Sutro Heights Restoration Plans Move Forward

by Ryder Miller

Awaiting funds, the United States National Park Service has drawn up plans to alter the Cliff House, improve interpretation at the former Sutro Bath site and move the NPS visitor center and the Musee Mechanique up the hill to the parking lot on Merry Way.

Carrie Strahan, NPS historical architect and project manager for the Cliff House project, said they plan to upgrade the facilities. Portions of the 1909 Cliff House structure will be kept and a new dining room reflecting 21st century architectural design will be constructed. Portions of the restaurant will be kept open during construction.

"Half will look like the 1909 structure," said Strahan. "The other like a modern structure. A demonstration of the old and the new."

Strahan said the NPS visitor center will be demolished because it is not structurally sound, the area becoming part of a new dining area for the Cliff House. The area where the Musee Mechanique presently is located will be turned into storage space for the Cliff House. The Camera Obscura will remain below the Cliff House.

The estimated cost is $13 million. Federal dollars will be contributed to the project.

"We are trying to secure funds," said Strahan who said the approval of federal funds have been held up for almost a year.

"It has been a plan for a hell of a long time," said NPS volunteer Sy Herstein. "As far as those plans go, it's always money."

The firm of C. David Robinson Architects is handling architectural duties. The point person is architect Mark Hulbert.

The visitor center and the Musee Mechanique will be moved above Louis' Restaurant to Merrie Way. Louis' will remain where it is. There is also a grant in the works for transportation improvements.

"The neighborhood was happy with the design," said Dan Hountalas, owner of the Cliff House. "We got a lot of neighborhood feedback. We'll do anything they like."

Hountalas, who has been at the Cliff House for almost 30 years, said 81 percent of the restaurant's business comes from local people. The Cliff House is one of the top 20 grossing restaurants in the country.

"It's an outing - good food and good liquor," said Hountalas. "We try to pretend we don't have a window. The view is extra."

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area will make greater efforts to interpret the Sutro Baths area. Strahan said Gulf of the Farallon Marine Sanctuary staff, who are celebrating their 20th Anniversary, will be involved in adding an element of marine education and interpretation to the new interpretation program.

The natural amenities of the area are hard to ignore. The area, including the former Sutro Baths, attracts both shore and ocean birds.

"The site is so rich in history, the challenge is to create an exhibit which educates people on both the value of the culture and the natural resource," said Strahan. "There are so many themes at the site that it will be exciting to put something together."

This is the third Cliff House at the rugged Pacific Ocean site. The original Cliff House Tavern was built in 1863, enlarged in 1868 and destroyed by fire in 1894. The second was opened in 1896 and destroyed by fire in 1907.

The third Cliff House, which has seen substantial additions, was built in 1909. The goal is to try to renovate the old design.

The work will be done in stages. The first phase focuses on the new restaurant. Phase two will build the new 9,000-square-foot visitor center. In phase three, the Sutro Baths area will be restored.

Sutro Baths opened as one of the world's largest indoor swimming pools, penny arcades, curio shops and museum in 1896. The baths were closed in 1964 and destroyed by fire in 1966.

By 1980, Sutro Heights Park, The Cliff House and Sutro Baths became part of GGNRA. Those involved are looking forward to the changes.

"It will spread it out and make it larger. More places for the busses. I think it will be better for everybody," said Hountalas.