1. Travel
About.com
California Travel

Discuss in my forum

Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle Introduction

By , About.com Guide

See More About:
hearst castle

Hearst Castle

(c) California State Parks/Hearst San Simeon State Historic Monument
  • Hours: Open daily except Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1
  • Reservations: Recommended. Reserve online or call 800-444-4445
  • Cost: Admission charged
  • Location: San Simeon, CA, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. See directions below.
  • How Long: Tours last about two hours. Allow extra time to see the movie.
  • Best Time to Visit: Crowds are worst in summer and the hilltop gets very hot. Special Hearst Castle night tours offered spring and fall. The house is specially decorated for Christmas.
  • See it Now: Photo Tour
William Randolph Hearst told architect Julia Morgan in 1927 that he wanted to built "a little something" on the California coast. Eighteen years later, Casa Grande (commonly called Hearst Castle) crowned La Cuesta Encantada, Hearst's "Enchanted Hill" above tiny San Simeon. It's a 165-room Moorish castle with 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways, furnished with Spanish and Italian antiques and art, flanked by three large guest houses. In its heyday, Hearst Castle had a zoo, tennis courts and two magnificent swimming pools.

After Hearst died, family fortunes declined, and they gave Hearst Castle to the state. Today the state Park Service preserves Hearst Castle as a State Historical Monument, and we can all enjoy a glimpse into the Hearst's opulent lifestyle.

Things You Need to Know about Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle offers five tours. Tour One is most popular with first-time visitors.

Before or after your tour, visit the Hearst Castle Theater to see their 40- minute show that tells the story of Hearst Castle in a larger-than-normal format. The theater's screen is eight times the size of a conventional movie screen and it is equipped with 7-channel, digital surround sound. No reservations are required.

  • All tours include a half-mile walk and 150 to 400 stairs.

  • It's not unusual to find tours sold out, especially in summer. Avoid disappointment and delays, buy tickets in advance using the link or telephone number above. If you can't reserve ahead, go the the ticket office as soon as you arrive, even if you don't plan to take the tour until the next day. Learn how to make California state park reservations.

  • Pets are not allowed on tours, and kennels are not available. Please make arrangements before you arrive and don't leave your pet in your vehicle.

  • No strollers are allowed on the tour, and there are lots of things that little hand shouldn't touch. Be sure the kids are fed and rested so they are able to keep quiet.

  • In summer, the temperature at the top of hill can be as much as 30 degrees higher than at the visitor center. Wear sunscreen and hat, and take a bottle of water.

Review

We rate Hearst Castle 4 stars out of 5. It's a fascinating look inside the life of Hearst, one of America's richest men, and the night tours are outstanding.

Others may disagree. You can see what other people just like you think about it, then bookmark this page and after you've been there, come back and tell us what you think.

What do you think of Hearst Castle?

  • 0 = Yuck! Just say no to this flea-bitten hole
  • 1 = So-So More fun than a night in jail, but you might enjoy a good nap more
  • 2 = OK Some people find it interesting. I didn't
  • 3 = Good Go if you have time, but it's not a big deal if you miss it
  • 4 = Great I really liked it. I think you will, too
  • 5 = Awesome! It's a must-see sight that I recommend to everyone

Getting to Hearst Castle

750 Hearst Castle Road
San Simeon, CA
805-927-2020
website
Hearst Castle is on California Highway 1, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

If you plan to travel on CA 1, check with CalTrans for road closures. Winter rains and mudslides sometimes close the scenic highway well into summer. You can call them toll-free from anywhere in California at 1-800-427-7623.

If you plan to drive north right after your tour, it takes three hours to drive the 95 miles to Monterey. Allow time to finish your drive during daylight so you don't miss an inch of the spectacular coast scenery.

From San Francisco

  • Via US 101: 6 hours. US 101 south to CA 46 west, CA 1 north about 13 miles. 245 miles (392 km).
  • Via CA 1: 8 hours. CA 1 south from San Francisco, a scenic (albeit slower) route. 205 miles (328 km).
From Monterey
  • Via US 101: 3.5 hours. CA 68 east to Salinas, US 101 south to CA 46, West to CA 1 and north about 13 miles. 165 miles (264 km).
  • Via CA 1: 4 hours. CA 1 south. 95 miles (152 km)
From Morro Bay via CA 1 north, 1 hours, 30 miles (48 km).

From Los Angeles: 6 hours. US 101 north to San Luis Obispo, CA 1 north about 40 miles. 254 miles (406 km).

From San Diego: 8 hours. Interstate Highway 5 north to Interstate 405, US 101 north to San Luis Obispo, CA 1 north about 40 miles. 364 miles (582km). 8 hrs

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary admission for the purpose of reviewing this attraction. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.