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Seacliff State Beach is known for its fishing pier and concrete freighter, The Palo Alto. Unfortunately, the ship is unsafe and closed to the public. Only the pier is open for fishing. The beach is also a popular swimming spot. There is a long stretch of sand backed by bluffs. There is a covered picnic facility. The park also has an interpretive center.
Getting There
Take the State Park Drive exit from Highway One in the neighborhood of Aptos.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Take the State Park Drive exit from Highway One in the neighborhood of Aptos.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Climate/Recommended Clothing
The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
Operating Hours & Contact
The park is open from 8am to sunset.
Telephone: 831-685-6442
The park is open from 8am to sunset.
Telephone: 831-685-6442
Camping
Camping is a popular activity here and many campsites have hookups.
Make Campground Reservations
Camping is a popular activity here and many campsites have hookups.
Make Campground Reservations
About the Ship
In 1910 a Norwegian civil engineer named Fougner thought of using concrete to build ships. It wasn't until 1917, when wartime steel shortages required the use of cement for construction that Fougner's idea was used. Three concrete ships were built. Two, the Peralta and the Palo Alto, were built at the U.S. Naval Shipyard in Oakland, California while the third, the Faith, was built in a shipyard in Redwood City, California. The Peralta and the Palo Alto were built for wartime use as tankers, however World War One ended before ship construction was finished -- so they were never used.
The Palo Alto remained docked in Oakland until 1929, when the Cal-Nevada Company bought the ship with the idea of making her into an amusement and fishing ship. Her maiden voyage was made under tow to Seacliff State Beach. Once positioned at the beach, the sea cocks were opened and the Palo Alto settled to the ocean bottom. By the summer of 1930 a pier had been built leading to the ship, the ship was remodeled. A dance floor on the main deck was added, also a cafe in the superstructure was built, as was a fifty-four foot heated swimming pool, and a series of carnival type concessions were placed on the afterdeck. The Cal-Nevada Company went broke after two seasons -- then the Palo Alto was stripped, leaving the ship and the pier to be used only for fishing.
In 1910 a Norwegian civil engineer named Fougner thought of using concrete to build ships. It wasn't until 1917, when wartime steel shortages required the use of cement for construction that Fougner's idea was used. Three concrete ships were built. Two, the Peralta and the Palo Alto, were built at the U.S. Naval Shipyard in Oakland, California while the third, the Faith, was built in a shipyard in Redwood City, California. The Peralta and the Palo Alto were built for wartime use as tankers, however World War One ended before ship construction was finished -- so they were never used.
The Palo Alto remained docked in Oakland until 1929, when the Cal-Nevada Company bought the ship with the idea of making her into an amusement and fishing ship. Her maiden voyage was made under tow to Seacliff State Beach. Once positioned at the beach, the sea cocks were opened and the Palo Alto settled to the ocean bottom. By the summer of 1930 a pier had been built leading to the ship, the ship was remodeled. A dance floor on the main deck was added, also a cafe in the superstructure was built, as was a fifty-four foot heated swimming pool, and a series of carnival type concessions were placed on the afterdeck. The Cal-Nevada Company went broke after two seasons -- then the Palo Alto was stripped, leaving the ship and the pier to be used only for fishing.
Wildlife Habitats
Much as a reef does, the Palo Alto attracts an immense variety of marine life within its concrete wreckage, and many of the same animals found on rocky shores live on its concrete sides. Mussels, barnacles, sea stars, sea anemones, ocean worms and rock crabs all cling to the sides of the ship and pier. Harbor seals line the deck, while pelicans and cormorants perch on the bow. Anglers catch sole, flounder, mackerel, halibut, lingcod, cabezon, jacksmelt, perch, anchovy, bocaccio (tomcod), kingfish, and occasionally salmon and steelhead from the pier.
During summer and early fall, sooty shearwaters - small, dark seabirds - arrive by the tens of thousands from as far south as New Zealand, soaring in figure eights over the water, searching for anchovies. Sea lions, harbor seals, dolphins, sea otters and whales also visit the area.
Much as a reef does, the Palo Alto attracts an immense variety of marine life within its concrete wreckage, and many of the same animals found on rocky shores live on its concrete sides. Mussels, barnacles, sea stars, sea anemones, ocean worms and rock crabs all cling to the sides of the ship and pier. Harbor seals line the deck, while pelicans and cormorants perch on the bow. Anglers catch sole, flounder, mackerel, halibut, lingcod, cabezon, jacksmelt, perch, anchovy, bocaccio (tomcod), kingfish, and occasionally salmon and steelhead from the pier.
During summer and early fall, sooty shearwaters - small, dark seabirds - arrive by the tens of thousands from as far south as New Zealand, soaring in figure eights over the water, searching for anchovies. Sea lions, harbor seals, dolphins, sea otters and whales also visit the area.
Accessible Features
Camping: The campground is a converted parking lot, so all 26 sites are asphalt and for self-contained RVs only. A self-contained vehicle contains permanent working plumbing fixtures, flushable toilets, and a sealed effluent holding tank. The maximum consecutive stay is 7 days. All sites overlook the ocean and have electric, water, and sewer hook-ups. Site 13 is designated accessible. Reservations are accepted year-round and are a necessity in summer and beyond at this highly popular beach campground. Restroom with shower: Toilets and showers are adjacent to site 13 and are generally accessible. Two other restrooms, one at each end of the overflow camping area, are generally accessible. Parking: Designated accessible parking is available.
Picnic Area: South End Day Use Area - many accessible picnic sites under shade structures are available. Accessible parking and several accessible restrooms are available.
Trails: The Seacliff Walking Trail is a paved level pathway that goes between the beach and bluff for 0.9 mile and provides access to picnic sites and the beach. The trailhead is at Rio Del Mar with accessible parking and accessible restrooms available nearby.
Beach/Shore Access: Rio del Mar Area - a beach wheelchair is available. Call 831-685-6442 for information. Parking, comfort stations with dressing rooms in both north and south lots, and outdoor rinsing showers are accessible.
Be the first to add a trip in this destination!Camping: The campground is a converted parking lot, so all 26 sites are asphalt and for self-contained RVs only. A self-contained vehicle contains permanent working plumbing fixtures, flushable toilets, and a sealed effluent holding tank. The maximum consecutive stay is 7 days. All sites overlook the ocean and have electric, water, and sewer hook-ups. Site 13 is designated accessible. Reservations are accepted year-round and are a necessity in summer and beyond at this highly popular beach campground. Restroom with shower: Toilets and showers are adjacent to site 13 and are generally accessible. Two other restrooms, one at each end of the overflow camping area, are generally accessible. Parking: Designated accessible parking is available.
Picnic Area: South End Day Use Area - many accessible picnic sites under shade structures are available. Accessible parking and several accessible restrooms are available.
Trails: The Seacliff Walking Trail is a paved level pathway that goes between the beach and bluff for 0.9 mile and provides access to picnic sites and the beach. The trailhead is at Rio Del Mar with accessible parking and accessible restrooms available nearby.
Beach/Shore Access: Rio del Mar Area - a beach wheelchair is available. Call 831-685-6442 for information. Parking, comfort stations with dressing rooms in both north and south lots, and outdoor rinsing showers are accessible.
Nearby Community Trips
