The hermit may be living in a mysterious house made of driftwood perched precariously on the cliffside of Devil’s Slide on the Pacific Coast Highway – as officials say, “we know someone is there but We don’t know who it is.”
- The dilapidated three-story structure was first spotted on the edge of a dangerous cliff at Devil’s Slide by a drone in December 2022.
- A local land expert said he believed a man lived on the property, and had for at least ten years.
- Do you know who lives in the house? Email newsUS@dailymail.com
A hermit may be living in a mysterious house made of driftwood perched precariously on the side of rocky cliffs near California Bay.
The dilapidated three-story structure was first spotted on the edge of a dangerous cliff at Devil’s Slide, Pacifica, a 30-minute drive from San Francisco, by a drone in December 2022 – but it is believed to have been there for at least ten years.
The property appears to have been constructed of driftwood and has several rooms perched precariously on the rock face which offers stunning – but very dangerous – views of the Pacific Ocean.
Addressing the Chronicle of San Franciscoa local land expert said the structure has been there for at least ten years and could contain a hermit.
Samuel Casillas, president of the Pacifica Land Trust, told the outlet he never met the occupant but believed a man still lived at the site.
The dilapidated three-story structure was first spotted on the edge of a dangerous cliff in Devil’s Slide, Pacifica, by a drone in December 2022.
Samuel Casillas, president of the Pacifica Land Trust, said he knew someone lived on the cliff but had never seen them.
He said: “We knew there was something there, but we didn’t know who it was or what property it was on. It’s in a dangerous place that’s really not accessible.
According to Casillas, a few years ago the trust asked the State Land Commission to clarify who owned the site, but it never responded.
Since then, Casillas has said he has left the person alone, telling the outlet: “We would not disturb a person who wants to become a hermit.
“We know someone came through there, we just don’t know who it is. This guy should just be left alone.
Drone operator @ParallaxEffect said of their footage: “We were hiking along the California coast in a familiar place and I noticed something strange on the cliffs.
“Taking a plane to investigate revealed one of the most incredible human structures I have ever seen.
Drone footage shows waves breaking just meters from the base of the structure.
The tarpaulin covering its bare posts can be seen blowing in the strong coastal wind.
The house shows signs of life, including a punching bag, a solitary wooden chair, and a completely closed room.
Drone footage shows crashing waves just meters from the base of the structure.
Several road signs and buoys appear scattered around the property.
Devil’s Slide is known for its landslides – with a road passing nearby since its destruction.
Google Earth images also reveal a rope connecting the structure to the Devil’s Slide Trail providing an entry and exit point.
A San Mateo County spokesperson told SFGATE that since the structure sits on ocean bluffs, it “is not located on county land.”
The authority said it was reviewing the records to see if additional information was available.
Devil’s Slide, named for its deadly descent into the sea, held Highway 1 atop its cliff until several major landslides made the route dangerous.
Tunnels were dug through the rocks further inland and the new section of the Pacific Coast Highway opened in 2013.
The old highway was later transformed into the Devil’s Slide hiking trail, which passes right above the curious house.
