What Happened to the Cliff House in San Francisco?
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- čas přidán 29. 01. 2024
- 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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Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress, NPS, Justmerriam, Carleton E. Watkins
CC NY 2.5(creativecommons.org/licenses/...
CC BY-SA 3.0(creativecommons.org/licenses/... from: Wikipedia User: Cullen328, Brocken Inaglory, Beyond My Ken
CC BY-SA 4.0(creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Photos from: Wikipedia User: Publichall, Gregory Varnum
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Check our the full beach video featuring the Cliff House we showed in the beginning of the video on our 2nd channel: czcams.com/video/08NuHpIKFS4/video.html
The Cliff House is also famous for its camera obscura.
@@freedomforever6718 The Camera Obscura is a separate entity. To my knowledge, based on decades in the Bay Area, it is unrelated. It’s a separate commercial entity. Of course, I have never looked at the business license or founding documents, but I think the Camera was created as a separate tourist attraction along with other commercial establishments along the shoreline.
@@jenelleprins5306
You couldn't be more wrong. You walk out the back door of the Cliff House and there is the Camera Obscura.
This link doesn't link to the second channel, it just plays the same video.
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.
I was a kid then too and a native San Franciscan. I loved the Tom Thumb artifacts and the whole Cliff House experience. Glad to hear it’s going to reopen.
Muse Mechanique! Spent a good part of the Summer of ‘89 down there.
Apparently a lot of those machines have been moved over to somewhere near Fisherman’s wharf.
@@shennashepard6750 My understanding is that they were lost in the fire.
It's a fun place to go. Great view of the ocean
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!
I suspect that earthquakes release most of their energy on or very near to the fault line.
It survived the earthquake with minimal damage because it sat on solid Rock.
My mother was actually a lifeguard at the Sutro baths back in the day. She was a first generation San Franciscan 👍
I used to ice skate at sutro's. I was at playland the day it burned. We walked up the road and watched an iconic landmark burn. I miss all of that.
Carol, I bet your Mum has a tale to tell. I went to the Sutro Bath house and I always was fascinated by it. It saddened me when it was distroyed.
That is a sad sight. But....I loved playland that huge slide and the laughing lady.@@PaulHarris-sl1ct
@@waynefoote3781 the smell of those burlap bags for the slide is something that I will never forget. I was the last one on the spinning disc many times. I remember all the kids yelling " stand up"
NICE! Thank you for that man! My dad...on that slide was like DON'T DON'T put your hands on the sides and of course I did and My dad saved my hands and burnt his I will never forget that it left a bump on his thumb saving mine! thank you dear ol DAD! may he remain Eternal in Heaven.@@PaulHarris-sl1ct
Wow, what complete architectural differences in the building's "rebirths".
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👍🏻🙂
lived in the Bay Area for 40 years. I can remember as a kid driving past that building, but didn't get to eat there. Parents would say that it was for "rich people".
Laughing Sal is still laughing today on the boardwalk in Santa Cruz. 😊😂😊
You mean the laughing lady?
They had the best crab omelet in the world.
No one who ever lived in the bay area ever called San Francisco San fran.
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.
I used to ice skate there. It was so cool because you had to walk through the museum to get to the rink. On stormy nights you could hear the ocean beating against the wall
I was at playland the day of the fire. We came out of the fun house to see the smoke and walked up the hill and watched from as close as the sffd would allow.
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.
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. :)
Thank you for your kind words! I'll have to look for those pictures! I remember seeing one with the cast hanging on the wall of a coffee shop not too far from Cliff House maybe 10 ish years ago.
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.
I loved walking down there too. But most times I needed ear muffs the wind was so bad.
@@Karelife Oh yes. The wind - especially in winter - could be brutal.
Who remembers Louis' diner right there next to the old cliff house? Was a great spot to grab some food and enjoy the view.
One of my favorite places to grab a bite,would always want a booth overlooking the water
So did I...great memory...
I Remember Louis also . Worked there also.
Between highschool and the navy I lived at 1522 great highway. I used to walk up the beach to Louis' for breakfast. I remember Louis' when it was yellow tile and line oleum and had a long counter.
Louis was open till…2018? Great place! Should never have closed!
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!
I so miss the Cliff house! The Cliff House is a iconic part of life in the bay area for some of it. Our Easter holiday was the Cliff house every year. A tradition died when it closed. 😢
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.
Amazing how many times this Phoenix rose from the ashes. Spectacular site with such an intriguing story-still going onward!!Thanks, Ken!
Had a champagne brunch there in 1997. Beautiful location, fascinating interior and wonderful food.
I had a great breakfast with my grandmother and cousins at the Cliff house in the 60’s. It was so fun and special food. I will never forget it!
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.
Love the Cliff House area. Grew up about 15 blocks from it. Wish some will reopen it. Thank you for redoing the video.
