We human beings like to experience the bizarre, the weird and the out of the ordinary. Just think a little bit about it and you are going to give me the reason.
When we travel, we like to include those odd feelings in the journey. Hundreds of people visit/kiss a stone (Blarney Stone), admire a wall covered in bubble gum (Seattle, San Luis Obispo) or walk around a replica of the Stonehenge made of cars (Carhenge). And, I have not even started to mention all the bizarre museums around the world (ramen, hair, bananas, rabbits, etc.).
With that introduction, well, it may be easy to decipher where I am going.
Yes, I stopped at one of those lovable, fun (pure sarcasm) and unique attractions in Northern California. But, I have to admit something. I was expecting something weird. Instead, I got more of what my sanity was able to handle.
Table of Contents
SS Palo Alto
It all started one cold and chilly Saturday morning. We took one of the exits towards the town of Aptos. Leaving the town behind, we immediately moved towards Seacliff State Beach.
We walked a bit around the businesses clustered at the entrance of the beach area. Then, it was time to have that first look at what lied below those cliffs.
Surprise! Surprise! Take a look at what we saw.
That my friends is the SS Palo Alto a concrete ship built as a tanker at the end of World War I. She was built in Oakland but was launched too late to serve in the war.
With my camera, I was able to take a good look at the ship from a high point. But, I felt the urge to go down and take a closer look (dumb idea #1).
After debating for a few minutes with my husband (the entrance fee is $10), we decided to give it a go.
The ship was parked in Oakland for ten years since it never made it to war. In 1929, it was bought by the Seacliff Amusement Corporation and towed to its current location.
A pier was built to connect the ship to the shore. The Palo Alto was fitted with dancing floors, swimming pools, and a café. The company went bankrupt two years after the acquisition of the ship. All valuables were removed and the Palo Alto was left to the elements.
In all honesty, from the shore, the pier, ship, and blue water offer a nice scene. There were tons of people taking selfies with the ship in the background. What is more, the photos taken during sunset are gorgeous.
However, the beautiful scene started to fall down when I took a closer look with the camera’s zoom (dumb idea #2). One word came to my mind: desolation.
I swallowed hard when moving the camera over the open part of the ship. This was a land of cormorants, seagulls and sea lions (and who knows what else).
After the ship was stripped down, it was used as a fishing pier. The deterioration came fast and it had to be closed to the public.
Nowadays, it is what you see in these photos (not a nice place at all). At the beach, I wasn’t able to distinguish what I was seeing on a small screen. Once I got home, I got grossed out (pardon the ugly words) by the photos. During that moment, I was able to really see how horrible the conditions inside the boat are.
That is not it! I got the brilliant idea of getting close using the pier (dumb idea #3). This was the worst of the worst. As I got closer to the gate separating the pier from the ship, a nasty smell deterred me. I turned back, hold my breath, took a few pictures and (literarily) ran away. There was this guy sitting in front of the gate like nothing was happening. Not sure how he was doing it.
Many times I asked myself what I was doing there. Deep inside, in a twisted way, I am glad I stopped to see by myself what this was about.
And there you have it! My traumatizing story where a concrete ship makes a stellar appearance.
Seacliff State Beach
Do not be deterred by my story. Seacliff State Beach is quite nice (just do not get close to the ship). There are extensive, covered picnic facilities (reserve with time), a learning center, RV sites, and other programs. The day I visited, there was live music on the grounds.
Directly north of the pier, you will find different lots with beach front camping spaces. In total, this beach counts with 26 full hookup sites and 38 non-hookup sites.
These spaces are very popular and get reserved fast. If you do not find a site, check out the camping area at New Brighton State Beach, located directly north of Seacliff State Beach.
Where to Eat
Seacliff State Beach is located in the town of Aptos. There are plenty of establishments located nearby to satisfy your hunger. Here are some recommendations.
Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant – This is one of the closest restaurants to the beach and it just happens to be one of the best. Feel free to order fish tacos, enchiladas, chiles rellenos, and mole.
Zameen – Get your fix of Meditteranean fare in here. You can create platters with a protein, sauce, and side. You can add a soup or salad. This is an excellent budget option.
Cafe Rio – On my! This place offers pasta, salads, fresh fish and soups. Expect to find short ribs, wild mushroom risotto, and ahi tuna. Note: This is establishment is not related to the chain of the same name.
Cafe Sparrow – Locals and visitors rave about the dishes served in here. They have options such as New Zealand rack of lamb, peppered Angus filet mignon and calamari piccata.
