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Ocean View, Cliff House
Perched on rocky cliffs over the Pacific Ocean, the three incarnations of the Cliff House have entertained and imperiled San Franciscans since 1863. In 1873 the first Cliff House was damaged but survived the explosion of the schooner, Parallel, filled with 42 tons of dynamite that floundered on the rocks beneath. The massive explosion was felt 15 miles away. When the Cliff House eventually burned down on Christmas day in 1894 a flamboyant, Victorian version was built to replace it. In 1907, that too was completely destroyed by fire, in less than two hours and was replaced with the current, recently remodeled version. Today, along with the delicious food diners can savor of the threat of impending disaster. Over the years the Cliff House has hosted U.S. Presidents Hayes, Grant, McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, and Taft.
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