Capitola is the village we send almost every guest to first. It’s fifteen minutes north of La Selva Beach, small enough to cover on foot, and built right up against a sheltered little cove that feels nothing like the open coast at the house.
Start at the esplanade — the row of pastel beach cottages along the sand is one of the most photographed stretches on this part of the coast, and mid-morning is the best time to see it before the day-trippers arrive. From there it’s a short walk to the wharf, where you can rent a stand-up paddleboard or just watch the fishing boats come in.
The village itself is a few blocks of independent shops — surf gear, art galleries, a proper old-school five-and-dime — plus more good food than a town this size has any right to have. Save an evening for Shadowbrook, where a small cable car takes you down through the trees to a creekside garden dining room. It’s the dinner people ask us about most.
If you’re traveling with kids, the calm cove water at Capitola Beach is a nice contrast to Manresa’s open swell — shallower, warmer, and easier for smaller swimmers. Parking gets tight by midday in summer, so we usually suggest going early or taking the short drive and finding street parking a few blocks back.
It pairs naturally with a day at the house — beach in the morning, Capitola in the afternoon, back for sunset on the deck. Browse more of our local favorites or check availability to start planning your week.
