What Happened to the Cliff House in San Francisco?

Join Ken on a captivating journey through the history of San Francisco's iconic Cliff House. From its beginnings as a remote saloon in 1863 to its transformation into a high-end hotel and a witness to San Francisco's most dramatic events, the Cliff House is more than just a building. Discover its evolution through fires, earthquakes, and more in this enthralling episode of 'This House.' Learn about the Victorian 'Gingerbread Palace,' the majestic Sutro Baths, and the site's survival through the 1906 earthquake. Dive into the past and explore the mysteries and legends that surround this historic landmark.

The Cliff House was possibly the most iconic Victorian building to ever grace the Pacific Coast, but what happened to it? Find out in this short video

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Location: San Francisco, CA

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Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress, NPS, Justmerriam, Carleton E. Watkins
CC NY 2.5
CC BY-SA 3.0Photos from: Wikipedia User: Cullen328, Brocken Inaglory, Beyond My Ken
CC BY-SA 4.0 Photos from: Wikipedia User: Publichall, Gregory Varnum
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music from Epidemic Sound

[lauraridge-cosby]

The Cliff Houss is set to reopen in late 2024. When I was a kid, there was a room underneath the restaurant that had old carnival coin machines with dancing puppets, still frame motion shows, etc.

[susanevans]

The Cliff House was a charming old Victorian interior I was to meet someone there in 1983. For the price of a tea and the beautiful view, it was like a little bit of heaven. I felt as though I had stumbles onto a miracle. Such joy for nearly no cost! A treasure and a it was me sitting there. Thank you universe.

[anteeker]

I've always been fascinated by the Victorian version of Cliff House and how it seemed to defy gravity by perching on the edge of that rock cliff. I'm amazed it survived the earthquake!

[carolkingsafer]

My mother was actually a lifeguard at the Sutro baths back in the day. She was a first generation San Franciscan 👍

[DeanRussellHickey]

That was really well done. A full history in less than 5 minutes. I hope a new restaurant takes over such a nice building in such a rare location.

[wdjones]

The Cliff House was such a great landmark. I lived in the SF Bay Area for 30 years. They always had such a fantastic brunch in the downstairs part of the building. Had to go see Laughing Sal, the seals and a hike down to Ocean Beach. So much history in that little corner of San Fran!
Thanks for sharing👍🏻🙂

[dylanmachado]

Born in Willits; went to Sutro baths with father and grandfather in early 1950; was totally amazed at Playland and Cliff House. Now live in rural Brasil and so appreciate your time and effort to create this memory for me. Thanks!

[gro]

I remember the Sutro Baths fire. The smoke could be seen all over San Francisco. I lived just two miles east of the baths and remember how sad we were when the decision to tear it down was published. Thanks for bringing up a fond remembrance from a different era.

[Frostie-eg]

We lived just down the hill on Moraga. We'd walk up to Cliff House most Sundays for the champagne brunch. Delicious food and sumptuous desserts. Wonderful music from the pianist made dining so special. We always took visitors there. When we moved away, The Cliff House was one of the last treats we afforded ourselves. Still remember it fondly. Hope it gets reopened in grand fashion soon.

[mikeflair]

Caught a perfect sunset there as the big orange glow ball dropped directly into the water. Fine wine, good food, nice date, wonderful ambience, sea lions, seagulls, big rock water crash, Ocean Beach...some of the best times of my life.

[kathleenardrey]

Amazing how many times this Phoenix rose from the ashes. Spectacular site with such an intriguing story-still going onward!!Thanks, Ken!

[SpanishEclectic]

You've outdone yourself with this video, Ken. Terrific collection of photos, and your narrative is excellent! I'd like to mention again that my all time favorite photos of the Victorian Era Cliff House (which are available online) are from 1902; Buffalo Bill and the entire cast of his Wild West Show posed on horseback on the beach below Cliff House. I'm glad you are recovered from your accident, and enjoying your new home. Stay safe with all of the snow and storms. :)

[wellshutchins]

I have so many memories of going to the cliff house for dinner as a kid. In the 70s my wife and I would ride our motorcycle there, take a bottle of wine and a joint, sneak around the chain link fence and climb around the Sutro baths to watch the sunset. In the 90s my youngest son had a possible heart problem and we took him to the UCSF Medical Center for tests... he was OK. But we had promised him he could have anything he wanted for diner afterwards. He wanted lobster and I couldn't think of anyplace nicer to take him than to the Cliff House. It was like magic... although packed, there was one open parking spot right in front of the door. With no reservation we got a fantastic table with a panoramic view of the ocean. And then we were told they don't have lobster on the menu. Eleven year old Gavin would settle for nothing less. We drove 120 miles back home to Redwood Valley and the Broiler Steak House for the worst lobster ever served. We were too exhausted to complain and fortunately Gavin didn't know any better. BTW the Broiler has great steaks.

[vickiephilpitt]

Wow, what complete architectural differences in the building's "rebirths".

[MimiPierreBuddy]

The Cliff House has always been one of the loves of my life. As a teenager, we’d park above it in vacant land and listen to the seals and the sounds of crashing waves.

[chrishylton]

I had the honor to be selected on two occasions to represent my command at the annual Coast Guard Appreciation Luncheon. The staff treated us with respect, and seemed honestly happy to have us there. We also had a family dinner there in 2017 to celebrate my daughter's high school graduation, and everything was the same! The food, the service, the décor and the ambience was fantastic! I was saddened to hear that it had closed.

[bricoleurful]

Cliff House should definitely be saved and reopened. Love this place and important historical spot.

[melodymerritt]

Great channel! The Cliff House! I am from old family in San Francisco! My grandfather owned the second automobile right behind Mr. Sutro! But he had polio as a child so could not drive due to his legs being of uneven lengths. So my grandmother drove the car! They had courted at the Cliff House. On a sad note....my son died in San Francisco in 2010. but we had a memorial at the Cliff House in the Terrace Room where not only my grandparents courted, but my parents as well. (They also swam in the Sutra Baths in their dating days as well.) The memorial for my son was amazing as it was just by chance that a reservation for the Terrace Room had been canceled and the memorial could be held there. The Cliff House is a very special place!

[Porschedriver]

I visited the Cliff House around ~1995 with friends from Germany. Beautiful spot and was still “quite grand.” Our friends from Germany had traveled the world and were in awe of this spot.

[michellewilliams-tgqo]

Love the Cliff House area. Grew up about 15 blocks from it. Wish some will reopen it. Thank you for redoing the video.