STAY Once inside the lobby of the Inn at Depot Hill, you are whisked away into the Golden Era of train travel of the 1940s and 1950s. Vintage suitcases and travel books line the bookshelves, and a soundtrack of Big Band music sets the tone. A flickering fire in the marble hearth, sparkling chandeliers, and gilded frames on the mustard walls greet you with warmth. The house began life as a train depot, and today this bed and breakfast inn is still hopping with travelers from around the world. Innkeeper Mandy Dal Porto will direct you to secluded ocean view trails. Special indulgences include a gourmet breakfast, afternoon wine hour and an after-dinner salon pairing port and truffles. The 12 guestrooms at this romantic two-story inn (with prices in the $200 range) are decked out with different geographical themes. Shoji screens frame the purple and gold Kyoto room where you can nestle by the fireplace, sit in your own Zen bamboo garden or steep your body in the Japanese soaking tub. Other theme rooms take you to other enchanting cities including Paris, Portofino and Valencia. STEP OUT You’re a six-minute walk to the water, where the seafaring adventurer in you can head to Capitola Wharf ’s Capitola Boat & Bait. From there, rent a kayak, stand-up paddleboard or motorized fishing boat for an hour or an entire day. Land lovers can fish for perch or cod off the pier (no license needed) with a rented pole. Docents at the Capitola Historical Museum lead free walking tours of the town upon request, and you can also embark on a self-guided 72 South Bay Accent tour of a dozen historic sites using the free Capitola Village brochure. Be sure to take note of the petite parks, many the size of a front lawn. Channel your inner Van Gogh at Palace Art & Office Supply. Thursdays and Fridays are set aside for acrylic painting under the guidance of a professional art instructor for only $30 per class. SIP & SAVOR Begin your wine-hopping pilgrimage at Armida Winery and Cava Capitola. During your $10 tasting of zins and chardonnays at Armida, be sure to ask about its wine label called Poizin, dubbed the wine to die for. Commandeer a table at Cava Capitola and imbibe domestic and international wines or beers by the flight, glass or bottle as you listen to live music in its fireside atmosphere. Spend an intimate evening at Shadowbrook, a former log cabin built as a summer home that has expanded to encompass four levels graced with three fireplaces and six dining rooms, waterfalls and well-tended flowering gardens. Its signature red funicular carries guests from the top of the knoll down to a craggy creek. Known for locally sourced meat and seafood with organic ingredients, Shadowbrook hits high notes for its salmon, prime rib and blackened lamb loin. If you are staying nearby, be sure to call the restaurant for a complimentary Yellow taxicab ride. A jaunt in this old-fashioned rumbler adds a touch of nostalgia to the evening. On the beach, dine on prime rib for a mere $15.95 on Thursday evenings at Zelda’s. For elevated views and the alfresco Shadowbrook Restaurant, Capitola ANY EVENT BECOMES A CELEBRATION AT CAPITOLA’S SHADOWBROOK, CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MO ST ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS IN THE COUNTRY. Inn at Depot Hill, Capitola
South Bay Accent - June/July 2017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above