Red Apple Cafe – In m opinion, this is the best place to get breakfast in the area. They serve a huge variety of combinations including steak, ham, chicken steak, spicy sausage, and eggs. Also, they have eggs benedict, pancakes, French toast, omelets, and potato dishes. Space here is not enough to describe everything they have on the menu. You check them out!
Marianne’s Ice Cream – Ice cream! Do I need to say more? Ok, gourmet ice cream. Do you get it?
Nearby Towns
Capitola – New Brighton is part of the town of Capitola. This is a colorful, charming town in the Santa Cruz Coast. I encourage you to explore it.
Soquel – this small town, adjacent to Capitola (in theory, a census-designated place), has a center (The Village) full of antique shops, a brewery (Discretion Brewery), restaurants and cafes. Do not miss nearby-located, Bargetto Winery.
Santa Cruz – Santa Cruz is known around the world for its surfing culture, Boardwalk, Wharf, historic Mission and tantalizing beaches. You need several days to cover this city. I recommend doing a road trip to the county. Remember to include Capitola on your itinerary.
Moss Landing – Home to the Elkhorn Slough, a marine wildlife sanctuary. You can access the area through small cruises, kayaks and paddle boards.
Monterey – This city, located 40 miles from Capitola, is one of the best stops on any road trip along California. Since it served as California’s capital, it is full of historical monuments. Others visit because of the Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Cannery Row.
Remember you can beach hop in the Monterey Bay. Visit La Selva, Manresa, and Sunset beaches.
DETAILS
Capitola is located 9 miles from Santa Cruz, 38 miles from San Jose and 80 miles from San Francisco. San Jose has the closest, biggest airport in the area. A car rental is recommended if you intend to explore the area.
There is a day use fee to enter the beaches ($10). I recommend spending as much time as possible using the facilitites or at leisure in order to make the most of the fee.
You can find a supermarket, bank and other services at Rancho del Mar Shopping Center.
What is the weirdest attraction you have visited? Have you been to Seacliff State Beach?
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image-in-ing says
Your “dumb ideas” certainly give a different assessment of the beauty of the scene, but it makes for an interesting series.
Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-other-worldly-insect-world.html
Ruth says
Thanks. I think this place will appeal to many people (because of different reasons).
Sally@Toddlers on Tour says
I was quite amazed as the photos went on, at first I thought it was people all over the ship from your distant photos. As you got closer I wondered why you had to pay $10 to see a rusted ship with crows all over it. But it was a fun tale.
Ruth says
Hello Sally, thanks for stopping by. Seacliff State Beach has a $10 day use fee. It is not necessarily a fee to see the ship. A lot of beaches in California has a similar (or more expensive during summer months) fee. There is a parking lot at the top of the beach, near the entrance. If you park there, and walk down (some people bike), you do not have to pay a fee.
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
This wont make my wanderlust wish list, ewww. Thanks for the heads up.
Thanks for joining in with #wednesdaywanderlust too.
Ruth says
Ha, ha. I totally understand. The beach is nice though. Like I said, just stay away from the ship.
Andrea says
The beach is gorgeous but that is weird. I can’t imagine how bad is smelled with all the bird poo and sea lions. I’m sure there was a breeze to take it away 🙂
Ruth says
Andrea, the smell was horrific. Why do you think I ran away?
Shelley says
Good thing we don’t have smell-o-vision on our screens yet! But your photos make it interesting, and the beach looks nice. One of the weirdest things I’ve ever visited are the catacombs, beneath St. Stephens cathedral in Vienna, with thousands of skeletons from the black plague.
Ruth says
You are right. I am sure you would not like to smell the areas surrounding this ship. I visited the catacombs in Paris. Agree places like that are creepy.
Stella Lee@ Purfylle says
I think it’s nice there’s a haven for all those animals when so much of their habitat has been invaded by humans, it’s a little spot where the humans have given back to them. If they had the whole beach to themselves it would probably not smell so badly. Thanks for sharing your photos, I’ve never heard of a concrete ship before.
Ruth says
Agree with what you say (seen from that point of view). I think the ship serves as an artificial reef too. The Monterey Bay is a National Marine Sanctuary and the protection to all wildlife in there is high. That is why this area of California is full of dolphins, otters, seal lions, harbor seals and other creatures.
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo says
I love the way you wrote this, getting closer and closer. I also thought it was people on the ship at first. I can just imagine the smell but fascinating none the less!
