Seacliff real estate;Seacliff beach homes; Seacliff MLS

Seacliff beach Real Estate and history

Interesting history of Seacliff and it's real estate development

Interesting history of Seacliff and it's real estate development

Seacliff was another development that occured by the beach during the mid 1920’s, the more successful one was Rio Del Mar.Initially homeowners built their homes on the cliffs above Seacliff Beach as well as on the sand. The homes on the sand are called Las Olas. Today there are homes on the beach, homes on the bluffs, and many nice beach cottages in several areas of Seacliff

While most today cannot afford a Seacliff beach home, they can enjoy themselves on the beach in many of the affordable smaller homes.With Seacliff State beach where we all play, there are highly sought after RV sites. This site is only one of 2 places in California where RVer’s can set up right in a parking lot on a bluff on the beach. They can enjoy the sunsets, hear the waves crashing, and experience the beach in a way that not even hotel residents can.

In 1931, Seacliff State Beach Park became the one of the first state beaches in California. The beach itself is a very pretty stretch of sand between the ocean and the cliffs. The weather is foggier during the summer than most areas of Santa Cruz County, which does tend to make it cooler. The summer temperatures are in the mid 60’s-70’s and in the winter, the temperatures range from the mid 50’s to mid 60’s.

There are a couple festivals annually that occur at Seacliff. One is the Migration Festival held on the second Saturday in February. This festival is to celebrate the journey of so many different birds, animals, and water-life that migrate into and through the area. All ages are invited to the festival which is presented by the California State Parks. There are four sites: Natural Bridges, New Brighton State Beach and Seacliff State Beach, and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Parking is reasonable and is good for all day at any of the state parks or beaches. The festival includes educational booths, food, live music, crafts, and children’s games.

The other celebration is the Festival of the Cement Ship held annually on the first Saturday in June. For more information about the Cement Ship Festival, you can read about it here. Aptos also hosts a 4th of July parade that is billed as the “world’s shortest parade”. It covers only 2 city blocks and everyone turns out for it. There are dozens of floats and groups celebrating Independence Day and the Santa Cruz County community. There is also a 4th of July pancake breakfast and a party in the park (Aptos Village Park) after the parade.

Each year, the Monte Foundation hosts a fundraiser for schools and kids. Held on Seacliff beach, there are volleyball tournaments where kids play for scholarships. Other activities include: laser tag, dance troupes entertaining, a surf simulator, door prizes, and lots of food. In the evening, fireworks light up the sky.  There are some 50 schools, nonprofit agencies, and youth groups participating to earn a share of the profits raised. Generally, around $200,000 a year has been raised, for a total of over $2.5 million in the past 12 years. Cost is about $15 for kids over 5, and children 5 and younger are free. This is a great event for the community and many local schools benefit. The Monte Family owns the highly prized Deluxe Foods in Rio Del Mar.

Located below the bluffs, and comprising about 2 miles of beach, Seacliff is narrow and flat and is a great spot for playing on the beach as well as fishing off the infamous Seacliff pier. Besides the pier, the beach is known for camping, as a popular swimming spot, has an interpretive center, gift shop, as well as a visitors center with docent-led tours. Some interesting facts about Seacliff beach: there are 86 acres of coastal bluffs and seashore; about 2.6 million people visit each year; almost 35,000 people attended educational programs last year at the beach; and almost 2,000 local school children were served last year.  The Aptos history museum also hosts a Walking for History tour of Seacliff and Rio Del Mar beaches.

The homes that reside on the bluff have incredible ocean views. The homes on the west side tend to be older and some are smaller.   On the east side, the streets are wider and the homes are newer. In this area there is commercial development as well as Seacliff’s “downtown”. Homes in Seacliff range from the low $600,000’s to $2.5 million plus for prime ocean view places on the bluff and the cost can go much higher for homes on the sand. Condominiums range in price from $400,000 - $700,000.

Located at the end of the fishing pier is the U.S.S. Palo Alto, one of three concrete ships built during World War I.  World War I ended before the ship ever saw any service, so it was hauled to the Seacliff pier and sunk there. It became an amusement area complete with dance floor, a café, a heated pool, and a series of amusement park type concessions. However, after two seasons, the company that started the center became bankrupt due to the depression and had to close and strip the ship.

The Palo Alto became a launching point for fisherman after that.  After many serious storms, the ship became too dangerous for people and was fenced off permanently. Now, the ship has become an artificial reef to many different types of water-life: halibut, jacksmelt, perch, sole, flounder, mackerel, sea stars, barnacles, mussels, rock crabs, and kingfish. Birds, sea lions, as well as seals also make their home in and on the ship.

If you do not have an RV but would still like to stay in Seacliff, there is the Seacliff Best Western which is just a few minutes walk from Seacliff State Beach. Seacliff also has a church called: The Coastlands. To learn more about the history of the Aptos area and Seacliff, check out the Aptos Chamber of Commerce website.

With amazing views, incredible homes and real estate, and so much to do, Seacliff is an incredible place to call home! Call Gregg Camp to view homes in Seacliff at 831-818-7524

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Seacliff beach Real Estate and history

Interesting history of Seacliff and it's real estate development

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