China Beach — Attraction in Capitola

During the 1870's and 1880's, a small village constructed of scrap lumber and driftwood was erected at the base of these cliffs. Known as China Beach, or China Cove, it was established by Chinese fishermen who set their nets by boat and then hauled their daily catch onto the beach by hand for drying and selling.

By 1890, however, the expanding resort industry and waves of anti-Chinese sentiment had combined to force the last of the Chinese fishermen out of Santa Cruz County.

The Monterey Viejo Chapter of E Clampus Vitus erected a marker...

I find this beach dirty and cold. Long waits to get in while you wait for the campers to register, no street parking. Rarely much of a beach, and the sand has abundant rocks that hurt your feet when you go in the water. The water is stagnant and murky and drops off quickly and is a known shark habitat. I much prefer the beaches of Santa Cruz, Seabright, Main Beach and It's beach on the West side. Capitola Beach is...

This is another name for New Brighton State Beach. Beautiful and if you catch a -0 low tide you can walk from there to Capitola Beach and see cool fossils...