SeeCalifornia.com

Capitola by the Sea isn’t for everyone. In fact, most people can’t afford to live there. But for those who love the California beach lifestyle, this little city of 2 square miles and 10,000 people is the kind of place you’d like to pack up and move to, especially if you like a slower pace. Its scenic charm is reminiscent of the Riviera. Around every bend are splashes of color–flowers, flag banners, beach umbrellas, and even the buildings are painted bright and cheerful colors, complimenting the serene blues of the sky and sea. It’s a surfer’s paradise where newcomers can take surf lessons. Then there’s swimming, boating, bicycling, hikes, pier strolls, and the waves & sand ever present.

Most of us will visit, be surprised, delighted and entertained, and go home with fond memories. That’s how a vacation should be. But if you ever want to live in Capitola, you may have to stick to apartments, mobile homes, townhomes and condos. If you’re looking for a beach-close house which most Capitola homes are,) then you might want to plan on spending around $850K – $1.5 million for something nice–not necessarily luxurious but nice.  It takes money to become a beach bum in Capitola, but it’s not different than most the coast where living at the beach costs a little bit more–but the lifestyle is priceless.