Rebirth of S.F.'s 'Cliff House'

Among San Francisco's most storied destinations, the Cliff House, sitting atop the craggy bluffs and crashing Pacific Ocean waves at Lands End, is a true scenic wonder.

Travelers who visited the Bay Area during the 1950s and '60s will surely recall the inviting modern-looking postwar version of the Cliff House restaurant decked out with neon signage, though the origin of the Cliff House actually dates back to the Civil War era.

Since its debut in 1863, the Cliff House carried on a history lined with change—fires, re-designs, rebuilding, remodeling, property owners and restaurant names and operators. But it was two great fires, and the shutdown during Covid year 2020, that left the greatest impact on the structure as a continuous, lively San Francisco destination.

Well aware that the Cliff House had been vacant since the end of 2020, we followed with great interest the recent press announcements of its upcoming reopening slated for 2024. Late next year, following a significant remodel and a change in operator, a new Cliff House restaurant space is expected to debut.

Recently the National Park Service, the entity that has overseen the Cliff House property since acquiring it in 1977, announced that it has signed a 20-year lease with Sutro Lands End Partners, LLC.

"We are honored to have been entrusted by the United States Department of the Interior's National Park Service to serve as the stewards of this important landmark for the next generation," reads Sutro Lands End Partners' website. "Our goal is to make this beloved icon into a place that welcomes all San Franciscans and all those who love San Francisco."

Heading up the operation is San Francisco attorney Alexander Leff. To consult on the project, Leff brought in the Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group, based in San Francisco, a progressive team behind such eateries as the Madrigal and the Vault Steakhouse. Though details are still coming together, proposed plans signal featuring local farms, and a range of dining options.

Sutro Lands End Partners plans to host meetings to learn what types of food prospective diners would like to see at the new restaurant. Also on site is expected to be a cafe, retail shop, and an event space.