Sightseeing
Capitola is a popular tourist town because of its trendy shops and restaurants on the shore directly connecting to a fishing wharf and its large, sandy beach (2.1 miles).
151 locals recommend
Capitola
Capitola is a popular tourist town because of its trendy shops and restaurants on the shore directly connecting to a fishing wharf and its large, sandy beach (2.1 miles).
Perched on the edge of a world-famous coastline, the renowned Aquarium is your window to the wonders of the ocean. It’s located on historic Cannery Row in Monterey and is open daily (50mn drive).
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowPerched on the edge of a world-famous coastline, the renowned Aquarium is your window to the wonders of the ocean. It’s located on historic Cannery Row in Monterey and is open daily (50mn drive).
The park offers rugged semi-wilderness, rising from sea level to steep coastal mountains of more than 2,600 feet (18 minute drive).
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadThe park offers rugged semi-wilderness, rising from sea level to steep coastal mountains of more than 2,600 feet (18 minute drive).
Features 15 miles of hiking and riding trails through a variety of forested areas including redwoods, mixed evergreens, riparian, ponderosa pine, as well as rare ancient marine deposits.
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdFeatures 15 miles of hiking and riding trails through a variety of forested areas including redwoods, mixed evergreens, riparian, ponderosa pine, as well as rare ancient marine deposits.
Two miles of wheelchair accessable "mixed use bicycle path" along the scenic Santa Cruz Coast. Path covers visual and physical access to: Surfing, cycling, skating, walking, tide pools, beach, etc.
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveTwo miles of wheelchair accessable "mixed use bicycle path" along the scenic Santa Cruz Coast. Path covers visual and physical access to: Surfing, cycling, skating, walking, tide pools, beach, etc.
"Lots of interesting bells / temples / prayer wheels."
"Serene hiking in the redwoods."
"It's a place of peace, compassion, and integration."
68 locals recommend
Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott Rd"Lots of interesting bells / temples / prayer wheels."
"Serene hiking in the redwoods."
"It's a place of peace, compassion, and integration."
Scenic coastal area features a variety of sea animals & wildlife, hiking, diving & a whaling museum.
309 locals recommend
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1Scenic coastal area features a variety of sea animals & wildlife, hiking, diving & a whaling museum.
Entertainment & Activities
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an oceanfront amusement park (15-20mn drive). Founded in 1907, it is California's oldest surviving amusement park. Free summer concerts on Friday nights.
744 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StThe Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an oceanfront amusement park (15-20mn drive). Founded in 1907, it is California's oldest surviving amusement park. Free summer concerts on Friday nights.
Arts & Culture
New home of the San Francisco 49ers, and site of Super Bowl 50 (50 minute drive).
398 locals recommend
Levi's Stadium
4900 Marie P DeBartolo WayNew home of the San Francisco 49ers, and site of Super Bowl 50 (50 minute drive).
SAP Center at San Jose is an indoor arena located in San Jose. Its primary tenant is the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, for which the arena has earned the name the "Shark Tank".
271 locals recommend
SAP Center
525 W Santa Clara StSAP Center at San Jose is an indoor arena located in San Jose. Its primary tenant is the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, for which the arena has earned the name the "Shark Tank".
Avaya Stadium is a soccer stadium in San Jose, California, and is the home of Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes.
58 locals recommend
Avaya Stadium
1123 Coleman AveAvaya Stadium is a soccer stadium in San Jose, California, and is the home of Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes.
Drinks & Nightlife
Family-owned brewery dedicated to producing handcrafted organic beer of consistent high quality. Tap offerings include English-style mild brown ale, a German-style pilsner, a pale ale, an amber, etc.
55 locals recommend
Discretion Brewing
2703 41st AveFamily-owned brewery dedicated to producing handcrafted organic beer of consistent high quality. Tap offerings include English-style mild brown ale, a German-style pilsner, a pale ale, an amber, etc.
“Best micro-brew in Santa Cruz”. Try the Verve Coffee Porter Stout.
