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THE
FIRST CLIFF HOUSE.
The first Cliff House was a modest structure built in 1863 by
Masters Butler and Buckley. The guest register bore the names of
three U.S. Presidents as well as prominent San Francisco
families such as the Hearst's, Stanford's and Crocker's who
would drive their carriages out to Ocean Beach for horse racing
and recreation. In 1881, the Cliff House was sold to Adolph
Sutro, a self made millionaire, philanthropist and later, mayor
of San Francisco. Seven years later, Sutro built a railroad to
bring the general public to this seaside attraction. On
Christmas Day 1894, the Cliff House was destroyed by fire
THE
SECOND CLIFF HOUSE.
Sutro spent $50,000 in 1896 to rebuild the Cliff House in grandiose style.
Fashioned after a French Chateau, the second Cliff House boasted 8 stories, spires and an
observation tower two hundred feet above sea level. Though never a hotel, it served as an
elegant site for dining, dancing and entertainment. On the third floor were a photo
gallery, reception room, parlors and panoramic views from its large windows. The second
floor held 20 private lunch rooms, a large art gallery and a gem exhibit. At ground level,
there was a large dining room, parlor, bar, numerous private dining rooms and kitchens.
This was the most resplendent and beloved of all the Cliff Houses but it was short lived.
This exquisite building survived the 1906 earthquake only to succumb to a raging fire the
following year.
THE
THIRD CLIFF HOUSE.
A third Cliff House was built in 1909 by Sutro's daughter Emma. It was neoclassic
in design and carried on the tradition of sumptuous dining. The Depression and two world
wars took their toll on the area however, and the Sutro family sold the Cliff House in
1952 to George Whitney. The Cliff House was remodeled several times before the National
Park Service acquired it in 1977. Today the Cliff House is preserved as part of the Golden
Gate National Recreation Area. |
