From Naples in Long Beach to the quirky and iconic Venice Beach, Italian immigrants have left plenty of cultural marks not just in SoCal, but across the state. This particular spot holds huge historical significance as the first coastal settlement in the West, with clear inspiration from Burano, the famous and colorful Venetian island.
California’s first beach town resort
Capitola, located in Santa Cruz County, started as a tiny waterfront spot called Soquel Landing back in the 1850s, where ships unloaded lumber and farm goods from inland areas. In 1865, a man named Frederick Hihn bought the land and knew it had more to offer than just a dock.
He built a wharf and cabins, and by 1874, he turned it into something called Camp Capitola, which was basically one of the first real seaside resort areas on the West Coast, where people came to relax, eat, and enjoy the ocean breeze. Over the years, it grew into a full beach town with hotels, shops, restaurants, train lines, and summer crowds.
Venetian vibes in the Golden State
Right at the heart of Capitola’s charm is the Venetian Court. A set of pastel‑colored row houses right on the sand, very similar to what you will see along the canals in Burano, Venice. Built between 1924 and 1925, it was one of the first resort condo/motel complexes in California, blending Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial, and Mission Revival styles.
The bungalows feature classic arched windows, stucco walls, terra‑cotta tile accents, and a color palette that is vibrant, fun, and very Instagrammable. While the architecture definitely evokes Venice, the town doesn’t have actual canals or gondolas, but that only makes it more captivating.