in Capitola, California
With so many things to do in Capitola, one of the most charming and colorful cities along Monterey Bay, it’s no wonder homes for sale in Capitola, California, are in such high demand. Named one of the West Coast’s best beach towns, Capitola is a small and relaxed community probably best known for its beachside Venetian Court condos painted in candy pinks, blues, and yellows. (These historic units rarely hit the Capitola real estate market, by the way. And when they do…Whoa! A 1,850-square-foot condo overlooking the Capitola Wharf was listed a few years ago for $6.5 million.)
Capitola, located slightly south of Santa Cruz, emerged in the 1860s as another resort town for San Joseans living 35 miles east to escape the sweltering summer heat. Today, Capitola remains a tourist draw but also an eclectic, homey town of surfers, Silicon Valley commuters, families, and retirees. Small but convenient, Capitola is home to Santa Cruz County’s only indoor shopping mall, a Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Home Depot (just outside of town), and acclaimed dining choices.
If you don’t think Pizza My Heart makes the best slices on the West Coast, please keep it to yourself because these pies are a source of local pride. On the other side of the dining spectrum is the acclaimed Shadowbrook with old-world charm, seafood and steak, retro cocktails, views of Soquel Creek, and iconic cable car leading down to the entrance. More favs include Wharf House for waterfront brunch, Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria, Paradise Beach Grill, Caruso’s Tuscan Cuisine, East End Gastropub, and Marianne’s ice cream on Stockton Avenue.
Just when you think you’ve run out of things to do in Capitola, there’s another community event right around the corner – like the Wharf to Wharf run, the Capitola Art and Wine Festival, and the Capitola Beach Festival with its popular sand sculpture contest and nautical parade.
If you are searching for homes for sale in Capitola near wide stretches of beach, you don’t have to look hard. All neighborhoods are a few minutes from the ocean. The main Capitola Beach has picture-perfect views of Monterey Bay, the colorful Capitol Venetian Court condos, and the wharf. Neighboring Hooper Beach is popular with the pups (although dogs aren’t technically sanctioned here). Beautiful New Brighton State Beach, with its gentle waves good for new surfers, adjoins a 93-acre state park with campgrounds on bluffs overlooking the beach.
From easy to challenging, trails and paths in Capitola offer idyllic scenes of Monterey pines and the Monterey Bay. Work your glutes on the 86 steps of Depot Hill in Capitola Village at El Camino Medio and Monterey Avenue. There’s a trail at the top overlooking the village and ocean. We also love to walk/bike along the Pleasure Point cliff trail and watch the surfers below. The path starts just outside town at Opal Cliff and East Cliff drives. And don’t forget about New Brighton State Park’s stunning trails.
Tucked into a little neighborhood, Beer Thirty is a family-friendly beer garden with 30 rotating taps plus 300+ bottled brews. If you prefer grapes to hops, check out the wine club discounts and events associated with the Armida Winery Tasting Room.
By no means is this list complete – we could go on and on about all the things to do in Capitola! Want to learn more about the lifestyle or find homes for sale in Capitola, California? Please reach out anytime for a local’s perspective.
10,041 people live in Capitola, where the median age is 47.3 and the average individual income is $54,673. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Capitola has 4,656 households, with an average household size of 2.12. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Capitola do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 10,041 people call Capitola home. The population density is 6,297.52 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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