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Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth under a high ceiling decorated with the finest art. But that shouldn’t stop anyone from living a royal, dreamy life or experiencing it at least once in their entire life. captivating Palace in San Francisco Provide more than just a royal experience. They are a one-stop destination for all things vintage: art, interiors, vineyards, wine-tasting, lavish decor and antiques galore.
12 Best Palaces in San Francisco
We’ve put together a list of the best forts in San Francisco that offer a nostalgic feel, so it makes it easier for you to peruse, choose wisely, and visit. We recommend you to explore as much of these as possible:
1. John Spencer House
Built in 1985 in the Queen Anne style, the Spencer House or Spencer Mansion is located at Haight and Baker Streets, close to Buena Vista Park. For most of its history, it has been a private residence, even though in the 1990s it was used as a bed and breakfast. Seen with its witch hat roof, it looks like something straight out of an old movie. Its exquisite wooden detailing is admirable. If one wants to spend some quality time with themselves or stay with their loved ones then Spencer House is a great choice.
Address: 1080 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
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2. Hearst Castle
Situated on Enchanted Hill (as William Randolph calls it, La Cuesta Encantada), the property overlooks the ocean. Spread over 165 rooms and 123 acres of terraces, this temple has 25000 artefacts, which no one can ever get tired of seeing. Not to be overlooked are the waterfalls, ponds, fountains and exquisite gardens, the palace is a perfect blend of all the five elements of nature. One can never tire of wandering through the welcoming halls, museums filled with Roman, Greek and Egyptian antiquities, Gothic-style studies and lavish decorations. The art of Europe, the East and China is astonishing. Additionally, San Simeon, located about 4 hours from San Francisco, offers much more than just the castle and hence, it is worth spending a weekend or perhaps the entire week here.
Address: 750 Hearst Castle Road, San Simeon, CA 93452
3. Amorosa Castle
The 13th-century Tuscan castle is just 80 minutes from San Francisco. Located in Napa Valley, the palace is one of the best Romanesque palaces. The painted frescoes in the Great Hall, the fireplace brought from Tuscany and the hand-carved tables, blend together to provide a regal feel. Wine and food pairings are held al fresco in the courtyard. The wine is stored in vaulted cellars lined with ancient handmade bricks.
Address: 4045 Helena Highway, Calistoga, CA 94515
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4. Chateau Montelena
Overlooking a small lake with lush green grounds and tree-shaded walkways, the castle is a wonderful sight, straight out of wonderland. Originally built in 1888 as a barrel aging facility, with a large space inside and a second floor for crushing grapes, the castle is now used as a home. The second floor apartment was built in 1960. The large room downstairs is still a tasting room. With massive walls whose thickness ranges from 3 to 12 feet, the palace protects from heat as well as cold. The conical roofed towers, huge doors and spiers at the top of the stone castle seem as if the door will open to a completely magical world.
Address: 1429 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515
5. Vittorio Sattui Winery Casa
Located 90 minutes from downtown San Francisco, the castle offers spectacular outdoor views. Reminiscent of a Tuscan villa rather than a medieval castle, the winery is a delight to the eyes and the heart. Every space in the palace is grand enough to host special events: be it the Gold Room, the Barrel Cellar, the Vineyard Lawn, Vittorio’s Terrace, the Lower Courtyard or Vittorio’s picnic area. Needless to mention, the combination of wine tasting and food is the icing on the cake. Every year on July 29, the castle hosts the Midsummer Fiesta, which should definitely be on your bucket list.
Address: 1111 White Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574
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6. Ledson Vineyards
What began as a family home, the structure transformed into a palace as turrets rose from the 17 acres of planted Merlot, slate roofs formed and fountains and landscaping took shape and people couldn’t help but notice. An hour from San Francisco, this picturesque castle opened a winery and tasting room in 1997 because the crop produced was of optimal quality. Even though, this is a private residence, the doors are open to those interested in wine tasting and tours.
Address: 7335 CA-12, Kenwood, CA 95409
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7. Palace of Fine Arts
Originally inspired by the architecture of ancient Greece and Rome, the palace was built as an exhibition space for the Panama-Pacific Exposition. Built in 1915, the palace is held together by massive columns, a grand rotunda and a pond in front. Initially, it was not meant to last forever and after the exhibition, as other buildings were removed, the palace somehow remained in place. Although it was slowly falling into ruin, it was restored with the contributions of the philanthropist and businessman, Walter S. Johnson, and the never-ending support of the public. It was opened in 1970 as a fine arts theatre. Weddings, corporate events and concerts are organized at this historic venue.
Address: 3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
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8. William Westerfield House
It may be the castle with the most diverse history in the United States. The Victorian mansion with its intricately designed windows, turrets, columns and balconies can be attributed to William Westerfeld’s bakery and candy confectionery. Part of the palace was later used as a Russian nightclub. It was eventually brought to rest by Jim Spiegel, who restored all the rooms one by one and it is now owned as a private residence. Fascinated by the house since childhood, the owner had the house blessed by a Buddhist monk.
Address: 1198 Fulton Street, San Francisco, across from Alamo Square.
9. Albion Castle
Built of solid stone, the multi-storey Norman-style warehouse was built as a house and later converted into the Albion Ale and Porter Brewery. Offering panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay, the palace was declared a historic site in the 1970s. The most interesting fact about the palace is that it was situated above natural fresh springs. Medieval castles had an indoor water supply, usually from a well inside the courtyard. In fact, there are hand-cut tunnels in the mountain rock beneath Albion Castle. The palace, although spread over only 2000 square feet, is available for photoshoots, film productions and special events.
Address: 881 Innes Avenue, San Francisco
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10. Vikingsholm Castle
Located on the shore of Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe, the castle was built in 1929 in Scandinavian style. The exterior of the place is made of rough stone and has 38 rooms, the details of which come from photographs taken by the owner, Mrs. Knight, with her nephew and the architect Lennart. Palme. The photos include churches and castles in Sweden, Norway and Finland. This palace is perfect for those who want to take shelter from the fast-paced materialistic world and spend some time in the company of nature.
Address: CA-89, Tahoma, CA 96142
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11. Berkeley Castle
Built in 1928, the co-ed residential hall was a gift to the University of California. One could say that the palace resembles a stately English manor house. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, the place, despite undergoing numerous alterations, renovations and additions, still serves its original purpose. One cannot forget the grandeur of this palace while roaming around the complex.
Address: 1928 Stadium Rim Way, Berkeley, CA 94720
12. Carson Mansion
Another palace built in the Queen Anne style, it has been described as one of the most photographed buildings in America. Built by William Carson, the eighteen-room three-story building still bears the owners’ initials, WC, worked on the iron balcony. Fairy tale palaces include turrets, gables, domes, intricate windows, verandahs, pillars and an enormous amount of detail both inside and out.
Address: 143 M Street, Eureka, California
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These palaces in San Francisco are waiting to be discovered. From vineyards to antiquities, picturesque views to golden splendor, rich architecture to untouched nature, San Francisco has a lot to offer. The rich history and specialties of each palace will make your experiences more interesting. Every palace has a million stories to tell. Don’t wait any longer and book your ticket to USA now.
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