Dry your tears: Cliff House is back! … or at least some iteration of it. Although the original eatery we once knew is not returning full-force, ABC 7 News said a new restaurant may soon be planting roots in the gorgeous, ocean-side building. For now, the National Parks service is on the lookout for a fresh team to take over the historic Point Lobos Avenue location.
“We are committed to maintaining the Cliff House building as a restaurant and public space," the National Parks Service’s Julian Espinoza said to the Chronicle in an email. "Since the start of this process, we have asserted our belief that the building belongs to the public — and not to any single group or commercial entity."
Sounds like we're getting a restaurant back into that space as early as this spring, but it may not carry on the "Cliff House" legacy. The previous owners, Dan and Mary Hountales, trademarked the name.
Generations of Bay Area locals were devastated when Cliff House initially announced its retirement last year. The iconic roof letters were taken down Dec. 31 after months of struggling to keep up with takeout orders once indoor dining shut down in March — much to the sadness of onlookers, surely reminiscing on past celebration dinners and childhood memories.
No plans are set in stone for what the former Cliff House building’s future holds, but if you’re looking to get your hands on a piece of the 157-year-old San Francisco landmark, now’s your chance. The previous owners are auctioning off the Cliff House's furnishings and memorabilia.
Looking for a bite in the meantime? Here's our guide to places open for Outdoor Dining.
