This little-known American beach town feels like the Mediterranean

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Ever “want to escape” like a Southwest commercial? We have all done it, but time is not always on our side to use our passport.

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

In California, many choose the quirky village of Carmel-by-the-Sea to experience the European atmosphere among the special architecture, but another beach near Santa Cruz feels plucked from ‘the Mediterranean’.

Colorful beach huts line the waterfront, where the scenic Soquel Creek meets the ocean, for what has become a bucket list photo for those who know.

Like Carmel, it is walkable, sunny and a wonderful vacation spot to unwind, regardless of the season.

If you’re dreaming of Greece, Sicily or some other blissful escape across the vast Mediterranean, this little-known slice of paradise is a great addition until you can make 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 well-known names in favor of the lesser-known ones.

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

In this case Capitola makes for a great option for relaxing along golden sands and California’s famous Pacific backdrop.

To be honest, the entire city doesn’t exude the same European charm as the most famous postcard. If you book a beach vacation, you don’t have to see the sights from sunrise to sunset.

You can laze around all day and literally do nothing but enjoy the salty air and surrounding scenery – and it is tons of resorts and even a Margaritaville to enjoy the view with a ‘frozen brew’.

In Capitola, this sleepy town has become an easily navigable town; Because it is a seaside village, you can travel around entirely on foot if you wish.

The Esplanade is full of restaurants, cafes and shops, housed in kaleidoscopic buildings that visitors enjoy visiting as much as taking photos.

Since Santa Cruz is the most notable beach town in the area, Capitola is quieter, both in terms of surf and overall atmosphere, making it ideal for families or anyone looking to escape the city noise.

The oldest seaside resort in the Pacific Ocean has stood the test of time

The beaches are sun-drenched, the Esplanade is beautiful and the cityscape overall is an undeniable heartbreaker.

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 during this period as a campsite for church gatherings than as a place to relax by the sea in overdressed swimwear.

So much for that bronze color we all long for…

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

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

Best of all, you can stay at the Venetian Court, which consists of individually managed holiday homes booked here.

Is Capitola a day trip or a main residence?

The easy answer is that both are suitable.

Since it’s only 10 kilometers from popular Santa Cruz, you can hop on and off whenever you want, take a photo and go, or stick around for a week to recharge your mental batteries.

Capitola is not a one-trick pony. It’s both a beach destination and a place to immerse yourself in small-town charm, which isn’t always easy to find on the saturated West Coast

That said, this side of NorCal practically invites you on an epic beach road trip, with the famous Highway 1 connecting countless worthwhile stops like Monterey, Carmel, and Pacific Grove, among others.

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

The weather is mild in the 60s for the remainder of the winter and increases into the 70s from late spring through October.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.