This Little-Known U.S. Beach Town Feels Like The Mediterranean

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Ever ‘wanna getaway’ like a Southwest commercial? We all have at one point, but time isn’t always on our side to make use of our passport.

Here at Travel Off Path, we love finding the ultimate loopholes that make you feel like you’re on another continent without the dreaded long-haul flight.

In California, many opt for the quirky village of Carmel-by-the-Sea to feel European vibes amongst its off-the-wall architecture, but another beach near Santa Cruz feels plucked from ‘the Med’.

Colorful beach cottages line the waterfront, where scenic Soquel Creek meets the ocean, for what’s become a bucket-list photo op for those in the know.

Like Carmel, it’s walkable, sunny, and an all-around lovely vacation spot to unwind no matter the season.

If you’re dreaming of Greece, Sicily, or any other blissful escape across the vast Mediterranean, this little-known slice of paradise is a great filler ’til you can swing the journey across the globe.

Welcome To Capitola: One Of America’s Most Charming Beach Towns

If you don’t know where to go, sometimes it’s best to skip household names in favor of the lesser-known.

Some of the best travel memories you can make aren’t copycatting Cancun itineraries — it’s okay to travel without a template.

In this case, Capitola makes for a great option to kick back along golden sand and California’s renowned Pacific backdrop.

Truth be told, the whole town does not exude the same European charm as it’s most famous postcard, when you book a beach vacation, you don’t have to see the sights from dawn ’til dusk.

You can lounge around all day and quite literally do nothing but soak in the salty air and surrounding scenery — plus, there are tons of resorts and even a Margaritaville to enjoy the views with a ‘frozen concoction’.

In Capitola, this sleepy town has become one that’s so easily navigable; being a seaside village, you can get around entirely on foot if you want.

The Esplanade is brimming with restaurants, cafes, and shops housed in kaleidoscopic buildings that visitors love visiting just as much as they love snapping pics.

As Santa Cruz is the most notable beach town in the area, Capitola is calmer, both in terms of surf and overall atmosphere, making it great for families or anyone looking to reset away from city noise.

The Pacific’s Oldest Resort Town Has Stood The Test Of Time

Beaches are sun-kissed, the Esplanade is delightful, and the townscape in general is an undeniable heartthrob.

Capitola bills itself as ‘the oldest resort on the Pacific Coast,’ dating back to 1883, when the town launched its first tourism campaign to lure summer beachgoers.

Before then, Capitola was better known as a campground for church gatherings than as a place to relax by the sea in way-overdressed swimwear during this period.

So much for that bronze tan we all desire…

Many of the town’s defining features remain exactly where the first vacationers first encountered them.

This includes the Venetian Court (the kaleidoscopic bungalows) and the Capitola Wharf’s small fishing pier, and the aforementioned Esplanade.

Best of all, you can stay at the Venetian Court, which comprises individually owned vacation rentals that can be booked here.

Is Capitola A Day Trip Or Main Stay?

The easy answer is that both are suitable.

Being just 6 miles from more popular Santa Cruz, you can zip in and out as you please, snag a photo and leave, or linger for a week to recharge your mental batteries.

Capitola is no one-trick pony. It’s both a beach destination and a place to immerse in small-town charm, not always easy to find on the saturated West Coast

That said, this side of NorCal is practically inviting you to beach-hop on an epic road trip with famous Highway 1 connecting numerous worthwhile stopping points, such as Monterey, Carmel, and Pacific Grove, among others.

Getting here is easy if you rent a car. You can fly into San Jose (SJC), just 35 minutes away, or Monterey (MRY), slightly further.

The weather is mild in the 60s through the rest of winter and picks up into the 70s come late spring through October.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.