Great video!!! Keep them coming. San Francisco should not let anything happen to the Cliff House, it is part of its history.
I hoping that it will reopen and stay open. As a native San Franciscan, I treasure this place.
That area is a great place to walk around, look out for crazy drivers... When I was really young there was an amusement park "Playland-at-the-Beach" just south of Cliff House. Thanks for your time and posting.
❤❤❤
With all its rebuilds, you could do a series of each reincarnation of the property! There is so much to unpack here!
Hubby and I had dinner there in March of 2020… we were the only ones there. We sat overlooking the ocean in a pub type room. Food was yummy! Less than a week later the world closed. I didn’t realize Cliff House hadn’t reopened… we have a trip planned to SF in May, and had hoped to visit there again.
As a resident of the Richmond district, in San Francisco, I very much miss having the Cliff House available for lunch, dinner ... or just a glass of wine, after a long walk. Also, I'm curious how the last couple to manage the facility was able to legally secure the rights to the name "The Cliff House." While it was closed during the pandemic, the letters were removed from the roof, and I've heard that they have the right to charge considerable money to "sell" it. That has been the name of the building as far back as I can remember (which is a LONG time. 😄
Great update. What an unfortunate history for such an amazing place.
It's history kind of makes me wonder if someone/ something isn't trying to tell us that this building just isn't meant to stay standing! I am not able to comment without piggybacking off of others comments lately. This isn't the only site where I am experiencing this. Wish I knew why!
@@megfuchs9425it’s a case of Great Minds think alike!
I’ve bn to the Cliff House many times …GREAT EXPERIENCE ALWAYS. For dinner or just to visit!!!❤
Went to the Cliff House for dinner in the early 80s more than a few times… it was THE BEST! So much history EVERYWHERE you looked! Moved, and went back in the 2000s- unrecognizable. Sterile and industrial and a lousy menu. Hope they figure out a way to make it great again!
HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO BET THAT IT IS NOT GOING TO CATCH FIRE AGAIN ?
Exactly what I thought 😮Nothing else matters…
Been there many times in the 80's. Nothing but great memories of a truly majestic location and facility.
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.
I worked at the Cliff House in the late 80s early 90s as a Sous Chef. An amazing Restaurant and beautiful building.
It has been more than a landmark. I took my brother there for his birthday some 30 some odd years ago after being introduced by a boyfriend at the time. I love seal rock, and the cliff houses iconic history. Thank you for this small journey through it's history.
After high school I moved to San Francisco with my best friend & she & her boyfriend took me out to dinner at the Cliff House & it was amazing! Everything was special, the food, wine, & ambiance combined with the ocean & seals made it an unforgettable night out!
I went to the Cliff House when I was visiting San Francisco in 2018. A friend recommended I go there. I did not know anything about the history of the building, or the location. Looking at this video, I see many of the ruins of previous buildings there, that I have pictures of still, but didn’t know what their significance was. This video explained a lot. Thank you.
I was there in 1958, had a nice burger combo while watching the seals.
I have wonderful memories of the Cliff House, after I graduated from Art School that’s where we went to celebrate! I always took my friends there to see the Ocean view & Sea Lions. Does anyone remember the Giant Camera just below the restaurant on the lower level? That was very cool!
Camera Obscura 🪩 ▫️ ⚫️
😊
That camera was Awesome!
Growing up in the 1970s here, this was a frequent stop for us on weekends in the City. ❤
I used to be a caregiver to a man with Alzheimer's who was born and raised in San Francisco. He would often say to me, "I'm going to take you out to dinner someday because you're so good to me. Anywhere you'd like to go!" I'd say, "I've always wanted to go to the Cliff House. Can we go there?" And he'd say, "Oh, I don't know if we could go there!." I'd smile to myself, knowing we never would, but I always figured someday when I was in San Francisco, I'd make time to go with my husband. We were often in San Francisco when our kids were little, and I've been past the Cliff House many times. Dining there was loosely on my bucket list. When it closed during the pandemic, I was so disappointed I'd never have the opportunity. I feel like I missed experiencing a piece of history. I sure hope it reopens someday.
Unfortunate fate of a historical place! Repeatedly happening , maybe some bad luck following the place
Some of my favorite memories were taking my great grandmother to the Cliff House for lunch or being there with friends. I have a piece of tourist artwork sold in the late 1800s in my living room.
When I was a kid growing up in the 50s, my folks would always take us to the "Playland." I would always try to get them to go to the "Cliff House" . I was there and saw the swimming pool. As a kid, I didn't like it.
Hi Ken -what I would really like to see more of are the mansions and Beautiful Homes we have out here in California and on the west coast
-so that would be my request for future videos
- thank you very much -I enjoyed this one a lot
I agree.
More to come!
