Cliff House by Kristopher Shinn

Cliff House

By Kristopher Shinn

The Cliff House was a restaurant, perched high above Ocean Beach and the Sutro Baths in San Francisco, CA. It was originally built in 1858, burnt down twice, went through many rebuilds and remodels, and ultimately shut down during the pandemic in 2020.

My family went through some very tough times in 2008, after my Dad passed. There weren't a lot things that could bring my Mom joy in the years that followed, but anytime I offered to take her out to brunch at the Cliff House, and explore the surrounding area afterwards, I knew it would make her happy.

In August of 2022, I made a trip to San Francisco to shoot some potential photo projects. Before my trip, I found someone with access to the Cliff House, and was lucky enough to get access, and take some photos.

Walking around the empty restaurant was a really special experience for me. So many of my heavy emotions and memories still exist in the space, even though the restaurant is gone.