Capitola Hidden Secrets: 2-Hour Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour

This self-guided walking tour lets you explore Capitola-by-the-Sea at your own pace using GPS audio narration on your smartphone. The 2-hour route takes you through hidden streets, stairways, and paths to landmarks including Capitola Wharf, the Shadowbrook restaurant, and the Capitola Historical Museum. You'll receive a unique app link 24 hours before your visit, allowing you to start whenever suits you during daylight hours.

The audio guide shares local stories at each stop, from the 1947 origins of Shadowbrook to the photograph collection inside the Historical Museum. You can pause the tour, linger at the Historic Riverview Path (a hidden easement with a windmill and sea stars), or skip ahead as you wish. The app works on both iOS and Android devices.

The tour is not wheelchair accessible due to the stairways and uneven paths along the route. Bring a fully charged phone and headphones, and plan to walk through the Heart of Capitola Village, the historical Venetian hotel, and Capitola Wharf, where you'll see Pacific Ocean views from the waterfront.