Rebirth of S.F.'s 'Cliff House' - Page 2

"We want to be inspired by your memories of the Cliff House and your dreams for its future," the new operators announced via their newly launched Cliff House Future website, a place where the public can share ideas for the future spaces.

Looking back over the past 160 years, it was those two devastating fires that took the greatest toll on the Cliff House.

In 1863, the very first Cliff House, a simple wood-frame structure that looked out over the Seal Rock, was built as an exclusive resort. Philanthropist and former San Francisco mayor, Adolph Sutro, who had been eyeing the area from his estate above the Cliff House, purchased the property from the original owners in 1881.

But on Christmas Day 1894, a fire destroyed the original building. In its place, Sutro designed a grand, eight-story Victorian castle atop Sutro Heights, opening the doors of this second Cliff House in 1896. Just north of the restaurant, he built the famous Sutro Baths.

People came from miles around to experience these faraway 'pleasure grounds,' some arriving by train, others by horse and buggy. Although this spectacular piece of architecture survived San Francisco's 1906 earthquake, it was leveled by fire the following year.

The third Cliff House, and the one that most of us are familiar with, was built in 1909. Commissioned by Sutro's daughter following her father's death in 1898, architects Reid & Reid designed a neo-classical version of the Cliff House out of fireproof concrete.

George and Leo Whitney, the owners of the nearby Playland-at-the-Beach amusement park, purchased this Cliff House in 1937, and in the 1940s and '50s extensively remodeled it with 'American roadhouse' flair. From 1955 to 1966, visitors could soar above the ocean aboard a 'Sky Tram,' from a balcony of the Cliff House past Sutro Baths to a nearby promontory.

It's uncertain whether or not the reborn Cliff House will actually be able to maintain the 'Cliff House' name. When the building's massive signage was removed at the end 2020, the move triggered speculation about ownership and usage of the name. Time will tell.

We look forward to the Cliff House's 21st-century rebirth, and sincerely hope that the new eatery that emerges, guided by NPS standards, will preserve the enduring spirit of this classic landmark—and its original name too. It deserves nothing less.