72°
Sunny
0%
75
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 · 72°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny. High near 72, with temperatures falling to around 70 in the afternoon. West southwest wind around 6 mph.
Tonight
Patchy fog after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. North northwest wind 1 to 6 mph.
Weather
- 72°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 62°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
- 4.9ft 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 july 22 at 8:53am pdt until july 23 at 9:00pm pdt by nws san francisco ca
48 /100
ok
15 Swim
77 Sunbathe
85 Walk
81 Photo
Best for walking today
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued July 22 at 8:53AM PDT until July 23 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS San Francisco CA
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...West winds 10 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt expected. * WHERE...Monterey Bay. * WHEN...From 9 AM to 9 PM PDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
72°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
76°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
62°F
Cold
Wave Height
4.9 ft
14s · S swell
Barometer
30.10 inHg
1019 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
7 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform
USGS · sampled 6mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
9:05 AM
Sunset
11:23 PM
Moon · 58%
First Quarter
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:45 AM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| 7:02 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 11:00 AM | Low | 2.5 ft |
| 6:00 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:49 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 8:48 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 11:58 AM | Low | 2.9 ft |
| 6:47 PM | High | 5.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:40 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 9:56 AM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 1:01 PM | Low | 3.1 ft |
| 7:34 PM | High | 5.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:23 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 10:37 AM | High | 3.6 ft |
| 1:57 PM | Low | 3.2 ft |
| 8:18 PM | High | 5.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:01 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 11:08 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 2:44 PM | Low | 3.1 ft |
| 8:58 PM | High | 5.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:36 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 11:34 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 3:25 PM | Low | 3.0 ft |
| 9:36 PM | High | 5.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:08 AM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 11:59 AM | High | 3.8 ft |
| 4:05 PM | Low | 2.9 ft |
| 10:13 PM | High | 5.8 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 9413450, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
76°
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
0%
78
77°
Mostly Sunny
0%
79
78°
Sunny
0%
79
78°
Mostly Sunny
0%
79
77°
Sunny
0%
78
76°
Mostly Sunny
0%
78
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 62°F
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
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Capitola Beach today?
Capitola Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
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