An Ode to the Cliff House

[@filmhowyalike]

Love that long exposure at sunset. And another great video, Joey. Thanks for taking such care with the city we all love. Come back soon, Cliff House! We’ll be waiting!

[@thenewlevi]

Thank you for always advocating for the people and businesses of San Francisco! A true ambassador

[@CharlieLiuPhotography]

I'm going to really miss that place. Thanks for the coverage.

[@gillynova]

Keep these videos up man! Love seeing Bay Area content out there on KZbin

[@randysavage5272]

The pictures of this place looked amazing back in the day.

[@RooGeorgia]

It’s painful to see your sad side! I too am heartbroken at these closures, and I really hope they come back. Another great video, thank you!

[@redlanterns]

Ive lived here all my life 65 years, and this deeply saddens me but i love your outlook and hope something is rebuilt there and love your idea of having musee mechanique back in the basement. We were there every weekend. Its just not the same at the wharf. Thanks for your videos and happy new year.

[@popoi47asca]

I’ve only ate here once..and outta all the news coverages and Instagram post..this video massively capture how heart broken I was when I saw the sign was taken down. This video gives the Cliff House a proper “till next time” vibes. Loving each video you post

[@jasontan2261]

I enjoy the way you compose the video footage, the emotive music and sincere commentary. Thanks Joey.

[@suecox2308]

I know tourists have loved the Cliff House but as a city resident it always always my go-to restaurant and, unlike a lot of places that cater to tourists, it made a real effort to provide delicious food and a positive experience in one of the most gorgeous places in the world. I've spent untold hours (and untold dollars!) in the Cliff House and appreciate it more than I can say. The National Park Service has done the city and its residents a real disservice by allowing it to fold. Thanks for the video farewell, and I look forward to seeing more of your work in 2021.

[@Kevindevin7]

I interned in SF last year and went to Louis with some intern friends for my birthday. It was awesome and we sat in the corner spot that had the best views of the water and Sutro Baths. It was an amazing time. The memory will always be in my head. When I was an intern I always said, when I got my return offer and made more money I’d visit the Cliff House. Now that’s not possible. I’m optimistic about the future and hopefully, nice, affordable restaurants will rent out in place of Louis and Cliff House. Though, this really hurts as the Sutro Baths/Lands End is my favorite place in all of SF.

[@thomasodonnell9221]

Have no fear, San Franciscans! No matter what, the Cliff House shall come back and so will the City. You have weathered many storms. I am already thinking of my next visit, with a nice meal in Chinatown, another in the Castro and then, the Richmond. How about watching the sunset at the Cliff House? San Francisco is the eternal phoenix.

[@smokeedinero]

You make some quality videos bro

[@djmixnmagic]

It's in too prime of a spot for someone to not swoop in, refurbish it, and breath new life back into it. Like a phoenix from the ashes, the Cliff House will rise again, bigger and better than ever. 🌅 🌊

[@BadChizzle]

Selfish of me, but I thought I was the only person who had strong feelings for these areas of SF. To me, it’s a Magic I can’t put into words… that has always called to me, in some beautifully haunting kind of way. I want to be standing on the weathered and sad foundation of the baths right now… and I couldn’t explain why. I do know this, though. You can’t tell me places don’t have a life force. Maybe it’s a small piece of all the people who have ever been there… or they pulse with a force of their own… but it’s there and very strong. Across all the miles between that beach area and where I am, I can hear/feel it calling me often. I may sound like a hopeless romantic, but please understand, the Cliff House spoke to me the first time I rode by in the back of a car, as my Dad drove us around SF, in the early 60s. My imagination flowing with sudden complex, spooky/mysterious ideas that hit me out of the blue. (I think inspiration calls this place home… and only visits when anywhere else.) Sorry, I lost myself in those feelings again! Thanks for the video.

[@liseh8324]

You have beautiful footage. It's sad that the Cliff House has closed. I wonder if it's next iteration will be a wedding venue, wine tasting, museum or some other tourist draw that also allows locals to enjoy its views?

[@lelandl8452]

Love all your videos. Surprised you don't have more views and subs.

[@abw48]

We used to go to Louis for the great Hot Dogs back in the 1980s when the City was a great place to live.

[@thedoneeye]

*sigh* fingers crossed.... Oh, BTW did you guys feel that 3.6 quake at 5:41 A.M. this morning?

[@wonderglory]

A wonderful lady has sent Rosie the Riveter post cards with letters to the San Francisco Chronicle, Cal-Mart, Appel & Dietrich Market and Standard 5 & 10 Ace. That way, she can get readers and customers to chip in whatever they can to save The Cliff House.

[@justinching1094]

nice vid! where'd you get your posters man?

[@notumbusbumbus3871]

I spent WEEKS of my life inside the Camera Obscura! Sad news, really sad.

[@wonhome2711]

Great last video of the year. When I had friends visit SF, the Cliff House was always the first stop of our tour. Thanks for your videos in 2020. Great memories of SF and why SF is so special. Maybe in 2021, you could shave your mustache.

[@catylynch7909]

Well put, Thomas O'Donnell. I have every faith that the Cliff House will be back. My understanding is that the couple who held the contract to manage it (for something like 20 years), was re-negotiating a new contract. The negotiations were with the federal government ... Department of the Interior ... because the Cliff House is on Golden Gate National Recreational Area property. That contract ran out at the end of 2020. I had the feeling that the announcement of the closure might have been a negotiating tactic to arouse a public reaction. I may be wrong on that, and there may be a greater "uprising," when all restaurants are in full swing, again. Also, new negotiations will be with a new administration (mercifully). Another "plus," is that VP Harris likely ate at there, during her days as District Attorney. Finally, I read that the couple who held the contract managed to get the legal rights to the name "The Cliff House." IF that's true, there must have been some fancy legal maneuvering, given that has been the establishment's name for many decades. And, they might be hoping for $$$$ for the sale of the name. The sign is the only thing that seems to have been taken away. I drive by it often, on my way to Safeway. The Cliff House will be back. Some neighbors, and I, are planning to resume our long walks out there, for a glass of wine, and a great view!

[@Zeyev]

Thanks again for great content and heart-felt emotion. To your statement that the Cliff House return, all I can add is "¡Ojalá!" - the Spanish-language appeal to Allah, or Halevai! - its Yiddish equivalent.

[@SleepingElephant]

Market is the market. No reason to pay high real estate prices with hardly any business.

[@tiny5500]

Downstairs you arcade ❤️💪❤️ Miss SF and I don't. Miss it as I remember not as it is. How about "it's Tops" 😞 Happy New Years All We all will make it if we make it so!

[@joadstein3042]

Shoulda talked about the hill bomb

[@bodybuilderslave7125]

I worked there as a temp in the 70's or 80s, don't remember what I did.

[@mmcclure1496]

The latest Cliff House was not worthy of the location. I hope they build something gigantic and epic

[@Shalaco]

Honestly think this story keeps gettin oversenstationalized. The managing companies lease was up anyways. Someone will refill the space once things get back to normalish