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    North Pier

    5.0 (1 review)

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    5 years ago

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    Rispin Mansion - Slight easy incline

    Rispin Mansion

    5.0(2 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Parking 808 Bay Ave in the Nob Hill parking lot near the back of the store. Nice easy walk. Good…read moretemperature because of clouds and shade because of the many many trees. I don't think it ever gets hot here. Looking good.

    Rispin Mansion Capitola CA Sat 10/30/21…read more The Rispin Mansion in Capitola California is a historic mansion, registered on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. I've been at this site countless times over the years, oh how I regret not to have posted my previously taken photos, lost in the mists of time (and annals of my old laptops somewhere)! Wish I had a review written back in a day. And I'll tell you why, in a second. Around 75% of the Rispin Mansion had been destroyed by fire about 10 years ago. It was soon after the Capitola City Council approved a 55-year lease that would repair the grounds and turn it into a 25-room boutique hotel, back in May of 2009. The project was billed at $14 million, however, just before the construction started, a fire broke out. And now you know the rest of the story! So the grounds are fenced with the chicken wire and abandoned on the day of my today's visit on Saturday October 30, 2021. The building was constructed in 1921 by San Franciscan Henry Allen Rispin. It was built with four stories, 22 rooms, and over 7,100 square feet, on the grounds of what was called "Camp Capitola". Described as being "cursed," Rispin Mansion was first used as a real-estate showroom, and then, at various times, as a residence, a nunnery, a SWAT practice ground, and even as a ghost hunting site! Why is it on the National Register, what's historic about it? Well, I'm glad that you asked. It's because Henry Allen Rispin was one of the founding fathers of Capitola. He saw its large potential as a vacation spot and tourist attraction. Rispin owned or controlled most of the land in the new city of Capitola. During the Great Depression, he lost his fortune and had to sell the mansion. It went to his business partner Robert Hays Smith through foreclose, then got sold to the Oblates of St. Joseph and became a convent, until 1959. For many decades thereafter, Rispin Mansion stayed unoccupied, neglected, vandalized with graffiti, ghosted. That is until the city purchased the property in 1985 for mere $1.35 million and eventually placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. It attracts supernatural interest from the ghost hunters who visit the property during the middle of the night, to film the paranormal activities. So I thought it was most fitting to pen my review on Halloween 2021 to bring your attention to Rispin Mansion and its ghosts of the past. Cheers! Review #654 posted with 6 pictures on October 30, 2021 Rispin Mansion Capitola CA Sat 10/30/21 ® It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah It don't mean a thing all you got to do is sing doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah It makes no difference If it's sweet or hot Just give that rhythm Everything you've got Rispin Mansion Capitola CA Sat 10/30/21

    Photos
    Rispin Mansion - Easy to walk the bridge.  Super high up.

    Easy to walk the bridge. Super high up.

    Rispin Mansion - It's finally open.

    It's finally open.

    Rispin Mansion - Spoke of the mansion.  Looks forward to future updates and visiting again.

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    Spoke of the mansion. Looks forward to future updates and visiting again.

    City of Capitola - 7/23/25 FYI.

    City of Capitola

    2.5(49 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Quality/Quantity - Fun city, I actually enjoy it more than Santa Cruz now. But that might change…read moreif/when I have more little ones in my life. Of course, they are known for their beaches. Other things to do: Breweries, wineries, restaurants, etc. History, museums, parks, etc. Other things to do that I have less interest in: Art, etc. Only an hour to two from the Bay Area, depending on traffic. Nearby cities are: Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Los Gatos. Atmosphere - 1.68 square miles with 0.08 water. But also next to the ocean. 2024 population = 9456 (US Census). Cut and pasted from the internet, the current landmark with a recent facelift: "The Venetian Court sits on the beach just east of the pier and is on the Register of National Historic Places as "The first Condominium Beach Community in the United States, built in 1924." Service - Depends on what you do, eat, or drink. Price - Depends on what you do, eat, or drink. We did both local and tourist stuff on this visit. Overall prices are reasonable, slightly above average. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 1949.

    Capitola is...fine. This review is specifically for the officer that does parking "enforcement". If…read moreyou park in the village, bring a ruler and make sure that you don't park 19 inches away from the curb or you will be ticketed. The officer will stop his chatting long enough to write you a ticket and then scurry away.

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    City of Capitola
    City of Capitola - 7/21/25 FYI.

    7/21/25 FYI.

    City of Capitola - 7/21/25 FYI.

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    7/21/25 FYI.

    Pleasure Point - Short-billed and California gulls

    Pleasure Point

    4.3(61 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    Pleasure Point, on the northern Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz County, California, is a world-renowned…read moresurf location, traditionally defined as the area along the coast from 41st Ave to Moran Lagoon, up 30th Ave to Portola and over to 41st Ave down to the sea at the "Hook". It has a firmly rooted surf culture. We regularly spend time in the Pleasure Point area renting vacation houses there in June. We recently got back from renting a property right on East Cliff named, "The Cabin." Great rental with an awesome view of the Bay and surfers. We enjoy seeing all the locals and tourists walk, ride their e-bikes, or surf there. It's location is near Capitola, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk , and many local restaurants, bars, coffee spots you'd expect. They have an annual neighborhood festival there every June also that's very fun to attend. Over 100 vendors sell arts, crafts, local services, food and beverages. They have a kids zone, beer garden and local bands perform a variety of styles of music on two stages including Americana, Blues, Rock, Reggae and Surf Music. Pleasure Point is a great area!

    Such a great spot with a beautiful viewpoint for surfers. Limited spot mainly for surfing…read moreactivities. The stairs that lead down to the beach are perfect for surfers to easily get to the water. Today, they hosted a youth surfing competition, which was awesome to watch -- so much talent! The vibe is laid-back and the view of the ocean is just stunning. Whether you're a surfer or just enjoying the sights, it's a fantastic place to hang out. Careful of the sneaker waves though!

    Photos
    Pleasure Point - Sea otter

    Sea otter

    Pleasure Point
    Pleasure Point - Lots of rental properties in the Pleasure Point area.

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    Lots of rental properties in the Pleasure Point area.

    North Pier - localflavor - Updated July 2026

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