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December 2023 by Jonathan Haeber
Great place - worthy of support. Please help support this important part of California's history. Tours are available sometimes and they also hold regular events. The people behind this organization are very committed and put a lot of effort to ensuring this landmark is saved. If you like visiting off-the-wall and historic places in California, you'll need to see the Preston Castle. It's important we don't lose these places.
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October 2023 by ANNAHI Z
For a Friday it was busy, they had shuttle buses coming around to pick up people and dropping them off where the line starts. The walk isn't too far either. On our way back to our car We definitely walked back and got to see the abandoned houses. Now for the experience it was good, there were actors everywhere and at every corner. I think it would've been even more scarier if the kids dressed in orange like in the "Apparition" movie. Once it was over we got out through the entrance of the building which led to the merch stand, they also had food, drinks, and bathrooms. The sheriff and fire department where there too, so definitely it was safe. If you can't go up stairs then I don't recommend it to you. Other than that I definitely have to come back during daylight and get a tour of the place.
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October 2023 by Lupita P.v.
I absolutely lived it! Great haunted house attraction worth the while. It was a good length as they take you all the way to the third floor. I thought it was going to be more of a historical haunted tour, but it was not. I still gad a lot of fun, though. Just don't take your kids if they get easily scared or don't like the dark, or creepy things. My 12 yr old came out crying, and we had to carry my 5-year-old n have his eyes covered most of the time.
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October 2023 by Maricela D Manzo
I been driving up to this castle for years! Never been inside until me and my mom did the haunted castle tour!!!! It was awesome!!! Definitely recommend! The actors were great! They did such a good job. Coming back next year! They also have food vendors and popcorn outside! Recommend you arrive 30minutes ahead or pay the extra to go to vip. VERY CREEPY! LOVED IT!
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October 2023 by CowboyFletch
The haunted house has certainly been better, but still a fun place to go.... and by the way keep your small children home.And take your time as you walk through... not sure why most people are hurrying through a haunted house.
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October 2023 by Curtis A
Preparing for the haunt.. Are you adventurous enough to venture into the dark and mysterious realm of The Haunted tour at the Preston castle this Halloween? It's getting ready.......
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July 2023 by Justin W.
Not much to see but a rotten gutted building with some sparse time period correct but not original furnishings. I would think all the money being spent on trying to restore the place would be much better utilized to build useful things for the local community. Pools, rec centers, etc. But hey some people really dig it just my opinion.
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June 2023 by trena white
Absolutely awesome!! So much fun!! Self guided tours are super!! Take it at your own pace!!!Ticket type: Online
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June 2023 by D K
I have been excited about visiting this castle since I have of it. We went during the Oddities Faire. The castle opens at 11 am. Therefore, arrive early to get into the limited parking areas.You can not park on the street near the entrance of the castle because of the line of people they said.When the sun is out, minus the few trees to shade in n there,there is no awning to protect you from the sun , so bring a hat or umbrella.We purchased tickets for 11:30 in the morning. However, they did not ask what time our tour was. they just scanned tickets and guided yourself.You may hit traffic in some areas of the building as the way in is the way out, too. Oh, there are arrows on the floors on the first floor.Some of the artifacts are not original but donated from that period of time.There are no inside bathrooms. It's located as you walk up towards the castle, the first walkway on your left, and straight back.The Oddity show was nothing more than vendors and a couple of classes. If you purchased tickets just to the castle tour, there was no stopping you from entering the Oddities event because no one checked the tickets you purchased. It was a waste of money, seeing as I was going to the basement anyway as part of the tour. I expected people dressed up, only seen one person dressed.The food vendors were few and nothing spectacular.The outside building appears to be in great condition, and the inside is under restoration, so watch your little ones.Have fun.
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June 2023 by Angeleaux P.
super cool experience, went on a self guided tour. they roped off the location to keep people from wondering aimlessly, but you do get to see most of the safe areas.
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June 2023 by M. N.
Being someone who has always been fascinated with this place, I finally took my son to check it out and it did not doubt. Absolutely beautiful, even in the state that it's currently in. The town is small but quint. I drive an electric vehicle and superchargers are non existent here. I recommend, you charge your vehicle before you drive out here!
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June 2023 by Nikki
The castle outside is beautiful, they have history information about the castle through the tour. However, inside the castle is in rough shape so be prepared to see rough conditions. I hope they can restore it and make the signs for the history portions more permanent. It was still an interesting tour and loved seeing the history behind it.Price for entry: $17.50
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June 2023 by Annabelle R.
This castle is absolutely beautiful from the outside, built in the late 1800's with bricks made by Folsom and San Quentin inmates. It is still in the long process of being restored, but hardly noticeable. Inside is a totally different story. I didn't come during a special event, just for the self-guided tour, where you can roam the castle at your own pace. I was attracted to the haunted stories behind this former rehabilitation institution for young male delinquents. But I learned a lot more about its interesting history when I visited, rather than the hauntings which resulted from the numerous deaths that occurred over decades at Preston School of Industry. For the self-guided tour, guests can explore freely, with several docents available throughout to answer questions or share noteworthy details about some of the rooms. Know that this is a restoration project in progress. Though most rooms can be viewed from the doorway (roped off), some are full of rubble and just have signs describing what the room was used for in the past. Others are in updated condition with props and furnishings, set up like something you would find at the Winchester Mystery House and you can actually walk inside the rooms and look at everything up close, like the Company B dorm room that housed 60-70 boys, the staff dining room, apartments, infirmary, day rooms, and patio (a giant courtyard similar to that of a prison). In the museum, we got to view original photos and artifacts, and discovered famous names associated with the reform school -- actors, musicians, athletes, and authors who were formerly wards at Preston (ie. Rory Calhoun and Merle Haggard). There was even a section dedicated to the various TV and film productions that depicted stories of or were filmed at this castle, including Ghost Adventures and The Unexplained Files (on Discovery). We had a great experience exploring the museum and castle this past weekend, and all of the docents we interacted with were friendly and knowledgeable. For less than $20 per person, the regular self-guided tour is definitely worth checking out. But they also hold various private events here (ie. weddings), as well as other cool events like the halloween haunt during October, and a beer and wine tasting event, even an upcoming Oddities and Curiosities Show this Saturday, which are all great opportunities to pay a visit if you're curious.
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June 2023 by Heather S.
Very cool and beautiful historical building. Definitely best to go tour before it gets too hot. Buy tickets online for your selected time. There are a few flights of stairs but not too hard to navigate.
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May 2023 by Phillis Soresi-Tam
Really cool castle. Great history ans it's supposedly haunted! Fun day. Nice drive out there.
