Julius Castle Restaurant
1541 Montgomery @ Union St.
San Francisco, CA, 94133
PH: (415) 392-2222
FAX: (415) 296-1111
Virtual View
Terrace
Main Dining Room
Penthouse
Lounge Bar

Dinner Served 7 nights a week
Seating 5:00 & 9:30 p.m

New Brunch Hours:
Sunday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

A Non-Smoking Restaurant

Gift Certificates
Available Direct
From Restaurant Only
Call 415-392-2222

Gift Certificates
issued before 7/29/07
are no longer accepted

Visa, MasterCard,
Diners Club, Carte Blanche
American Express, Discover







Established 1922
ABOUT US

Executive head chef:

Executive head chef: Gerry Lee

Owners:

The two directors, Chuck Stinson and John Bonjean are well known restauranteurs in the San Francisco Bay area.

John Bonjean was born and raised in North Beach, San Francisco's famous district known for its Italian traditions, where Julius Castle is the historical jewel. Chuck Stinson is the founder of well known San Francisco restaurants, SF Waterfront and Sinbad’s Pier 2.

Julius' Castle Legend

Telegraph Hill is one of the seven noble hills of this proud city. The name dates back to Gold Rush days, when a telegraph semaphore system signaled the coming of inbound ships off the Golden Gate. Citizens flocked to the hill to welcome the new arrivals. In the next few years following the construction of the semaphore system on Telegraph Hill, the hill became the domain of Irish immigrants, who set up their shanties amongst the crags of the hill while goatherds grazed on the slopes around them.

By 1920, the hill became a “Little Bohemia” - a place where the young artists and writers of the day dreamed of building a Greenwich Village West. Thereafter, Telegraph Hill continued to grow. Beautiful homes rose on the former sites of dilapidated shanties. It was during this era when construction on Julius' Castle began. Julius Roz, a former restaurant counterman and Italian immigrant, turned the first spadeful of soil for his dream “castle on the hill.” The finest craftsmen, using rich redwoods and elegant maples from the Pan Pacific Exposition, built this extravagant landmark above the Bay. Julius' Castle opened in 1922.

In the twenties, the ferryboats were already an established tradition on the bay and an expected view from the Castle. Patrons enjoyed the slow motion lumbering of the ferries escorted by seagulls waiting on the wing for handouts from the galley cook and friendly passengers.

Through the years, the golden pages of San Francisco history have turned outside these windows. In 1933, the building of the Bay Bridge was embarked upon. The bridge meets Yerba Buena Island midbay and tunnels through the island. To the East, guests can see the man-made Treasure Island, which was dredged from the bottom of the bay for the 1939 World's Fair.

During World War II, the diners at Julius' Castle saw the passing gray parade of battlewagons, carriers, destroyers, and troop ships. In contrast to these heavyweights, the ferries continued their daily runs in the shadow of the newly built Bay Bridge. These ferries retired in 1958. In the late 1960s, they returned smaller and faster to serve the growing suburbs of Marin County.

Over the last 80+ years, the Castle has aged and mellowed gracefully as a part of San Francisco. Even though it is out of the way, people still wind their way to the top of Telegraph Hill to enjoy the fine food and service at Julius' Castle. The food is consistently
superb, cooked with classical verve. The service is first-class with an efficient blend of quiet elegance and warmth. The Castle is a euphoric place; where one is wont to linger in the soft candlelight where the view is unparalleled anywhere in the city. To the west, Alcatraz Island, the former Federal prison looms large. Along the east shore are the lightS of Richmond, El Cerrito, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, and Alameda. The nighttime view from the Castle is a sparkling mosaic of multi-colored lights on black velvet.

In 2003, Julius' Castle, an Official San Francisco Historical Landmark, went through a complete interior refurbishing. In 1995, a full exhibition kitchen was created using state of the art equipment. All of the architectural fineries of the restaurant were restored as well. New elegant furnishings constructed of the world's finest marbles and hardwoods were also added to make the Castle as elegant and comfortable as possible. We are pleased to welcome you to the magic, elegance, and legend of Julius' Castle Restaurant.

Directions to Julius' Castle

Julius' Castle is located on Telegraph Hill, adjacent to Coit Tower, in a cul-de-sac on Montgomery Street that can only be accessed by using Union Street from the west side of Telegraph Hill. Valet parking is available in front of the restaurant every evening. In the following directions please remember these directional references: East: Towards San Francisco Bay, Oakland, New York, Paris, and the rising Sun. West: Towards Pacific Ocean, Farallon Islands, China, and the setting Sun. North: Towards Marin County, Wine Country, To Alaska and the North Star. South: Towards Silicon Valley, San Jose, Lalaland and the Equator.

From San Francisco

Proceed to Columbus Avenue or Van Ness Avenue. Turn East on Union Street. Proceed East on Union Street to the top of the hill, which is Montgomery Street. Turn left on Montgomery Street.

From the Marin County/North Bay
    
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and follow the signs to Bay Street. Proceed East on Bay Street and turn right on Columbus Avenue. Proceed South on Columbus (towards the Trans-America Tower) and turn left on Union Street. Proceed East on Union Street to the top of the hill, which is Montgomery Street. Turn left on Montgomery Street.

From the Peninsula/South Bay
    
Take Highway 101 North, which intercepts Highway 80 in San Francisco. Take Highway 80 East.. Take the Fourth Street exit off of Interstate 80, which is the last exit on the right before the Bay Bridge. Proceed East up Fourth Street one block and turn left on Third Street. Proceed North on Third Street and cross Market Street where Third Street becomes Kearny Street. Continue North on Kearny Street. Turn left on Columbus Avenue. Proceed North on Columbus Avenue. Turn right on Union Street. Proceed East on Union Street to the top of the hill, which is Montgomery Street. Turn left on Montgomery Street.

From the East Bay

Cross the Bay Bridge and take the Fremont Street exit, which is the very first exit on the right as you are leaving the Bridge. Proceed North on Fremont Street. Turn left onto Mission Street. Proceed West on Mission Street. Turn right on Third Street. Proceed North on Third Street and cross Market Street where Third Street becomes Kearny Street. Continue North on Kearny Street. Turn left on Columbus Avenue. Proceed North on Columbus Avenue. Turn right on Union Street. Proceed East on Union Street to the top of the hill, which is Montgomery Street. Turn left on Montgomery Street.

Prices and menu subject to change.		  
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