01
Best overall village beach
Capitola Beach
Capitola Village Waterfront • Lively Central Village Beach • Best All-Around Capitola Pick
Capitola's main beach sits right below the pastel village and wharf, with calm waves and every convenience steps from the sand.
If you want the classic Capitola experience, this is where you roll out your towel. The small, sheltered bay keeps surf manageable for swimmers and beginner surfers, and you can grab coffee, tacos, or ice cream without ever moving your car. Expect crowds and scarce parking on sunny weekends, but the tradeoff is an easy, social beach day with plenty to do before and after your time on the sand.
02
Best for camping on the coast
New Brighton State Beach
North Of Capitola Off Park Avenue • Wide State Park Beach With Bluffs And Campground • Best For Relaxed Beach Days And Camping
New Brighton offers a long stretch of sand backed by coastal bluffs and a popular campground, just a few minutes from Capitola Village.
Head to New Brighton when you want space to spread out and a quieter feel than the village beach. The broad shoreline is ideal for long walks, casual surf sessions, and letting kids dig and explore while you watch from a blanket above the tide line. Reserve a campsite on the bluff if you want to wake up to foggy bay views and a short stroll straight down to the water.
03
Best for long walks
Seacliff State Beach
Aptos – Seacliff Neighborhood • Long, Easy-Access State Beach • Best For Long Walks And Group Hangouts
Seacliff runs in a long, straight line along the bay, with level access, picnic areas, and plenty of room to roam.
This is the beach to choose if your ideal day involves a long flat walk with ocean views and steady surf in the background. The paved promenade and easy parking make it friendly for strollers and coolers, and there are picnic tables and fire rings for lingering into the evening when conditions allow. It feels more spread out than Capitola, so even busy days rarely feel packed if you are willing to walk a little downshore.
04
Best for sunsets and bonfires
Twin Lakes State Beach
Santa Cruz Harbor Area • Casual Harbor-Side Beach • Great For Sunsets And Beach Fires
Twin Lakes sits beside the Santa Cruz Harbor with a wide sandy pocket, mellow shorebreak, and classic sunset views over the lighthouse.
Just a short drive from Capitola, Twin Lakes combines a neighborhood vibe with a bit more energy thanks to the nearby harbor and cafés. The gently sloping sand and usually manageable waves make it comfortable for wading and playing near the shore, while more confident swimmers can venture a bit farther out. On select evenings, fire rings draw locals for low-key bonfires, making this a great choice if you want your beach day to slide right into golden hour.
05
Best low-key local spot
26th Avenue Beach
Santa Cruz Eastside Between Capitola And Pleasure Point • Low-Key Neighborhood Surf Beach • Good For A Quieter Local Vibe
Tucked below a residential bluff, 26th Avenue Beach offers a smaller, more local-feeling stretch of sand between Capitola and the Santa Cruz surf breaks.
Come here if you prefer a simple beach day with fewer crowds and no storefronts in sight. A wooden staircase drops you down from the bluff to the sand, where you'll usually find a mix of dog walkers, casual surfers, and locals catching a quick swim. Facilities are minimal and parking is tight on surrounding streets, so pack what you need and think of this as a mellow, bring-your-own-everything kind of spot.