I used to live blocks away from the cliff house. Back in the 90s, I remember exploring the ruins of sutro baths and finding lots of little bits of colored sea glass from what used to be the stain glass windows there. Such a cool area!
So interesting Ken and YES please select a few more for remaking...having seen the first, this effort is an great expansion. I particularly love the photo of the steaming belching smoke as it passes by the Cliff House. I had no idea it closed in 2020 and remains shuttered, just a waste what was done to this country during the Covid-era.
More Cliff House! We live just up the highway and always went there for special occasions ❤
Thank You for sharing this. I ate there once with my father, sister + step mother in the late 1980's.... possibly early 90's. A very grand + unforgettable experience, indeed.
We love you Ken!!
Cheers!
Lived in Sacramento for 4 yrs. We only visited SF cpl times...stumbled in here once....am so glad we did
I had one of the best meals at the cliff house in 1969. Good memories.
The Cliff House in the 80's was a great place to take a date. Overpriced mediocre food but great drinks and a wonderful view.
I had the pleasure of visiting the Cliff House years ago. Sad that it may be over.
I officiated a wedding at the Cliff House in the late 1990s. It was a surprise wedding - none of the attendees, except, of course, for the couple and me, knew there would be a wedding taking place that day. It was awesome!
We went here everyday after school! It was a meet up spot for us kids. Especially on the weekend. I never knew the full history of the Cliff House but it seems like the fire in 1907 after the earthquake, was intentionally set. Since the earthquake took the majority of the city. It was probably Loathed that this level of Wealth was still standing. This was a great memory 💛 and awesome Video. Thank you
Very interesting. I could listen to you speak about houses and their history way past five minutes. Cliff House is so interesting partly due to all the disasters. Love seeing the postcards and photos.
Great update. I'm new so I didn't know you had done it prior to this. I'm sorry about your wreck. It looks like a bad one! Leaves you shaken for sure.
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.
thank you for this. my family has been in sf since mid 1800s and my father would tell me about swimming at the baths and when i was a child in the 50s i learned to ice state there. my nana would tell me about the 1906 earthquake. i have lovely memories of walking around the sutro gardens. 8 years ago i moved to missouri but sf is/was my home. so sad to see what has happened to it. thanks for resurrecting some lovely memories for me.
I grew up in Marin County, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. My parents often took my siblings and myself on day trips to Playland At The Beach and the Cliff House. Both places were so much fun, and interesting as well. When I was in college, I was saddened by the news that Playland was closing. Still, the Cliff house stood strong, serving tasty meals with fabulous ocean views and hosting a little museum containing exhibits re the building’s past elegance and popularity. It’s sad to think the latest version of the Cliff House sits empty, awaiting decisions, permits and investment.
No, be sad no longer, for the cliff house has been given a 20 yr lease & new restaurant will open sometime in 2024 🥰 🤍
We would come here from Oakland and first stop in Golden Gate Park then go to the beach or Playland then end up at The Cliff House for dinner. I remember being enthralled with the Tom Thumb display cuz he was so small. Great times!! The thing is us younger kids didn’t care for fish so always had hamburgers. Thanks so much for this video. Amazing work and research. The photos are so memorable due to mom and dad having many books on California history and the early Bay Area. I forgot to reel everyone mom used to swim at Sutro Bathes in a blue wool bathing suit in the 1940’s
I had dinner there in 1992. Joe Dimaggio was there that night.
Thank you so much, I loved going there for dinner and always wanted to know more about its history!
What a nice surprise the Cliff House❤ When i was somewhere berween 7 and 9 years old, I had my First Holy Communion..and when the event was over I said "can't we go get some coffee or something " . LOL I apparently had been to the Cliff House before and remembered it and my parents drinking coffee...Little did i know but my parents had made a reservation for that day❤ That was back around 1959❗️🙃
I'd absolutely LOVE to visit the Cliff House!
I truly wish it reopens 🎉❤
In the 70's my wife and I used to love to go to the Cliff House around sunset and have steamed clams & beers for a couple of hours. We would tell the waiter to keep bringing clams until we said to stop. Great times.
Having visited the area over 35 years ago, I enjoyed the photos of the cliff house and the baths from their heyday. Hopefully, the house won't remain closed much longer because it will only decay if not used.
Used to be such a lively little area there. Kinda dead now with exception of the hiking paths.
I loved The Cliff House!!! So many sea lions!!! It was so cool!❤
Thank you 🙏
My last visit to the Cliff House was 2015. It still has the fabulous views, but the interior was more like the old diner. I have been wanting to return, but covid stopped that.
Yes please. It's stunning!! What an amazing history. I'd really love to hear the first hand stories, like who was suspected for starting the fire? Just different rumours and theories would be riveting for me. What a history...😁☺️ Thanks for posting to all involved.
