Wonders of San Francisco #3: Cliff House and Ruins of Sutro Baths

Third in a series of poetry films on San Francisco. The Sutro Baths opened March 14, 1896 with a $1 million pricetag — an extravagant public bathhouse envisioned and developed by the eccentric one-time mayor of San Francisco, Adolph Sutro. The building housing the baths burned down in 1966 and was abandoned. The ruins may still be visited. The Cliff House, adjacent to the ruins of the Sutro Baths, is a famous San Francisco landmark. The first (1863) and second (1896) Cliff Houses burned to the ground. The current and third Cliff House was built in 1909 and has been recently remodeled. Many thanks to ASAngelo for lending two of his pieces to the film: "Song of the Phoenix" and "Nocturnal Valse Waltz C minor Sostenuto Largo," both available on YouTube.

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• history
• sutro
• baths
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[Orishanla]

@firehorsedude: I never thought of it, but I agree. I can see why it reminds you of Dark Shadows, a classic series.I hope you can make it back. It still remains one of those "unspoiled" wonders of San Francisco. It's also very eerie and special at night. I can't wait to do some night photography there.

[zephyros9]

I just biked up there this weekend and kept wondering, for the bazillionth time, why someone didn't rebuild the Cliff House in a Victorian style? The original is sooo much more amazing and beautiful than the horribly ugly late 60's concrete slab of a building they have there now. I mean, they didn't have to make it exactly the same size, but a victorian flavor would have been MUCH more suiting to that world class spot on our coast.

[Orishanla]

@zephyros9 I agree. It's a no-brainer. 

[Orishanla]

@joshtj44 "The baths struggled for years, mostly due to the very high operating and maintenance costs, and eventually closed. A fire destroyed the building in 1966 shortly after, while in the process of being demolished. The Sutro Bath ruins are open to the public, but a warning sign advises strict caution, as visitors have been swept off by large waves and drowned at the site." More info on Wikipedia.

[tylertyler82]

it comes off very eerie, a view of post apocalypse or "life after people." i like it!

[Orishanla]

@tylertyler82 Than you! It's one of my personal favorites. It was the perfect day for shooting it. Thanks to my friend Angelo for allowing me to use one of his original compositions for the soundtrack.

[firehorsedude]

I guess this section of beach I always have gone to while in the CITY, reminds me of the org. TV show , " DARK SHADOWS ". Love this area of San Francisco, CA. Great history and memories. It is a truely great place to go hiking. Have not been here since 2007 . I hope I can make it back this year.

[hedablinka]

Everybody does the same thing (including the park service): They show the north end of the building, and then show the site as it is, looking north across the site. The multi chambered concrete box was below the little victorian house like building that sat at the north end of the building.

Having said that, the time-against-time nature of the setting is very nicely caught in this beautifully haunting little video.

[joshtj44]

it was beautiful...I wonder why it came down.

[lulubutterfly24]

wow iv'e never knew that existed!

was that like the first water park!

man i wish they didn't have to burn it down,

i would have been cool to explore it if they made it a museum,

music is creepy =]