Who knew there was a castle in Pacifica? A nice visit if you're into history, architecture and want to see some views. Built in 1908 by the San Francisco rail magnate Henry Harrison McCloskey by the sea as a safe haven after his San Francisco home was severely damaged in the 1906 earthquake. It was later sold by his wife after her husband's death in 1914 Up until 1959, it had a reputation as a speakeasy, an illegal abortion clinic, a brothel and Coast Guard barracks during World War II. The castle was purchased and restored in 1959 by the late Sam Mazza, commercial painter and real estate magnate filled it with items from old theaters (fixtures, props) and items he purchased at garage sales...so a lot of kitschy items can be found. Place was never used as a residence but hosting parties and used as an event space. The place isn't as grand as I had imagined but definitely back in the day when Pacifica wasn't quite developed. A bit worn on the outside with no greenery and can see it providing a creepy backdrop at night. The docents (dressed as Mr and Mrs McCloskey) and Jeanette Cool, Executive Director of the Sam Mazza Foundation provided rich history that made it interesting and fun. The tour is 1.5 hours with a 10min video from 2000 of Sam Mazza at age 94...energetic and a bit quirky, eccentric with unique taste. All his real estate holdings, including the castle, and his art was left to his foundation after he passed in 2002. So now the castle provides tours, afternoon tea, holiday events and even a Halloween event with a medium...yeah friend bought tickets for that! An enjoyable visit with light refreshments after so grab a bite to eat before or after your tour read more

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Visited the Mazza Castle (aka Sam's Castle) on a Sunday evening for the Castle Music Salon. We were able to enjoy the extraordinary sounds of the Musical Art Quintet, talented musicians playing a wide range of tunes on string instruments including the cello, bass, violin, and viola (x2). The entire group was in good spirits and focused on their performance, yet also carefree as they spoke to the audience of their music and history. Refreshments were included with the ticket price, including various wine offerings. And guests were able to roam around the inside of the castle and explore a few of the different rooms before the show and during intermission. There was a steep hill on the drive up, but it wasn't too scary. The castle itself is beautiful, the structure simpler on the outside, but the inside, restored by Sam Mazza, is covered in quirky decor, furnishings, instruments, and artifacts collected from throughout the bay area (a lot of interesting paintings and sculptures, and even a suit of armour on the lower level). There's much to learn about this monument's incredible history, including its past as an illegal abortion clinic, its days as a speakeasy (Chateau Lafayette), and even its origin as a safe haven for Henry Harrison McCloskey's family when it was first built following the 1906 earthquake. Castle tours are available by reservation, organized by the Sam Mazza Foundation. They also hold a number of special events here occasionally, including the amazing Castle Music Salon that I recently attended. It's certainly worth a visit, I think moreso when you can view the castle in conjunction with an event. read more

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Was excited to take the castle tour after reading about online. Lots of history here! Walked into the living room and each room had amazing views of the bay!! Watched a short video of Sam at the castle back in the day. What a character! After that, a cute in-character couple talked about the days leading up to what it is today. Then we broke up into 2 groups and got a tour of 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. We got to hear what the cool organ sounded like too. Then after walking down the stairs to a large dining room area and on the ocean side got a nice spread of cheeses, salami, and crackers plus sweets with cookies, coffee, tea and delouse lemonade! All served on beautiful china. Everyone was super friendly and the place was decorated beautifully. The only thing I think would have been cool to see would have been more pictures of all the artifact clothing that movie stars wore back in the movie days. Like the beaded cape and crown. read more

Mazza Castle - Cape and crown - Museums Near Me - Pacifica, California

The McCloskey Castle tour is one of the most delightful ways to spend an afternoon learning about local history. Thanks to Bridget for providing such a wonderful look back at the Castle history during the tour. Thanks to the Sam Mazza Foundation for keeping the building open and available for others to learn about. Also for the excellent refreshments served during the tour. Well worth the time and money spent. read more

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I found this place on Maps under Sam's Castle. I pulled up to this castle not really knowing what to expect. They ended up being closed so I didn't get to look inside. But the outside was noticeably more run down than in the pictures I had seen and I didn't realize it was going to be in a real neighborhood. Seems like someone's house they decided to make look like a castle. read more

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My Party had book this tour of the house and had the author Bridget and the another docent who decorated the house furnishing. December 3 Holiday Tea Event (12-2:00 or 3-5:00) The tea includes a tour and sit-down festive holiday tea. $50/per guest. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but the money goes to a good cause because they are still doing their best with fixing, up keeping and refurbishing the top rooms of the house, eventually fix the garden landscaping and cutting the trees so cars driving by Highway one can actually see the castle on the hill. Unless you actually live in Pacifica for many years you will not even know that this place exists! But it is a truly hidden gem filled with history. The castle home is small and nice with themed rooms to match the time period and they Tried to represent all the owners who had lived in the house. Eventually they want to add some history of the coastguard who took over the house for a year and other historical events. The tour was very informative and both docents were knowledgable and had a hand in updating the house and one wrote about the history of the house where you can buy her book afterwards and she can sign it for you. End of tour was nice tea time where you have little tea sandwiches and petite fours for desserts limited to 4 mini sandwiches person and 2 desserts. One scone with choice of butter, cream, lemon curd, or jam to put on cute mini scone. That Lemon curd is the best flavor and tastes like a lemon meringue pie! Then the strawberry jam is 2nd runner up. We had two choices of tea either herbal with lavender or black tea. I rather for for exotic herbal that tastes light and smooth. I was in the main dining room in long dining table. The next room with the view was able to fit the other 10 people from my party. With 24 of us there, the tea service was quite slow with two servers using small teapot to pour for all of us. Not sure why they don't just get a bigger teapot which would be easier? I know it would ruin the ambience, but still some of us had to wait quite a while for them to make new tea. It tastes much better to eat and then take a sip of tea and chat with others. The views from the home is just lovely on clear sunny day like today. However I don't see how people could live up here with such a narrow and steep road coming up to the castle. Small parking lot up here. So I guess with all tea time restaurants, parking is always limited like Lovely's Tea Shoppe. Hopefully they will get enough funding and help to fix up the rest of the property in the future. In meantime, stop on by with reservations and have a step back in time! Reminds me of a mini Hearst Castle. read more

