Visiting Capitola and looking for a place to stay? Regardless if this is your first visit or your 300th, Capitola and its surrounding towns offer a plethora of options making finding Capitola accommodations an easy part of your trip planning.
Locals can find fun hidden gems for their next staycation while visitors from out of town can find the right blend of family friendly, upscale, and more to fit their trips’ needs.
From traditional chain/name-brand hotels and small boutique bed and breakfasts, to local weekly vacation rentals, Airbnb, VRBO’s and even campsites, you are sure to find the perfect accommodations for your trip.
Popular Accommodations
Capitola Venetian Hotel
Capitola Hotel
- In the Village, Walkable, Airy
The Inn at Depot Hill
- Historical, Walkable, Charming, Quaint
Monarch Cove Inn
- Lush, Coastal bluffs, Charming, Memorable
Best Western Plus
- Centrally located, Close to surf spots, Pool, Hot Tub
Quality Inn & Suites
- Economical, Off the freeway, Close to beach, Pool
Fairfield Inn & Suites
- Centrally located, Close to surf spots, Pool, Free breakfast
Where is Capitola Beach?
With how small Capitola is, it’s hard to miss Capitola beach. Then again one can drive from Santa Cruz to Capitola and not realize where one town ends and the other begins! Once you reach Capitola, just keep “heading down” as the Capitola Village and Capitola Beach can be found at the bottom of Capitola Ave. and Monterey Ave., with a “loop” passing through the Capitola Village. Cruise through, do a surf check; scope the crowds; then go find parking and begin the trek down!
How far is Capitola from Santa Cruz?
Driving along the highway (CA-1) Capitola is 6.3 miles from Santa Cruz, but if taking the side roads such as East Cliff, Portola, or Soquel, the distance can range from ~5 miles upwards to 7. While driving is easy to do, parking in Capitola can sometimes be problematic so expect to walk a little bit from where you find parking. During the summer, The City of Capitola offers a free beach shuttle that runs from the 12-hour parking spaces to beach, making life much easier especially when carrying a lot of beach gear. Stay tuned to your local news as the Coastal Rail Trail will eventually provide electric rail transport from Santa Cruz through Capitola and down to Watsonville, making beach days of the future even easier and more fun for the entire family.
Is Capitola safe?
Capitola is a small, quaint town spread over less just more than 1.5 square miles with its own police and fire stations located just inside the village.
According to Crimegrade.org, Capitola scores a B- as its crime rate is average compared to the rest of the US. However, compared to surrounding areas such as Santa Cruz, Aptos, and Soquel, the rate of crime in Capitola is lower.
The City of Capitola provides an interactive and updated map displaying all reported crimes, including proactive policing for outstanding warrants; offered through City Protect.
Overall, people in Capitola feel safe: 25% stating they feel very safe; 50% feeling pretty safe; and 25% feeling only somewhat safe; with 75% indicating that the police are very visible and very responsive.
What is Capitola Like?
Capitola is a small quaint beach town, where if you happened to grow up here, it feels like everyone just might know everyone. With just barely over 10,000 people it has a small town USA vibe, but can feel quite packed during the summer and during the Art & Wine Festival; Wharf to Wharf Race; and other events. With small shops; restaurants; coffee houses; clothing stores; convenience stores; and more, Capitola has everything you need for a day or week at the beach. With a fully operational wharf that also allows fishing off the pier, you can catch some fish or launch a boat and try your luck at sea. Capitola is sure to be a memorable stay that provides a small town feel in the middle of the Central Coast and greater Bay Area.
Is Capitola dog friendly?
Absolutely! Capitola has dog friendly sidewalks and paths, so long as your dog is on a leash. There are trash cans nearby providing easy access to dump those dog turds you lovingly carry for your fuzzy friend. Capitola Beach does not allow dogs, nor does the wharf, however there are several businesses in the Capitola Village that welcome your fuzzy friends and have treats ready for them. With the recent addition of a store for your pets, Capitola is a great adventure for your best friend to tag along with.
Is There Camping Near Capitola?
Just two miles from Capitola beach lies some premium camping at New Brighton State Park. Offering both campsites and RV hookups, New Brighton overlooks the Monterey Bay with amazing views from the bluff; just a few minutes walk from your campsite. Want s’mores? Campsites have fire rings to make a campfire, and fire rings located on New Brighton Beach are welcome for your use for evening bonfires.
Bringing your RV? New Brighton State Park provides electrical hookups only, but do have both water and dump stations on-site. The dump-site does charge a $10 fee, so plan accordingly. Camping is pretty popular at this location so be sure to plan ahead and reserve your spot well in advance.
What hotels have a pool or jacuzzi?
Capitola has no shortage of hotels, bed & breakfasts, motels, vacation rentals, Airbnb’s, and everything in-between. While the prices can vary significantly, there are a few guarantees: you often will pay more for a pool or Jacuzzi, and you will almost always pay more for an ocean view. Check the list below for a quick pool/jacuzzi/ocean view chart for the main hotels
| POOL | JACUZZI | OCEAN VIEW | WALK TO BEACH | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capitola Venetian | NO | NO | YES | YES |
| Capitola Hotel | NO | NO | NO | YES |
| Inn at Depot Hill | NO | NO | NO | YES |
| Monarch Cove Inn | NO | NO | YES | YES |
| Best Western Plus | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| Quality Inn & Suites | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| Fairfield Inn & Suites | YES | YES | NO | NO |
Capitola Vacation Rentals
If hotels aren’t your thing but you are still looking for places to stay in Capitola, you may want to look into vacation rentals. Capitola offers a number of short term vacation rentals offered by both vacation rental companies as well as individual owners through Airbnb and VRBO and other similar sites. Some of the local vacation rental companies have been around for 20+ years, so you can rest assured that your rental is clean and your stay is as wonderful as it can be.