This 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.
Location - Directions
Take the State Park Drive exit from Highway One in the neighborhood of Aptos.
Seasons - Climate - Recommended clothing
The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
Why there is a ship at the end of the pier?
Was it built there -- or did it sink there?
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 at the U.S. Naval Shipyard in Oakland, California. These ships were
the Faith, the Peralta, and the Palo Alto. The Peralta and
the Palo Alto were built for wartime use as tankers, however World WarOne 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 used only for fishing.Reservations:
1-800-444-7275
Telephone:
(831) 685-6442
Operating Hours:
Call the beach |
