Attractions
S.S. Palo Alto aka the Cement Ship
The S.S. Palo Alto is the most famous concrete ship on the west coast. This World War I era tanker was docked in the San Francisco Bay for a decade before it was moved to the Seacliff State Beach to be transformed into an amusement park. The ship had an arcade, dining room, dance hall, and swimming pool which residents could access by a long pier. Shortly after, the Great Depression and a vicious storm ravaged the ship, leaving it cracked in the ocean. Beachgoers can still see the ship today. Though the pier no longer connects to it, birds have made a safe haven out of the ship.
Cabrillo College
The only community college in Santa Cruz County, Cabrillo College is a prime spot to achieve higher education. Here, locals and commuters can earn associate degrees and certificates in many fields of study. Beyond providing high-quality education, Cabrillo sports a beautiful campus that overlooks Monterey Bay, and it sends more transfer students to UC Santa Cruz than any other college in the state.
Aptos Farmer’s Market
Way back in 1976, a few farmers began gathering their products to sell directly to the Aptos community. In the decades that followed, this tradition has blossomed into one of the largest farmer’s markets in Santa Cruz County. You can catch the Aptos Farmer’s Market every Sunday at Cabrillo College. With over 90 vendors, you can expect to complete a full grocery trip here, picking up items like artisanal bread, pastries, fresh produce, grass-fed meats, seafood, handcrafted cheeses, fresh pasta, and much more.
Aptos History Museum
If you want to get to know the community a bit better, a trip to the Aptos History Museum is in store. Through a series of exhibits, the museum tells the fascinating story of Aptos’ history, such as the story behind the concrete ship at Seacliff Beach. Many of the exhibits feature local artwork, photographs, and artifacts that can’t be found anywhere else.
