After much speculation about its future naming rights, San Francisco's beloved Cliff House will retain its iconic name when it finally reopens. The historical oceanfront landmark, closed since 2020, will come under the stewardship of the Western Neighborhoods Project, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the history of western San Francisco. In a generous move, Dan and Mary Hountalas, the previous operators, have donated the Cliff House trademarks – including domains, social media accounts, and even original recipes – to this nonprofit, according to the SF Chronicle.
In a decision that underscores their commitment to preserving the history of the site, the Hountalases, both long-time members of the Western Neighborhoods Project, have ensured that this local gem's legacy continues. "We wanted to make sure somebody who cares about the history of San Francisco, the history of Lands End and the story of that marvelous building would be the ones that would take charge," Mary Hountalas told the SF Chronicle. The Western Neighborhoods Project and the new lessee, lawyer Alexander Leff, are set to discuss a licensing agreement for the use of the name for the dining establishment.
The road to reopening the Cliff House has been fraught with delays and climbing costs, with the budget doubling from an initial $10 million to at least $20 million. Expected to reopen its doors in late 2026, Leff's vision for the Cliff House includes four distinct dining spaces, catering to a range of tastes and budgets. While specific names of the restaurants have not been disclosed, the offerings are said to range from family-friendly to more upscale seafood dining, alongside a coffee shop, according to SFGATE.
Part of the restoration effort involves returning the historic Cliff House sign to its prominent position atop the building. The partnership between Leff and the Western Neighborhoods Project aims to not only revive the building's physical structure but also its culinary legacy. "We’re very excited because this will stop a longtime cycle of private concessioners taking ownership of this space and doing whatever they want with it," Nicole Meldahl, executive director of the Western Neighborhoods Project, explained to SFGATE.
