Monday, October 09, 2006

Capitola Escape

We took another break this past weekend and drove over to Capitola to visit our friends Gary and Francine at their new home. Capitola is a small beach community just south of Santa Cruz.



There is a great old wharf with a good seafood restaurant at the end. The open-air bar upstairs was filled with live music, dancing, and good food. The sun was shining; the water glistened. The call of seagulls filled the air. The salty sweet fragrance of ocean and flowers tantalized.



The village area is book ended by two hillsides. To the north, where Gary and Phaa live, is the Jewel district. Predictably, the streets here are named after jewels. Gary and Phaa live on Jade Street. To the south is the historic Victorian area filled with grand old ladies and the occasional non-Victorian designs. All are lovingly cared for.



After lunch Gary and Don tramped off to visit the Ladies, climbing up 85 steps at one point to reach the streets. Phaa and I explored the river walk area

and hit the shops in the village. Wisely, we let the men go off with all the cash and plastic. Of course this was the day I found the perfect Christmas gift for my brother (I’ll have it shipped) and a $2.00 Dooney & Burke purse in a thrift shop. ** sigh**

We saw
- gulls fighting over pizza;
- fishermen and their catch;
- kites flying


- boats on a hoist


- ladies sitting in a row reading




- the catch of the day being cleaned


It was a wonderful day.

13 comments:

Jeremy said...

It looks like my kind of place. I'm glad you got a break.

TMTW said...

Lovely! How lucky to live in an area that is a treasure!

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

ah, we love Capitola and go often. We've gone for live music or for a wander about or the annual Art Fest labor day weekend. It's definitely the most charming town...if only real estate prices didn't prevent us from living in any part of the Capitola/Santa Cruz area!
So glad you enjoyed your day and your visit with friends!!
XOXO

Anonymous said...

Such nice clear pictures on your blog.

One Crabapple said...

Sounds and LOOKS like a perfectly wonderful day !

trailbee said...

What a stunning day, Anne. These are better than paintings! Well, they could be Wayne Thiebaud paintings.

Anonymous said...

Capitola looks and sounds like a great place, and a great day :) Thanks for sharing it...

Janet said...

I love that whole area. It's so beautiful. Your photos made me feel as if I'd just had a visit there. Glad you had a fun day with friends.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a fantastic way to spend the day! I grew up in the Santa Cruz area, it's such a nice area all around there.

Loved your photos!

Tammy Brierly said...

One of my favorite places! You captured all that I love about it. Where's Margaritaville? LOL

Holly Loves Art said...

Looking at these pictures brings back such fond memories! I got chills. I used to spend a lot of time in Capitola and Monterey when I was in my late teens and early 20's. What special times I had there. I miss it. Thank you so much for sharing.

Linda said...

I once briefly lived in SF and found myself in Capitola by accident while driving around and was enchanted by it. I bought a poster there and have it hanging on my wall now, years later, and still have such good feelings when I look at it. A magical place.

Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

My first real love was in Capitola...or I should say we were in Capitola.