Featured Capitola California
Real Estate Agent

Gregg Camp

Phone: 831-464-4423
Broker: David Lyng Real Estate

The Jewel box neighborhood of Capitola is a development from probably around the 40’s. It is reputed to have gotten the name from a lumber yard there named Opal. That spawned the name of another development with bluff side oceanview homes, named Opal Cliffs, which is at the coast, as are the train tracks. That theme of a jeweled name led to the creation of the Jewel Box.


The Jewel Box neighborhood of Capitola, California is a mostly homogenous collection bungalows or cottages. Closer to the water, the Jewel Box homes have larger lots and some have fabulous ocean views. Most have standard lot sizes of 40 x 80 feet, which is consistent in this area. My guess is that this development was geared towards returning servicemen from the war. These homes were designed as economical starter homes, and are mostly 2 bedrooms. They have names such as Chrystal, Topaz, Diamond, Ruby, Jade, Emerald and Garnet. On the streets of Ruby and Diamond, they are home to the Capitola Shores condominium complex only.


The development changed from these smaller Capitola Beach Cottages and have larger lots as you get to the larger homes off of 47th avenue toward the ocean. Some of the older homes have been torn down and remodeled and are pretty nice luxury style homes, but mostly they are affordable homes in Capitola. The larger new homes are usually 3 bedrooms and are mostly in the $1.3M and up price range, whereas the smaller homes are often in the $700,000 range. To be sure not cheap, but this is Capitola by the sea. Capitola is a quaint seaside community with a great feel and vibe.


The Jewel Box also has a couple of large condominium developments constructed during the 70’s and they provide a means for people to live here by the beach more affordably. They are mostly all 2 bedroom units. Some are townhouse style, other are condominiums built in groups of 4. The largest of these townhome or condominium developments are Capitola Shores and the Villas of Capitola. To learn more about the beautiful Capitola California region go to www.propertyinsantacruz.com . Visit my Jewel Box website.