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 -- when steel was scarce because of World War I -- the concrete oil tanker 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 public has been not allowed to climb around on either chunk of ship since 2001.

The S.S. Palo Alto, while barely identifiable as a ship, was in much better shape than her counterpart cement ship off NJ's coast, the S. S. Atlantus. Then in 2017, fierce "king tides" smashed up the Palo Alto and the pier so it has become increasingly less ship-shaped.

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:: $10 per car.

Nearby Offbeat Places

Aptos History Exhibits, Aptos, CA - < 1 mi.

High Five Bronze Hand, Aptos, CA - < 1 mi.

1989 Earthquake Epicenter Area, Aptos, CA - 2 mi.

In the region:

First Surfers Plaque, Museum with Shark Bite Board, Santa Cruz, CA - 6 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in California

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in California.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.