Capitola is a city in Santa Cruz County, California on the coast of Monterey Bay. The population was 10,033 at the 2000 census. Founded as 'Camp Capitola' by Samuel A. Hall in 1874, Capitola was named for the heroine of The Hidden Hand, a novel by the popular author E.D.E.N. Southworth, favored by Hall's daughter Lulu. Capitola is known as the oldest beach resort on the West Coast. Capitola apartments for rent comparison page shows most up to date rent information on Capitola apartments and houses. Rent information is obtained from multiple rental sources but we cannot guarantee their accuracy.