28 locals recommend
Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
103 Kennedy Dr“Best micro-brew in Santa Cruz”. Try the Verve Coffee Porter Stout.
Plenty of TVs to watch sports and a full bar with friendly patrons...right on the beach (2.1 miles).
25 locals recommend
Britannia Arms Of Capitola
110 Monterey AvePlenty of TVs to watch sports and a full bar with friendly patrons...right on the beach (2.1 miles).
Poetic Cellars
5000 N Rodeo Gulch RdFood Scene
This is a very special restaurant you will not find anywhere else. The setting is set into the Capitola hillside overlooking a river surrounded by lush trees and mature mountainside growth. $$$
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdThis is a very special restaurant you will not find anywhere else. The setting is set into the Capitola hillside overlooking a river surrounded by lush trees and mature mountainside growth. $$$
From bacon & egg croissants, Poblano Breakfast Burritos to fresh Seasonal Fruit Salads, mornings are delicious. For lunch try GrilledTri-Tip sandwiches with crispy onions, & Caesar Pasta Chicken Salad
155 locals recommend
Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay AveFrom bacon & egg croissants, Poblano Breakfast Burritos to fresh Seasonal Fruit Salads, mornings are delicious. For lunch try GrilledTri-Tip sandwiches with crispy onions, & Caesar Pasta Chicken Salad
Beer 30
2504 S Main StNeighborhood taproom/beer garden. Best in region.
Sawasdee Thai Cuisine
5050 Soquel DrExcellent Thai food just down the road.
Elevated bar & eatery with a whimsical feel serving a New American menu of small plates & entrees.
24 locals recommend
Michael's on Main
2591 S Main StElevated bar & eatery with a whimsical feel serving a New American menu of small plates & entrees.
Occasional live music sets a festive tone at this American grill with bayside patio dining.
50 locals recommend
Paradise Beach Grille
215 EsplanadeOccasional live music sets a festive tone at this American grill with bayside patio dining.
Good traditional Mexican cuisine, decent margaritas, and a tequila bar. Comfortable atmosphere, a local's spot. Parking is easy.
7 locals recommend
Little Tampico
2605 S Main StGood traditional Mexican cuisine, decent margaritas, and a tequila bar. Comfortable atmosphere, a local's spot. Parking is easy.
Enduring counter-serve establishment providing burgers & other American classics in homey surrounds.
19 locals recommend
Carpo's Restaurant
2400 Porter StEnduring counter-serve establishment providing burgers & other American classics in homey surrounds.
Wonderful Thai experience and great food.
12 locals recommend
Star of Siam Thai Cuisine - Soquel Village
3005 Porter StWonderful Thai experience and great food.
Nicely done variety of Mexican cooking. Not heavy on the spices, but very favorable. Creative.
12 locals recommend
Tortilla Flats
4616 Soquel DrNicely done variety of Mexican cooking. Not heavy on the spices, but very favorable. Creative.
Roomy, casual hangout serving burgers, hot dogs, salads, shakes & a lengthy menu of craft beers.
57 locals recommend
burger. Aptos
7941 Soquel DrRoomy, casual hangout serving burgers, hot dogs, salads, shakes & a lengthy menu of craft beers.
Pizza chain that originated in Capitola Beach (best slice in town!)
140 locals recommend
Pizza My Heart
209 EsplanadePizza chain that originated in Capitola Beach (best slice in town!)
Essentials
AJ's Chevron Mart & Car Wash
5955 Soquel DrHigh quality market and grill
Coastal Living Magazine named the Aptos Farmers Market one of “The Coast’s Best Farmers Markets.”
Market customers appreciate the bountiful selection of top quality produce, meats, and flowers.
44 locals recommend
Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
6500 Soquel DrCoastal Living Magazine named the Aptos Farmers Market one of “The Coast’s Best Farmers Markets.”
Market customers appreciate the bountiful selection of top quality produce, meats, and flowers.
Nob Hill Foods
809 Bay AveClosest full-service grocery
Everything Else
Quik Stop
5505 Soquel DrClosest (and cheapest) gas station to our home
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport
1701 Airport BlvdOur closest large-scale airport.