Lost something in Capitola? Here is where to report it.
Submit one report and we route it to the Capitola Police Department, local lost and found offices, and active community channels. Your report stays active, searching for matches across the area.
What did you lose?
If there isn’t an adequate suggestion, select “Other – My item isn’t listed” and enter the item’s category. You can provide details later.
Publishing your report is free and your details stay private. The assisted search is a separate paid service, described in the Terms.
Recent activity
California : found property must be held by law enforcement for at least 90 days before it can pass to the finder, be auctioned or disposed of. (California Civil Code §2080.2)
Across the United States
- Wrislet clutch gray/silver bag with documents · Chicago, IL, October 8
- Ring TM on top · Greensboro, NC, October 8
- Keys · Sarasota, FL, October 8
- Keys · Brookline, MA, October 7
- Camera · Monterey, CA, October 7
Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.
How it works
You tell us what you lost
Describe your item, where and when you lost it in Capitola, and how to reach you. We gather the specifics the police and local services need.
We notify the right people
Your report goes to the Capitola Police Department, relevant lost and found desks, and community groups where locals post finds. You don't have to make multiple calls.
Your report keeps searching
For 12 months, your report automatically matches against new found posts and announcements. You get alerts when a credible match surfaces, so you're not refreshing social feeds yourself every day.
Where things get lost in Capitola
Each location has a different lost and found process. We help you navigate all of them.
Capitola Police Department
The Capitola Police Department handles lost and found reports and can file official reports for stolen or missing items. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; non-emergency dispatch is available 24 hours. We generate the right details and deliver your report directly to the department.
City of Capitola
City Hall can help direct you to specific departments or lost and found locations depending on where you lost your item. Staff at City Hall can also advise on public spaces and parks where found items are often turned in.
Santa Cruz Metro Transit
If you left your item on a bus traveling through Capitola, Santa Cruz Metro's lost and found service keeps items for a period before they're discarded. We identify your specific route and contact the transit lost and found on your behalf.
Monterey Regional Airport
If you lost your item at or near Monterey Regional Airport, about 45 minutes south of Capitola, the airport's lost and found office on the second floor handles unclaimed items. Items are typically held for a limited time before being donated.
Lost a pet?
The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter serves all of Santa Cruz County, including Capitola, and maintains daily lost and found pet listings. They work with local volunteers and animal control to reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners. If your pet is missing, file a priority lost pet report.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Ready to find your item?
The sooner you file a report, the sooner our system starts cross-referencing found posts and announcements. Most items turn up within the first few weeks, and your report will be there when they do.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Capitola means checking with the police, scanning multiple Facebook groups, calling transit if it was on a bus, and hoping someone posts a photo in The Santa Cruz Community group or Santa Cruz: Lost, Found and Stolen. Each channel works independently, and if your item shows up weeks later, you might miss it unless you're actively searching.
ReportLost cuts through that fragmentation. File once, and we notify the Capitola Police Department, the local transit lost and found, community networks, and social channels all at once. More importantly, your report stays active and keeps searching for a match automatically for months, alerting you if something matching your description surfaces anywhere. You can stop worrying about checking ten different places and let your report do the work.
Common places people lose things in Capitola
Your loss location helps us route your report to the right local channels.
Capitola Village
The heart of the city along Capitola Wharf, where locals and visitors gather at shops, restaurants, and the beach. Wallets, phones, and jewelry are frequently left behind in cafés, on benches, or near the water.
Downtown Capitola / Capitola Avenue
The main commercial corridor with shops, banks, and services. Items lost here are often turned in to nearby businesses or the police station a few blocks away.
Capitola Mall Transit Center
A major hub for Santa Cruz Metro buses. Items left on buses or at the transit center are logged with SC Metro's lost and found. We confirm your bus route and contact them directly.
Beaches and Coastal Areas
Rings, keys, and glasses are easily lost in sand or dropped along the shore. Some found beach items are turned in to local lifeguard stations or nearby businesses.
Capitola Parks and Recreational Areas
Walkers, joggers, and families using local parks sometimes leave behind items. Found items may be held at nearby community centers or turned in to City Hall.
Active community channels in Capitola
We post your lost item on these channels so neighbors can help.
Facebook group where locals post and search for lost and found items across the Santa Cruz area.
A large and active local group frequently used for lost pet and lost item posts.
Dedicated network of volunteers focused on reuniting lost pets; includes Capitola and surrounding areas.
Santa Cruz subreddit where residents share lost and found announcements.
The department posts lost and found announcements and community alerts.
Craigslist's Lost & Found section for Capitola serves as a secondary channel for local postings.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Capitola Police Department hold lost and found items?
The police department's procedures may vary. Contact them at (831) 475-4242 or visit during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) to confirm how long items are retained before disposal or donation. We help you file a report so you don't have to call directly.
How long does Santa Cruz Metro keep items left on buses?
Check with SC Metro's Customer Service at (831) 425-8600 (open daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) to find out the retention period for your specific bus route. We identify the right route and contact them for you.
If I lost my pet, where should I start?
Contact the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at (831) 454-7200 immediately and check their online lost pet listings daily. Also post to local Facebook groups like <strong>Lost Dogs & Pets of Santa Cruz County</strong>. For the fastest help, file a priority lost pet report so we alert shelter staff and community networks simultaneously.
What if I lost something at Monterey Regional Airport?
Call the MRY Lost and Found at (831) 333-2300 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday–Friday. Items are held in the terminal's lost and found office on the second floor. We can file a report covering this area so it's documented in local channels.
How does ReportLost help if my item is lost in Capitola?
You file one report with details about your lost item and where it went missing. We send your information to the Capitola Police Department, alert local transit and community lost and found channels, and post to Facebook groups and Craigslist. Crucially, your report stays active and automatically searches for matches for 12 months, so you don't have to recheck every site yourself.
Is ReportLost.org official, and does it replace the police?
ReportLost is an independent service that works alongside official channels. We're not the police or a government agency, but we notify the Capitola Police Department and other local authorities on your behalf, and we amplify your report across community networks. Filing with us does not replace filing a police report if your item was stolen; it complements official channels and extends your search reach.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Don't let your lost item disappear
Every day that passes makes it harder for your item to be found. File your report now, and we'll set your search in motion across Capitola's police, transit, and community channels. Once it's filed, your report keeps working for you automatically.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Capitola Police Department, City of Capitola, Santa Cruz Metro, Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, or any other local government or private entity mentioned. We help you report your lost item to these organizations and amplify your report across community channels, but we do not replace their services or official loss reporting procedures. All links provided point directly to official resources for verification and direct contact.