Three times destroyed by fire, and three times rebuilt, the Cliff House
stands on a rocky promontory overlooking the Sundown Sea, where San
Francisco's beach is laved by the waves of the Ocean. Since the first
Cliff House was erected this has been a place famous the world over
because of its scenic beauty and its overlooking the Seal Rocks, where
congregate a large herd of sea lions disporting much to the edification
of the visitors. Appealing from its romantic surroundings, interesting
because of its history, and attractive through its combination of
dashing waves and beautiful beach extending miles in one direction, with
the rugged entrance to Golden Gate in the other, with the mysterious
Farallones in the dim distance, the Cliff House may well be classed as
one of the great Bohemian restaurants of San Francisco.
Lovers of the night life know it well for it is the destination of many
an automobile party. During the day its terraces are filled with
visitors from abroad who make this a part of their itinerary, and here,
as they drink in the wondrous beauty of the scene spread before them,
partake of well prepared and well served dishes such as made both the
Cliff House and San Francisco well and favorably known and whose fame is
not bounded by the continent.
But for a most pleasant visit to the Cliff House one should choose the
early morning hours, and go out when the air is blowing free and fresh
from the sea, the waves cresting with amber under the magic touch of the
easterly sun. Select a table next to one of the western windows and
order a breakfast that is served here better than any place we have
tried. This breakfast will consist of broiled breast of young turkey,
served with broiled Virginia ham with a side dish of corn fritters. When
you sit down to this after a brisk ride out through Golden Gate Park,
you have the great sauce, appetite, and with a pot of steaming coffee
whose aroma rises like the incense to the Sea Gods, you will feel that
while you have thought you had good breakfasts before this, you know
that now you are having the best of them all. Of course there are many
other good things to order if you like, but we have discovered nothing
that makes so complete a breakfast as this.