This restaurant was so wonderful. The place where the restaurant sits today has been the place where two other Cliff House's have sat. The other two were destroyed by fire. The second restaurant was during the turn of the century and was the epitome of Victorian culture and splendor. The ruins of the "baths" still sit today. Throughout the restaurant you will find old photos of the other two and the baths. The restaurant today boasts a modern decor with soft, sea colors such as white, aqua and tan. The entire west wall of the eating areas is lined with windows.

We sat by the window overlooking the bay during out meal. Make your reservation early to ensure a window seat, you will not be disappointed. Watching the waves hit the rocks was peaceful. You may even see a whale or dolphin which they say are seen often. It was rainy the day we visited, so we were not blessed to catch a glimpse. The menu is limited with a few choices of seafood, steak, and chicken and seemed to be pricey. We were there for lunch, so we chose the chef's choice. This was a preselected menu including soup, entree, and dessert. The soup was an artichoke puree with fried artichokes and truffel oil. Our entree was a tender steak grilled to medium with a red wine reduction sauce served with mixed greens and fingerling potatoes. The dessert was a decadent crème brûlée with a piece of almond brittle. A beautiful meal.

The service was first class with a waiter in eyes view at all times. Our glass was never empty and the plates were removed promptly. We arrived for lunch early, around 11:30, so the service and food preparation was quick. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a romantic evening out or just for a nice meal.

However, the food is not what makes the meal. It is the view. The historic Cliff House sits on its famous perch at the north end of Ocean Beach offering tourists and locals alike a warm and inviting respite from the cold ocean air--not to mention an ideal spot from which to view a sunset. While you are eating, you can enjoy a view of the Pacific Ocean or watch people on the beach.

Around for 140 years, the famous Cliff House survived both the turn-of-the-century fires at the neighboring Sutro Baths and the 1906 earthquake. The view is spectacular. Look carefully, and you'll see seals cavorting on the giant rocks below. Serving a Californian fare where it's common to order seafood, this is a fine dining restaurant.