73°
Sunny
0%
85
Santa Cruz County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Capitola Beach
201 Esplanade, Capitola, CA 95010
Picturesque half-moon beach fronting the colorful Venetian Court cottages in Capitola Village, one of the oldest seaside resorts on the Pacific Coast. Calm water from the wharf shelter.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 73°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 73. West southwest wind around 6 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 55. North northwest wind 1 to 6 mph.
Weather
- 73°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 5.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued june 3 at 8:32am pdt until june 4 at 3:00am pdt by nws san francisco ca
84 /100
great
83 Sunbathe
88 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.5 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued June 3 at 8:32AM PDT until June 4 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS San Francisco CA
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Northwest winds 10 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt expected. * WHERE...Monterey Bay. * WHEN...From 3 PM this afternoon to 3 AM PDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
73°F
Sunny
Wind
6 mph
WSW
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
74°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Wave Height
5.6 ft
16s · SW swell
Barometer
30.06 inHg
1018 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
64 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform
USGS · sampled 5mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:49 AM
Sunset
11:22 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 7:41 AM | Low | -0.6 ft |
| 3:09 PM | High | 3.5 ft |
| 6:27 PM | Low | 3.1 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
74°
Mostly Sunny
0%
85
76°
Mostly Sunny
0%
85
73°
Sunny
0%
84
72°
Sunny
0%
85
72°
Mostly Sunny
4%
85
74°
Mostly Sunny
6%
85
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Beach and Village Lots 1 & 2 at $1/hr; metered village spots at $2/hr.
Dogs
No dogs on Capitola Beach (strictly enforced); dog-friendly Hooper Beach is just west of the fishing pier.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
201 Esplanade, Capitola, CA 95010
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Capitola Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Capitola Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Capitola Beach dog-friendly?
No dogs on Capitola Beach (strictly enforced); dog-friendly Hooper Beach is just west of the fishing pier.
Is there an entry fee at Capitola Beach?
Entry to Capitola Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Capitola Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Capitola Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Capitola Beach?
Amenities at Capitola Beach include restrooms, showers, lifeguard tower.
When is the water warmest at Capitola Beach?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is Capitola Beach located?
Capitola Beach is in Santa Cruz County, CA, at 201 Esplanade, Capitola, CA 95010.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS