Coastal Living Magazine named Capitola, California, one of the happiest seaside towns in America, and if you’ve ever visited, you would have a tough time telling them they’re wrong. Between the hippie spirit, the breathtaking natural beauty and the quirky residents, it’s everything you’d dream of finding in a quaint California town.
Besides being known for its overall livability, it’s chock full of weird California history. Alfred Hitchcock got his inspiration for The Birds from a horrific incident that took place in Capitola. On an early summer morning in 1961, residents were awakened at 3:00 a.m. by a “rain of birds slamming against their homes [and] … dead and stunned seabirds littering the streets and roads in the foggy, early dawn.” Another historical oddity: the oldest beach resort on the West Coast, the Grand Capitola Inn, featured a popular dance ritual that involved hiding women behind a white sheet. The Grand Capitola Inn was later burned down, possibly for insurance money.
Certainly, “happiest” and “weirdest” are not mutually exclusive. In fact, since Capitola is neighbors with the capital of weird, Santa Cruz, and is a gateway to the rest of the beloved Monterey Bay, weird is a badge that Capitola locals wear with pride and is precisely what makes this foggy beach town so charming.
Pleasure Point
The true Capitola experience begins at Pleasure Point, the famous surfing spot (and the place where the dead-bird incident occurred). The path that winds down Opal Cliffs gives you a perfect view of the surfers who are tough enough to brave the frigid water — not to mention the magnificent perspective the view gives you of the rest of Monterey Bay. After your walk, go grab a slice at Pleasure Pizza just a few blocks away. Try the Telecaster if you really wanna get wild.
The Penny Ice Creamery
If you’re craving something sweet, be sure to check out the Penny Ice Creamery for some truly delectable dessert. All their flavors are made from scratch using ingredients from local farms, and the flavors rotate seasonally. The unique flavor offerings are unlike anything you can find elsewhere; favorites include juniper lime, parsnip nutmeg and strawberry peppercorn. Top it off with marshmallow fluff if you’re feeling extra decadent.
If you need a pick-me-up, pop into Verve Coffee Roasters next door for some of the hippest third-wave coffee around (their Bowl of Soul is worth the trip alone).
New Brighton State Beach
Just a short drive from downtown Capitola, New Brighton State Beach is a must-see getaway destination. Rugged bluffs nestle the coastline, where languid waves roll up to the shore and eucalyptus trees dance in the ocean breeze. This is arguably why the locals pay so much to live here. Beach camping is available in the spring and summer, or just come for an afternoon picnic and contemplate the insignificance of your own mortality as you marvel at some staggering natural beauty. Skip the $10 parking fee and park in the surrounding neighborhood. You can catch a trail down to the beach at the end of Coronado Street.
Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
Just a short bike ride from New Brighton beach, this cozy taproom is a hidden gem of Capitola with some of the best beer you will ever taste. Sante Adairius brews their beer in small batches on-site. Once you taste it, there will be no question why they’re up-and-coming in the West Coast craft-brew scene. Perch at a rustic barrel table and giggle at the beardy locals getting sloppy. If you’re a hophead, go with the Simpleton IPA, or for something a bit more decadent, try the Vanilla Joe, a porter brewed with Verve coffee and vanilla beans.
Kong’s Market
If you’re looking to eat like a local, look no further than Kong’s Market. Part convenience store and part fast-food joint, this tiny hole in the wall is probably the best-kept secret in town. It may not look like much from the outside, but the wisecracking owner will personally make you the best hamburger (or veggie burger, if you prefer) you’ve ever put in your mouth. If you’re just looking to snack, the eggrolls will also blow your mind. A word to the wise: anything ordered spicy will be truly spicy. Seating is sparse, but it’s less than a five-minute walk to the beach, so do it the local way and eat that delicious burger with your toes in the sand.
Shadowbrook Restaurant
If you want to impress a date with a fancy dinner, there is no better place to do that than at Shadowbrook Restaurant. In keeping with the theme of weird, you reach the dining room via an old-timey mini cable car that traverses a forested hill on a track. The ride only feels as if it might break down at any moment. Once you’re inside, the old-world charm will make you feel as if you’ve entered a new dimension. Their extensive gourmet offerings, from filet mignon to black-truffle gnocchi, along with a rotating seasonal menu of freshly caught fish will have you drooling. And, of course, there are vegetarian options as well (this is NorCal, after all). Choose your night wisely, and dine to live music for an experience so charming and whimsical that any date will be swept off their feet. Consider ending the night with a post-dinner walk around Capitola Village, the cutest tourist trap you’ve ever seen.
