Cliff House Observatory
Probably the earliest structure to appear on the terrace, it first shows up in snapshots taken in 1912. The Observatory held a variety of telescopes for looking at the sea lions and passing ships, as well as binoculars that visitors could rent or purchase. It seems to have lasted until the Whitney Brothers remodel of 1949-1950 when it was demolished.

Cliff House Observatory

"Telescopes and Bausch & Lomb Zeiss Stereo Prism Binoculars"     (WNPCHP)
"FOR RENT AND FOR SALE"

ebay image
 

Observatory
Source: Marilyn Blaisdell copy negative

Ocean facing side of Cliff House Observatory

Courtesy of Frank Mitchell Collection
 

Aerial View

Aerial View
 

Pacific Sightseeing Company kiosk
Built 1915

Pacific Sightseeing Co   (WNPCHP)

This photo was taken circa 1936. Not sure what its use was at the time, but it has an ad in the window for a realtor.
"TO BELL HAVEN CITY AND STANFORD UNIVERSITY - David D. Bohannon REALTOR"

 

"OLIVE PAVILION AT THE CLIFF HOUSE, SAN FRANCISCO"
"WOOD-CURTIS CO., SOLE DISTRIBUTORS"
Postmarked Mar 28 1915 (reverse)
Image courtesy of Dennis O'Rorke
It's unclear what relation Caripo Olives had to what is generally called the "Pacific Sightseeing Company" kiosk.  Could this have been
the original function?  Or just a mocked up advertising image?

In 1937 the Whitneys moved the little building to the north end of the terrace near where the Tea House had once stood.
 

Camera Obscura / Giant Camera

Built 1949. Some web sites claim the building was built in 1947, but there are no photos showing the Camera before the Whitney’s remodeled the Cliff House in 1949-1950.  And NPS has plans for the Camera dated 1949 (see below).  Furthermore, it's also absent from this aerial map, dated 8/20/1948.  It appears to have been built contemporaneous with the remodeling of CH, rebuilt to look a Giant Camera in the late 1950s.

Courtesy of Frank Mitchell Collection

GIANT CAMERA

interior view

Aerial View
 

"Good For One Free Admission to the Giant Camera"
Courtesy of Frank Mitchell
 

The San Francisco Examiner - 08 June 1980
 

Plans from the GGNRA archive, March 23, 1949

Hot Dog Stand

Not too much is known about this building. It appears at the same time the Tea House was built in 1915, and then was torn down along with the Tea House in 1936-’37. It did have a name, though: Cherry Blossom Lunch, perhaps playing off the theme of the Japanese Tea House next door.