Perched on Point Lobos, waves banging at its base, Cliff Houserestaurant has always boasted some of San Francisco’s best realestate. But over time the 1909 building had taken on a dowdyair.
No more. Working with the National Park Service (the propertystewards), owner Dan Hountalas has transformed the landmark with an$18 million renovation. Now wide public terraces ― great forseal- and whale-watching this month through March ― sweeparound three sides of the Cliff House. The refurbished originalbuilding houses a bistro and to-go counter, and a new, ultramodernnorth wing encloses the posh and excellent Sutro’s restaurant.Feeling nostalgic for the way things were? Camera Obscura stillhunkers outside. Besides, the Cliff House’s main attraction hasn’tchanged: As Hountalas says, you can “stand out here, watch thewaves and fog, and never get bored.”
INFO: Cliff House Bistro ($$$) serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch;Cliff House ToGo ($) offers sandwiches and coffee; and Sutro’s ($$$$; reservations recommended) serves lunch and dinner.Parking is free along the street and in nearby lots. 1090 Point Lobos Ave., San Francisco; www.cliffhouse.com or415/386-3330.