Looking for things to do in Capitola this fall? We have your Saturday planned.
Fall in Capitola Village, California still comes with ocean views, walks along Capitola Beach, locally owned shops, waterfront restaurants, and plenty of reasons to spend the entire day by the coast. And on Saturday, November 14, there’s one more reason to visit: Capitola Sip & Stroll.
From 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Sip & Stroll turns Capitola Village into a walkable wine tasting experience, pairing area wineries with local Village businesses. Your $50 ticket includes wine tastings throughout the Village and a commemorative tasting glass, and you’re free to explore at your own pace.
But don’t just come for the wine tasting. Make a full fall day out of it.
Here’s your Capitola Village fall itinerary, from morning coffee to dinner by the coast.
9:00 AM: Start Your Fall Day at Mr. Toots Coffeehouse
First things first: coffee.
Start upstairs at Mr Toots Coffeehouse, a longtime Capitola Village coffee stop overlooking the water. Grab your morning coffee, find a spot by the window or on the small balcony, and take in views of Capitola Beach, Soquel Creek, and the colorful Village below.
After coffee, head down to the Esplanade for a morning walk along Capitola Beach and the Capitola Wharf. November mornings can be a little cooler by the water, which makes this the perfect time to grab a cozy layer and enjoy the quieter side of the Village.
If you’re searching for a relaxing fall day trip from the San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose, Monterey, or Santa Cruz, this is a pretty good way to start.
10:00 AM: Go Fall Shopping in Capitola Village
Next up: shopping.
One of the best things about shopping in Capitola Village is how much you can discover within just a few blocks. The Village is home to independently owned boutiques, galleries, specialty stores, jewelry shops, and businesses you won’t find at every shopping center.
Start at Clementine & Co for home décor and pieces that feel especially fitting as the weather cools down. Then wander over to Craft Gallery, a family-owned Village fixture featuring pottery, jewelry, art glass, woodwork, garden art, and other work from hundreds of American craftspeople.
Make another stop at Katalina’s Boutique for clothing, accessories, jewelry, and Capitola-inspired pieces.
And don’t worry about seeing everything before noon. You’ll be walking in and out of more local businesses once Sip & Stroll begins.
11:00 AM: Fuel Up at Avenue Café
Before five hours of wine tasting, lunch is a good idea.
Stop at Avenue Café, a casual breakfast and lunch spot right in Capitola Village. It’s a convenient place to sit down for a hearty meal before the afternoon begins.
Take your time, but keep an eye on the clock.
At noon, the wine starts pouring.
12:00 PM: Capitola Sip & Stroll Begins
This is the main event.
Capitola Sip & Stroll is a self-guided wine tasting experience right in the heart of Capitola Village. Instead of spending the afternoon in one tasting room, you’ll walk through the Village, stopping at participating local shops and businesses where area wineries will be pouring.
There’s no strict itinerary and no need to rush from one tasting to the next.
Grab your commemorative glass, choose where you want to start, and stroll.
Capitola Sip & Stroll 2026
Date: Saturday, November 14
Time: 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: Capitola Village
Tickets: $50 per person
Includes: Commemorative tasting glass + wine tastings throughout the Village
Featured wineries include Bargetto Winery, Storrs Winery, and Armida Winery. Sip & Stroll has also welcomed wineries and producers from throughout the region in past years, making the event a fun opportunity to discover something you haven’t tried before.
1:30 PM: Sip, Shop, Repeat
This is the part we especially love about Sip & Stroll.
Your tasting stops are woven into the Village itself, so shopping isn’t something you have to squeeze in before or after the event. It becomes part of the afternoon.
Pop into Craft Gallery Annex. See what’s new at Rainbow City Limit. Browse Capitola Seashells, Lumen Gallery, Ethos, or Phoebe’s Jewelry & Art. Capitola Village’s current shopping directory includes everything from art and jewelry to home goods, gifts and specialty shops.
See something you like? Buy it.
Sip & Stroll is about more than wine. The event is designed to bring people directly into Capitola’s locally owned businesses while introducing guests to area wineries. Spending locally helps support the shops and people that give the Village its character.
3:00 PM: Take a Capitola Beach Break
You’re wine tasting in one of California’s most recognizable beach towns. Take advantage of it.
Between tastings, head toward Capitola Beach for a little fresh air, walk out along the Capitola Wharf, or find a spot overlooking Monterey Bay.
There’s no finish line at Sip & Stroll. The event is self-guided specifically so you can enjoy the Village at your own pace.
This is your excuse to slow down for a bit before heading back for another tasting.
5:00 PM: Sip & Stroll Ends. Dinner Begins.
The final tasting may be at 5:00 PM, but your fall day in Capitola Village definitely doesn’t have to end there.
For a cozy dinner, head to Trestles Restaurant, a chef-driven New American restaurant near the historic Capitola trestle. Its seasonal menu and tucked-away Village setting make it a great transition from an afternoon of wine tasting into a relaxed fall dinner.
Want to stay closer to the water? Paradise Beach Grille sits right on the Esplanade with views toward Capitola Beach and the colorful Venetian Court.
Or make dinner part of the classic Capitola experience with Shadowbrook Restaurant, known for its creekside setting, gardens, and iconic cable car entrance.
Capitola Village currently has dining options ranging from Mexican food and pizza to seafood, Italian cuisine, pub fare, waterfront dining, wine tasting, and more.
Better Yet: Stay the Night in Capitola
Why turn your Capitola fall getaway into a day trip when you can make a weekend out of it?
Stay in Capitola Village and you can leave the car behind after Sip & Stroll, enjoy dinner, and wake up within walking distance of the beach the next morning.
Options around the Village include boutique lodging and vacation rentals, giving couples, groups of friends, and families plenty of ways to turn the event into a full coastal weekend.
Wake up Sunday, grab breakfast, walk the Wharf, revisit the shop you discovered during Sip & Stroll, and squeeze a little more Capitola into your weekend before heading home.
Why Sip & Stroll Is More Than a Capitola Wine Event
Wine may get you here, but Capitola Sip & Stroll is really about the Village.
Every stop gives you another opportunity to walk into a local business, meet the people behind it, and experience Capitola beyond the beach. Local wineries get to pour for new guests, Village businesses welcome people through their doors, and visitors get an afternoon that feels much more personal than a traditional wine tasting event.
Sip & Stroll is presented by the Capitola Village Business Improvement Association, which supports events, advocacy, beautification, and marketing efforts designed to keep the Village vibrant.
Plan Your Fall Weekend in Capitola Village
Fall is a pretty good excuse to see a different side of this California beach town.
Capitola Sip & Stroll takes place Saturday, November 14 from 12:00 PM–5:00 PM. Tickets are $50 per person and include a commemorative tasting glass and wine tastings throughout Capitola Village.
Come for Sip & Stroll. Stay for everything else that makes fall in Capitola Village worth the trip.
Get Capitola Sip & Stroll Tickets
Travel Blog and Photos Courtesy of Opposite of East