Cliff House, San Francisco

The Cliff House is a neoclassical building on a promontory north of Ocean Beach in San Francisco, United States. The concrete structure rises above the water facing Seal Rocks and the open Pacific, with large windows opening the view westward.

The first version opened in 1863 as a remote destination reached by wealthy residents after hours on horseback. The current concrete building was completed in 1909 after earlier wooden structures were destroyed by fires, remaining in operation until its closure in 2020.

The name refers to its position on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific, a landmark that has shaped local identity for over a century. Visitors recognize the building by its white facade and elevated setting, marking it as a visible reference point on the western edge of the city.

Access is by road leading to the western edge of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, with parking available nearby. The site sits on a windswept coast, so warm clothing is advisable even on sunny days.

The guest register recorded three United States presidents over the decades, along with members of well-known families such as the Hearsts, Stanfords, and Crockers. Several versions of the building existed in succession, with wooden predecessors each destroyed by fire until the current concrete form emerged.