Perched on the bluffs above Seacliff State Beach, Seacliff straddles either side of State Park Drive off Highway 1 in Aptos. As you approach the entrance to Seacliff State Beach, you arrive at the corners of State Park and Seacliff Dr./Center Ave. where you will find a handful of quaint shops, local restaurants, and a convenience store.

Seacliff neighborhoods run north and south of this corner and generally offer smaller homes on modest lots within walking distance to the beach. Homes on the bluffs look over the Monterey Bay, and views on clear days extend from the northern tip of Santa Cruz' Lighthouse Point to the southern tip at Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove.

Seacliff State Beach is home to the Cement Ship, as locals call it. According to docents of the park, the Seascape Amusement Company purchased the SS Palo Alto from the US Naval Shipyard in 1929. In 1930, the “concrete” ship was towed to its present location with the idea of turning the ship into an amusement and fishing ship. A pier from Seacliff Beach to the ship was constructed and “the Amusement Ship” was christened in the summer of 1930. Two years later the Seacliff Amusement Co. fell upon hard times, the ship was closed and her decks stripped, leaving the pier and ship to fishermen.

For those looking for beach cottages and bungalows in quiet neighborhoods within easy walking to shops, restaurants and the beach, Seacliff is top on our list. Contact Kim Floyd for a private tour of the best beach values on the market.

Useful links

• Santa Cruz State Parks: Seacliff
• Search for Homes in Seacliff Beach
• Beach Mileage Chart (Walking distances between beaches)

View Larger Map

Fireworks display at the 2009 Monte Foundation Event ar Seacliff State Beach on Oct. 2. Photograph copyright(c) Michael Floyd, 2009.