I have posters pictures of the sutro baths building and pool, really neat pictures I have had for about 40 years
Love love love 💕
I sure wish I could time travel & book a room in the "Gingerbread Palace"! What a place it must have been. Well done. Thanks again great video. ❤
I have just the best memories of my Grandfather taking us all to lunch at the Cliff House. The views are fabulous. I was their with a friend, for lunch a few years ago. It wasn't the same but I'm glad we were there. Still beautiful and lovely views.
This was so interesting! Thank you so much for putting this together!
My Aunt Isobell Sharpe took me to The Cliff House one afternoon, back in the early 1970s. I remember there were a number of slot machines in the entrance way or a hallway and I think we had lunch there, but now I can't be certain.It was so many years ago. But definitely an interesting place in a fascinating location.
Very interesting any pictures of the inside for the various incarnations
There are very few interior photos, unfortunately.
What a magnificent building it was! How sad it stood for such a short time before being consumed by fire. I have seen pictures of the distinctive structure before, but didn't know much of its history. Thanks for remaking this video and adding to the story!
Great video, saw the original one as well! That shot of the city after the earthquake is incredible! Thanks for sharing!
I've never heard of the sutro baths but that would've been an impressive excursion!
Thanks for reminding us of sight's like this
..... I was married on Feb.14th, 1989 at SF City Hall when they still had wedding ceremonies there The reception after the justice of the peace/marriage certificate signing at city hall was held at Cliff House. It was a beautiful day & the reception room overlooked the ocean. Musta had about 75 people there & must have cost a small fortune (my new father-in-law, who was an accounting head for Standard Oil offices in SF's financial dist., picked up the tab) It was a bit of a surprise to me, I had no idea the reception was in the works. But I can say I know how well the Cliff House could do up a party if you can pay for it. There's no way I could top that one.
Withstood the earthquake, nice! Thanks for your work! A fan in Minnesota, USA
Ken...could we see some more historical houses in San Francisco?? possibly New Orleans and Richmond as well??.....
Nice to know about the history of the Cliff House. Sad to hear about the fires and how its previous historical structures were completely destroyed. I liked the 7-story Victorian building but at least there are photos to see what It looked like. It even seems like those fires were intentionally set. Thank you Ken. Love your stories about by-gone eras and their historical structures.
Was born and raised there. My mom owned a bar on El Camino and it had pictures of the old cliff house
OMG. I can’t wait Ken. I loved this place as a child in the ‘ 60’s!!
I would have loved to seen it rebuilt to it's original glory of 1896. Thank you for the interesting history of this beautiful place.
Dined there several times years ago with clients. Lovely restaurant overlooking the Pacific...lots of playful sea lions.
We always made it a point to dine at The Cliff House when visiting San Francisco. We no longer go to San Francisco anymore (can't imagine why) but we do have some great memories...
The old "penny" Arcade machines were amazing. It was like going back in a Time Machine
I’m fifth generation, pioneer family to California in Lafayette the Cliff House restaurant we actually went out to when I was a child and I was at a auction and bought a lamp from the Cliff House restaurant. I’m so glad to see somebody remembered it thank you. And yes, do another video would be wonderful.
I have never seen anything about this place. I have seen some old photos of the earthquake. I live in KY. and have stayed mostly this side of the Mississippi all my life,except for a trip to Germany years ago. Even in school we never studied much about California,we knew about the gold rush,we saw movies ,of course those were glamorized so much especially in the 50s and 60s. So thanks so much for the education,looked like a very interesting place. It really makes it real how things have changed over the decades of my life. Things I have missed,or never knew. Eye opening things. Tell me more.
This place was very alluring and romantic. They need to bring it back.
Need to remake this video again with more details as to why the fires started. Sounds fishy given the appetite to rebuild every time
Really enjoyed your series!!! Thank you!!!
My parents swam at Sutro pools, I brought a date to the cliff house in 1979, the food was so-so but the interior furnishings and especially the ceiling, which was copper was gorgeous along with the many pictures of the early days in its heyday.
This video makes me homesick! My father's church was in SF, and I attended USF so I have fond memories of the Bay Area. I can only imagine what San Francisco looks like with all of the homeless living on the streets. SAD!
Dang.. that's a great story in resilience
I feel I’m lucky enough to remember going into the cliff house then making my way over to the Sutro Building. I think they were connected? Maybe? But I remember everything about the ice rink, the shops, the museum and looking into the bath area. I’m so lucky to have that memory. I wish the National Park service / or a rich donor would build a new enjoyable facility where the sutro building once stood and again incorporate it into a new Cliff House building so locals and visitors can enjoy an exhibition area with cafes, and enjoy the Golden Gate and Pacific Ocean Views. SF is a very wealthy city surrounded by hundreds of mega wealthy residents of the Bay Area. It would be a sweet gesture to give back that iconic aspect of San Francisco once again. The jobs it could provide would be helpful to the local area.
awesome documentary thank you