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The restoration of the Little Brown Church and turning it into a coastside museum has added another jewel to the city of Pacifica. There is plenty of history within the walls of this building including the most recent work on the Tom Lantos tunnels. If you're interested in the castle of Pacifica, the old railroad that went through town along the coast or anything else Pacifica, this is a must see. Right now it is open Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturday from 1-4PM. read more

Although hidden in the hills, the castle is a delightful tour opportunity. What makes it special, the history society provides 10 to 20 docents dressed as local pioneers who tell their life story. Each character was polished and it was well versed in the life of the person they portray, and brought it to life for the attendees. That alone was well worth the price of admission, and as an added attraction they offer free coffee cheese homemade cookies and the like. You can sit in the sunroom enjoying the view chatting with the docents and having cookies and coffee at the same time. The grounds are somewhat a mess but they are working on it by doing fundraising. read more

I had waited for a while to visit Pacifia's historical castle during their twice a year tour and it was worth the wait. The castle has an extensive history as visitors will learn from the booklet given at the entry as well as the many docents waiting to impart details of the castle.One can catch a van at the local high school parking lot (no charge) and once arriving is greeted by a man in his finery and best kilt with a most beautiful Irish hound. There visitors are greeted and given a small bit of what to expect and where the bathrooms are located then in you go! Built in 1908 by Irish immigrant Henry Harrison McCloseky for his Scottish born wife after the San Francisco earthquake destroyed their city home. Then Pacifica was way out in the boonies! The wife wanted to return to her childhood castle home in Scotland hence the castle in Pacifica to keep her happy. After a period of time and a tragedy, the castle began its long history of owners with a very lively roaring 1920's history! I don't want to tell too much because that's a part of the fun tour. For me, besides the history and more so importantly, the art within the castle! Art deco statues, old late 1800's and early 1900's furniture. Every room was filled and pieces were collectively most beautiful than anywhere I have been. The home's restoration of the unique period time, walls, chandeliers and Indian carpets. I suggested to one docent, people should take off their shoes to preserve carpets. In every room is a docent or two more than willing to share the history, some as though they are the "ghosts" of the former residence now in spirit. Some of them were a lot of fun! I would suggest a little less info unless asked for others. And then downstairs to the dinning area for many choices of delicious (mostly) homemade desserts, coffee and juice. I ate too much really.There is a good book with greater details and stories that can be purchased in the same room as the refreshments. The view of the ocean is incredibly beautiful for the majority of rooms. I would love to see the gardens tended. Is there a gardener out there willing to donate time? The land surrounding the castle is a bit in need of a weed wacker and I imagined a full bloom garden to walk in. It is said the castle is haunted and truly at one point in one room I felt a presence. The monies collected are to restore The Little Brown Church in Pacifica, also an historical landmark. Do try and get a ticket early for the August tour. April and August are the two months. read more

Stumbled upon this place while going home from Half Moon Bay. Stunning house. Very steep road to the castle. Unfortunately, it is only open a few days a year and it was closed when we were there. read more

The cost for a tour is steep - $30 per person - especially for what you get. You get ~50 minutes including a tour of the first floor of the castle which is 4-5 small rooms and a few bathrooms and a 10 minute video about Sam Mazza in the living room. Scott who designed the place is the best tour guide. Then they take you downstairs for finger food. For our group that had planned the tour months in advance, they ran out of most of the food so that 3 people got absolutely no food and 5 only got some grapes, melon and cookies. This is not acceptable for $30 per person. read more

Have you ever wondered why there is a "castle like" building on the top of a hill when you were driving on Hwy1? That's McCloskey Castle (aka "Sam's castle"). This place has an interesting history. It is usually closed to the public since it's owned by the Sam Mazza Foundation. But Pacifica Historical Society hosts tours (2 times/year) for the public for small fees. It is worth the money since you get to see the inside of this building and hear some fascinating stories of this place. If you like to find out about history of this whimsical castle, contact Pacifica Historical Society (650.359.5462) to find out their tour dates. read more

This charming historic castle is not to be missed. The tour was led by Bridget Oates, author of the book on the castle, and Jeanette Cool, executive director of the Sam Mazza Foundation and longtime assistant to the late Mr. Mazza, who worked in Hollywood in theater and prop construction. A mixture of antiques, lighting fixtures and decorations from lavish theaters, and costumes Mr. Mazza collected fill the castle. Guests are treated to stunning views of the coast, tour of the unique rooms, and the remarkable history of the place since its construction in 1907 by the McClosky family. A lovely spread of refreshments is served in the dining room at the end. read more

We had a wine party there but quite honestly I thought the place would be better taken care of. The views were awesome on a sunny day. The place has lots of history. We had a person give us a tour and sell us a book. We had a fun time. read more