History of the

BEACH CHALET

If you are standing with your toes in the sand on Ocean Beach, or driving on Highway 101, look east towards Golden Gate Park and you will see the Beach Chalet. The Beach Chalet is a Spanish colonial revival style, historic landmark that has gone from gleaming eatery called the Golden Gate Park Chalet, built by Willis Polk in 1925, to Army headquarters to dangerous dive bar to now, a renovated upscale restaurant with unimpeded ocean views.

Frescos depicting real people and scenes from San Francisco in the 1930s were painted by Lucien Adolphe Labaudt in 1936 and line the first-floor walls. The Beach Chalet sits above the frescos, up a carved banister, with octopus, sea maidens and fish, to a second story with windows that span the entire bar and dining room. The view of the Pacific, and its glimmering sunsets, is amazing.

The Beach Chalet is City Landmark #179

& the PARK CHALET

Built much later and just a few steps behind the Beach Chalet is our Park Chalet. Here, travelers, neighbors and city goers have the option of a little more relaxed vibe with indoor and outdoor seating.

The Park Chalet menu features classic coastal eats including our delicious Clam Chowder and Riptide Ale Fish & Chips. We serve flavorful sandwiches and we grill fantastic juicy burgers. The menu offers an array of appetizers that provide something for everyone.

Park Chalet's full bar offers award winning house brewed beers, a great wine list and colorful, tasty cocktails. The Park features lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

The Park interior is light and airy. Large glass doors open during beautiful weather to bring the outdoors in. Though we are located on the edge of the city, the Park is an unparalleled urban escape just steps from Golden Gate Park and the awesome Pacific coastline. A massive stone fireplace, glass ceiling (yes, it is all glass) and a chill, square bar merge with the atmosphere creating a cool place to relax and recharge.

Whether you are a Big Kahuna or a grommet, a short or long boarder, a regular or goofy foot or simply a soul who appreciates our beautiful park and ocean…

JOIN US WHERE THE SURF MEETS THE TURF!

COME ON IN FOR FRESH SEAFOOD OR A DELICIOUS BURGER.

Historical WPA Frescos

During the Great Depression, the Federal Art Project, a division of the Work Progress Administrations (WPA), put many artists to work by commissioning murals across the city. Generally, these murals depict the everyday life of idealized workers and everyday people, however, the fresco murals on the first floor of the Beach Chalet on the west end of the park are unique in that they show specific, important San Francisco figures of the time, including Park Superintendent John McLaren. Painted in, the frescos were done in the traditional wet plaster technique by the artist Lucien Labuadt, assisted by Arnold Bray, Farrell Dwyer, and the plaster, James Wyatt.

The murals are located below the Beach Chalet. Open daily to the public.