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The 6 Best Castles in California, United States
California is a fertile, peaceful place where you’ll find a near-equal balance of vineyards and deserts, beaches and mountains, hippies and traditionalists. Catch an epic wave in Big Sur or swirl a glass in Napa Valley. Be dazzled by the Joshua Tree night sky or just star-gaze in Hollywood. Swish down the slopes of a Tahoe ski resort, or cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge with the top down and the music blasting. Above all, don’t forget to soak up some Golden State sunshine.
Restaurants in California
1. Vikingsholm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 778 reviews
Built as a summer home in 1929, this grand castle on Emerald Bay is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the Western Hemisphere.
Reviewed By 8-drank-was-merry - Naples, United States
Vikingsholm is a Scandinavian styled mansion/castle nestled down in the trees below highway 89, lakefront at the tip of Emerald Bay. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight had it built in 1928/1929 with inspiration of ancient buildings she saw on a trip to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. The Mansion is open for tours late May to late September, from 10:30 am - 3:30 pm on the half hour. The tour costs $15 for adults and $12 for students, kids under 7 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center building on the trail just past the mansion/castle. In the center of Emerald Bay there is a small island, currently known as Fannette Island. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight reportedly took guests out to the island for high tea. If you would like to visit the island, you can rent kayaks at the lake shore (for 1 or 2 hours). The tour of the mansion is short, but informative and supports a good cause - renovation and revitalization of the structure. The hike down to the park is gorgeous and it is recommended to make a day long experience in the area. A hike up to Eagle Falls and Lake is wonderful with gorgeous views. Or just relaxing and hanging out around Emerald Bay.
2. Hearst Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,807 reviews
It took 28 years to complete William Randolph Hearst's lavish estate, which includes 165 rooms on 125 acres.
Reviewed By JavyNZ
I totally recommend this tour as it provides a stunning glimpse into the private luxury of Hearst in a much more intimate detail than what is evident on the Grand Rooms tour. Wanted to go to the kitchen tour but it was sold out. Maybe next time.
3. Scotty's Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 536 reviews
Scotty's Castle CLOSED until 2019 due to flood damage. This 1920s vacation home in the desert was built by insurance magnate Albert Johnson. However, at the time most people believed it belonged to Death Valley Scotty, who claimed to have a secret gold mine in the tunnels beneath it. 99% of the contents are original from when the Johnssons vacationed there in the 1920s and 1930s. You can walk the grounds or read the exhibits in the visitor center for free. However, access to the House, Underground, or Lower Vine Ranch are by guided tour only. You can reserve tickets before 9pm the previous day, or tickets are usually available to customers upon arrival.
Reviewed By roberth1950 - Northampton, United States
Scotty's Castle has been closed since 2015 as a result of a torrential rainstorm and flood, but the Park Service in conjunction with the Death Valley Natural History Association does offer two doors every Sunday through the spring. Advance reservations are essential. The tour involves a walk around the grounds with extensive history of the construction and familiar characters from Scotty's Castle as well as a look inside several outbuildings and the first floor of the main house. None of the furnishings or other decor are there, but the building itself is undamaged and even visiting the empty rooms is impressive. Our tour guide was outstanding—very well informed, entertaining, and personable. If you plan to be in the park for a few days including a Sunday, this is well worth the money and time.
4. Castello di Amorosa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,493 reviews
Castello di Amorosa is one of Napa Valley's most unique wineries and is re-opening on 6/6/2020 by reservation only. Book: https://booking.castellodiamorosa.com/booktour?tid=41 with all experiences. At over 136,000 square feet, the authentically-built 13th-century Tuscan-style castle and winery offers a variety of tour options including Reserve wine tours, food and wine pairing tours and a cheese and wine tour. Castello di Amorosa makes a variety of award-winning wines from its location on the hillside above Calistoga. Try "Il Barone," the wine that Robert Parker rated 94 points. The Castello also produces Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Rose, Pinot Bianco, Sangiovese, Barbera, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Il Brigante blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, La Castellana Super Tuscan Blend, Il Raggio del Sole, Fantasia, Il Passito Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon and Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, the top dessert wine at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for two consecutive years.
Reviewed By gabew992
It was an amazing effort to build a 100% authentic (style) Italian castle in the Napa Valley, and the castello looks amazing. We were expecting the wine to be mediocre, but it was extremely good as well -- we ended up ordering a case, and impressed some friends with the first bottle of pinot gris last week :)
5. Albion Castle
