A charming town with boutiques, eateries, a theatre and
an intimate sand beach where surfers find nice wave breaks close to shore
at Capitola Jetty, we think of Capitola as a smaller version of Laguna
Beach. These beaches probably have more differences than similarities but
what we like about this Central Coast spot and the Orange County beach
are the artsy flavor of the town in which each beach sits.
For over 100 years, Capitola has made tourists feel at
ease by keeping life simple and pleasing. Festivals celebrating begonias,
sand castles, wine and art are highlights for a town, located just around
the bend from the big city lights of Santa Cruz. The river, Soquel
Creek, the site of the annual Begonia Festival where flower laden floats
drift down the river, is held one weekend in September. Also held in September
along Capitola's Esplanade is Capitola Art & Wine Festival.
If you seek thrill rides and amusements, cruise north
a few miles but if you are looking for relaxation, 300 days of sunshine
and a friendly small town feel, park yourself next door in Capitola. Some
of the fun things to do include sitting at the benches along the beach
and watching waves and people, dining at one of the restaurants overlooking
the ocean and pier and shopping at the dozens of unique shops winding near
the water front.
How Capitola got its name - "Camp Capitola" likely
was named in 1874 after the heroine in a series of popular novels. The
land, which primarily served as a lumber port, was purchased from heirs
of the ranchos and the name acquired by Frederick Hihn, a German who sought
his fortune in the California Gold Rush. He bought the seaside village
and welcomed those who found the location appealing as a camping spot for
summer vacations.
Escaping the heat of inland California locations, the
newly laid rails of the Santa Cruz-Watsonville Railroad provided a mode
of transportation for thousands seeking relief. As word got out about the
scenic
spot, Hihn subdivided parcels of his village and sold summer vacation lots.
The yet-to-be gold mine of prime property stayed in the
family for a short time after Hihn died, but then was sold just as World
War I began. Henry Allen Rispin had shared a vision common to developers
all along the California coast. Changing the name from Capitola or "Camp
Capitola" as many knew it, he called it Capitola-by-the-Sea. Poor Rispin's
timing could not have been worse! He lost his shirt (went bankrupt) just
as the Great Depression of 1929 hit.
Finally when two world wars ended and America began focusing
on the homestead, Capitola got serious and incorporated in 1949.
Capitola Chamber of Commerce for events, relocation,
maps and information - capitolachamber.com
Capitola Museum provides an interesting and well documented
history of its favorite city. Web:
capitolamuseum.org 410 Capitola Avenue, Capitola,
CA 95010 Phone: 831-464-0322
Airports Distance Driving Time
San Jose International 35 miles 45 Minutes
San Francisco International 62 miles
90 Minutes
Oakland International 60 miles
90 Minutes
Monterey Peninsula Airport 43 miles
40 Minutes
Watsonville Municipal Airport 14 miles
20 Minutes
Highway Access Five State Highways:
1, 9, 17, 129 & 152 (Providing access to U.S. 101)
.
Parks and Parkland - 42,334 acres owned and maintained
by the State of California in coastal and mountain areas. County
provides an additional 850 acres of parkland, numerous city parks. Miles
of challenging trails for equestrian and mountain biking uses.
Beaches - 29 miles of coastline, free access to
all public beaches - Gateway to the Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary, world-class surf breaks. Additional Small Craft Harbor,
two municipal wharfs, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and five golf courses.
Opal Cliffs-Privates Beach >
Santa Cruz
