The California State Parks website sheds light on what is 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." More can be found at: http://www.santacruzstateparks.org/parks/seacliff/ and http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=543