Anda says
I’m surprised they didn’t remove the shipwreck from there. While it’s an amusement for the tourists, I think it posts a risk for those who might attempt to get on board.
Ruth says
Honestly, I do not know why is still there. Not sure if at the precise moment, it was a financial thing. Hope nobody gets hurt when trying to break the rules.
Kelly Del Valle says
Lol I’ve definitely gone to some stinky places for the sake of a photo! I find abandoned structures that are being reclaimed by nature to be really interesting – especially ones that have an interesting origin story. A warship turned dance hall? That’s pretty neat! Would make a great setting for a ghost story!
Ruth says
I have to admit the whole story behind this ship is pretty bizarre. I think that is why I wanted to visit. And, wait there is more. A twin concrete ship was built (SS Peralta). It serves as a breakwater somewhere in British Columbia.
bettyl - NZ says
Hmmm. That’s just strange to have such a boat at a family beach area. I can only assume that they thought it would become part of the sea as time went on. Your photos are really great but I truly don’t understand why it’s there.
Ruth says
Betty, I am with you. I do not understand why is still there. Maybe it has became a symbol of the area. It will be interesting to get the point of view of residents and authorities.
Corinne says
Ruth, I love a desolate ship, building, etc. I think it has character. I think it’s the smell that would deter me!
Ruth says
I am with you. When you visit abandoned places, you do not think about the negatives of the visit (even though there may be more negatives because of the state of the place).
Jill says
Looks like a very cool area. And a very unique concrete sea animal shelter. Thanks for the warning about the smell – will have to remember that!
Ruth says
Like I said in the post, it is cool in a twisted way. You have been warned about the smell!
Anna says
Well I guess not all shipwrecks can be attractive. There’s a beach in Greece with a shipwreck and it’s really popular (the good thing is that the wreck is from metal (so rust is the only issue here) and isn’t inhabited by a flock of birds!!
Have no idea though what I could consider the weirdest place I’ve ever visited!!
Ruth says
Yes, I have seen tons of photos of the shipwreck at Navagio Beach. This week a blogger posted photos oh him inside the wreck. I didn’t know it was allowed to get into the old ship.
Vlad says
I stared a lot at the first photos, trying to figure out if there were people or seagulls on the ship, haha. I hate it when historical sights are left to decay, I’ve seen it many times before 🙁
Ruth says
That is exactly the effect I wanted to create with the order I posted the photos. I know people where not going to imagine a concrete ship was down at the beach.
Paula McInerney says
Great read and pleased you did it for us. It took me a while to figure out the photos so I was engaged 🙂
Ruth says
Glad to know you liked it. I thought it was going to be interesting.
Muza-chan says
Great…
Ruth says
Thanks you. Good to see you here.
Linda Bibb says
If I could hazard a guess, the stench probably came from the sea lions. We took a boat trip around the tip of Baja California and were greeted by a godawful reek when our boat approached an island of the animals. They may be pretty, but omigosh how they stink!
Thanks for participating in #TheWeeklyPostcard, btw. 🙂
Ruth says
You are right. I have been to several places where there are a lot of sea lions and the smell is terrible. I like to see them but from a distance.
eileen g says
I wonder why they don’t just sink it and let it become a reef. How bizarre!
Ruth says
If we get into the details, it is technically sinked (but in shallow water). It is already an artificial reef.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
It took me a while to realize all the “people” on the boat in that 2nd photo from the cliffs are actually birds and sealions. Looks like they have quite a fertilizer factory going there. It smells just looking at it. I would not have expected something so strange at a place so benignly named “Seacliff State Beach.” The rest of the beach looks lovely, but I think your post will be the extent of my exploration of the Palo Alto.
Ruth says
Michelle, you are so funny by describing the inside of the ship as a fertilizer factory. But, the more I think about it, the more I agree.
Eileen says
Great series on this state beach and the ship. I think it is great that the birds and sea lions have a spot of their own, like a refuge. The beach looks beautiful though. Enjoy your day!
Ruth says
Yes, it is a great beach. I would like to camp in the area (near the water).
Jen says
Oh wow! There certainly are some interesting and wonderfully odd places in our world, aren’t there? I knew quite a bit about the Liberty ships built in the Bay area, but I’d never heard of the concrete ships. I’m glad that the ship has continued to have life but the smell. Ugh.
Thank you for joining us again for Photo Fiday!
Ruth says
Yes, a crazy idea (concrete ships) that actually saw the light of a day. Too bad they didn’t serve as expected.