S. S. Palo Alto - concrete ship.

S.S. Palo Alto Concrete Ship

Though deteriorated and too far gone to board, the S.S. Palo Alto is still visible off Seacliff Beach.

Originally launched in 1919, it was once connected by a pier and used as part of an area amusement park in the late 1920s. A winter storm broke the ship in half; it was stripped for salvage and turned into a fishing pier in Seacliff State Beach. The pier juts out to to the edge of the ship, which is usually covered with sea birds

The S.S. Palo Alto, while barely identifiable as a ship, is in much better shape than her counterpart cement ship off NJ's coast, the S. S. Atlantus.

Admission is charged for beach access, but a friendly gate guard may let you pull off for a minute to take a quick peek from the cliff.

Also see: Crumbling Wreck of S. S. Atlantus

S.S. Palo Alto Concrete Ship

Seacliff State Beach

Address:: US Hwy 1, Aptos, CA
Directions:: Exit US Hwy 1 at State Park Dr., turn towards ocean, cross railroad tracks, enter state park. Admission for full beach access.
Admission:: $8 per car.

Nearby Offbeat Places

1989 Earthquake Epicenter Area, Aptos, CA - 2 mi.
Half-Man, Half-Bear, Santa Cruz, CA - 5 mi.
Beached Grey Whale Statue, Santa Cruz, CA - 5 mi.
In the region: World's Largest Permanent Outdoor Monopoly Board, San Jose, CA - 25 mi.

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April 10, 2013