One of the most unusual attractions in the Santa Cruz area rests at the end of the fishing pier at Seacliff State Beach*. The USS Palo Alto, one of only three cement ships built during World War I, has been a popular attraction for visitors since it was put in place in 1929. The plan was to turn the ship and the pier into an amusement and fishing ship. The Cal-Nevada Company quickly constructed a dance floor on the main deck, a cafe in the superstructure of the ship, a 4 foot heated swimming pool and a series of carnival type concessions on the aft-deck. Unfortunately, the Cal-Nevada Company went bankrupt after only two seasons, leaving the pier and the ship to be used today only for fishing.

*Please note that the Seacliff Pier is closed due to storm damage.