---
title: "Capitola, Santa Cruz County — Neighborhood Guide"
description: "Colorful seaside village life"
url: https://giselesasso.com/neighborhoods/capitola
lastUpdated: 2026-03-23
dataAsOf: "March 2026"
sources: ["GreatSchools","Redfin","Google Maps"]
---

# Capitola

> Colorful seaside village life

Capitola feels like a postcard you get to live inside. Colorful seaside homes, oceanfront restaurants, sandy beaches, and streets you can actually walk. It's compact, charming, and full of personality. While Santa Cruz feels broader and Aptos feels more spacious, Capitola feels intimate. The beach, coffee, dinner, live music in the Village, all within reach. Small, but it makes a big impression.

## Vibe

California's oldest seaside resort town. Colorful Venetian-style buildings, a walkable village, and a beautiful beach. Small-town warmth with coastal charm.

## Highlights

- Historic Capitola Village
- Capitola Beach and Esplanade
- Walkable downtown shops and dining
- Annual Begonia Festival
- Close to both Santa Cruz and Aptos

## Market Stats

- **Median Price:** $1,350,000
- **Average Days on Market:** 22
- **Population:** 10,200
- **Median Household Income:** $98,000
- **Owner-Occupied:** 50%
- **ZIP Codes:** 95010
- **Coordinates:** 36.9752, -121.953

## Best For

families, retirees

## Schools

| School | Type | Grades | Rating | District |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary | Elementary | K-5 | 7/10 | Soquel Union |
| New Brighton Middle | Middle | 6-8 | 6/10 | Soquel Union |
| Soquel High | High | 9-12 | 9/10 | Soquel Union |
| Twin Lakes Christian School | Private | K-8 | — | Private |
| Tara Redwood School | Private | K-6 | — | Private |

## Peak Commute Times

- **Netflix HQ:** 42 min
- **Adobe HQ:** 48 min
- **Zoom HQ:** 48 min
- **PayPal HQ:** 50 min
- **Broadcom HQ:** 50 min
- **Cisco HQ:** 55 min
- **ServiceNow HQ:** 55 min
- **Samsung Semiconductor:** 55 min
- **Apple Park:** 58 min
- **Amazon Sunnyvale:** 58 min
- **LinkedIn HQ:** 58 min
- **Googleplex:** 1h 2m
- **Meta HQ:** 1h 8m
- **Salesforce Tower:** 1h 25m

## FAQs

**What makes Capitola Village unique?**

Capitola Village is California's oldest seaside resort, featuring iconic colorful Venetian-style buildings along the waterfront, a walkable downtown, and a charming small-town atmosphere while being minutes from Santa Cruz.

**Is Capitola a good place to live?**

Capitola offers an excellent quality of life with beach access, walkable amenities, a strong sense of community, and a central location between Santa Cruz and Aptos.