We found much of interest in our visit to Pacifica, located just south of San Francisco, which is currently celebrating its 60th year as a California city.
The very word castle brings about interest and imagination so, of course, we had to check out Sam's Castle. 
 And indeed a castle it was situated atop one of the highest points in Pacifica with a view that sweeps over the city and its magical coastline.  I It was built in 1908 by a San Francisco magnate, Henry Harrison McCloskey. His wife was born in Scotland in  a castle so the Pacifica structure was modeled to duplicate it.
 Over the next century the castle had many roles including a speakeasy during Prohibition, a brothel, and during World War ll a Coast Guard barracks.
In 1959 the late Sam Mazza purchased the castle and then filled it with exquisite works of art and antiques he had acquired  during his career as a decorator for 20th Century Fox.
After his death the Sam Mazza Foundation took over the property which has been renovated and is now open to public tours by the Pacifica Historical Society.
We were met and greeted by Jeanette Cool, executive director, of the Mazza Foundation who related its history to us. 
Then Scott Cunningham of Cunningham Design, who has been responsible for the renovation and remodeling, took us on a personal tour of all the castle rooms and described some of the fantastic paintings and works of marble sculpture.
It proved to be a remarkable experience.
Sam's Castle is located at 900 Mirador Terrace, Pacifica, web www.sammazzafoundation.org.