Hearst Castle
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Designed by architect Julia Morgan and built over a period of 28 years, Hearst Castle is a famous hilltop estate located just outside the town of San Simeon, about 40 minutes north of San Luis Obispo, and overlooking the ocean on California's central coast.
Originally built as a family home for wealthy publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst, the dissolution of his marriage turned the home into a social hotbed that was visited by everyone from Calvin Coolidge and Winston Churchill to Charles Lindbergh. A host of Hollywood's biggest stars also visited, including Greta Garbo, Cary Grant, the Marx Brothers, Buster Keaton, and even Charlie Chaplin.
Today, the home is a California State Park that is open to the public for tours. Hearst Castle is also a registered National Historic Landmark and California Historical Landmark.
How to Get There
The nearest airport to Hearst Castle is Santa Barbara Airport, which is over a two-hour drive away. Public transit is not available from the airport though there is a bus that runs from the greater San Simeon area to the Hearst Castle Visitor Center.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to Hearst Castle
Visit Hearst Castle
The property includes a main house, known as Casa Grande that spans more than 68,500 square feet, as well as three guest houses. The garden and grounds contain the stunning Neptune Pool, tennis courts, and various sculptures and fountains.
There are several tours to choose from during your visit. While most people opt to see the highlights of Casa Grande on the Grand Room Tour, there are other tours that might interest you. Architectural buffs may be interested to learn more about the design of the castle on either the Designing the Dream Tour or the Julia Morgan Tour, which also stops by rarely seen areas and showcases her career highlights and personal effects. The Hearst and Hollywood tour is another one that may pique your interest though it's only offered seasonally.
Hearst Castle is open for tours year-round, but if you'd like to visit during the holiday season, you can take a special seasonal Holiday Twilight tour in order to view the castle decked out in an abundance of holiday decor.
Ticket Information
Tickets to visit Hearst Castle start at $30 for adults and $15 for children plus a service charge. You can purchase tickets online. It is strongly recommended that you purchase tickets in advance of your trip, particularly on the weekends when tickets do sell out from time to time.
There are four different tours to choose from, depending on which part of the castle interests you most. Most people choose to start with the Grand Rooms tour, which lasts for roughly 70 minutes and includes visits to the theater, the Roman pool, the Assembly Room, the Billiard Room, the gardens, and more. Repeat visitors may be interested in either the Upstairs Suites Tour or the Designing the Dream Tour, which costs $35 for adults and $20 for children.
Family-Friendly Options
Kids will be delighted to see a real-life castle up close and in person, and the extravagant architectural features, fountains, and bright colors will keep them enthralled. You'll need to plan a bit in advance because you cannot bring food, snacks, or drinks other than water into Hearst Castle. There's a cafe at the visitor center that serves up casual fare such as burgers, soups, chili, sandwiches, and salads.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Your visit to Hearst Castle will start at the Visitor Center, where a tour bus will take you up the hill to the location of the buildings and the grounds. Plan on spending at least half an hour from your arrival at the Visitor Center to your arrival up the hill at the castle.
There are several tours to choose from. The most popular tour is the Grand Rooms tour, which offers a highlight of the public rooms within the main home, Casa Grande. To tour the upstairs bedrooms and the libraries, you'll need to sign up for the Upstairs Suites Tour.
After your tour, you are free to wander about the grounds before taking a tour bus back down the hill to the Visitor Center and the parking lot.
Either before or after your tour, you may also want to stop at the Hearst Castle Theater in the Visitor Center, where you can view a 40-minute film about the history of Hearst Castle on a five-story IMAX movie screen.
Hearst Castle Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
Lake Nacimiento Resort is a huge resort near the town of Bee Rock. In addition to other types of accommodations, there are numerous RV pads. This RV park is a small community unto itself, and it features a general store.
Located right on the beach, Bella Vista by the Sea definitely lives up to its name. The park is also within walking distance of Cayucos, which is referred to as California’s last funky beach town. It may be a bit pricey, but it’s well worth it if you are looking for a beachfront site for your vacation.
This campground near Santa Maria, California boasts a great location near Morro Bay. It’s adjacent to Atascadero Beach and offers views of the iconic Morro Rock. Morro Dunes RV Park is near the Morro Bay State Park and the natural history museum, and there are excellent seafood restaurants just a short walk away.
Activities Near Hearst Castle
Things to Do
Outdoor Recreation
If you're looking for outdoor recreation, the local state parks have plenty of excellent hiking to offer. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to spot the monarch butterflies at their winter home at San Simeon Natural Preserve, or you can go swimming or just watch the sunset at nearby Hearst Beach.
Central Coast Attractions
No trip to the California central coast area is complete without a visit to the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Just six miles to the north of Hearst Castle, Piedras Blancas Lighthouse, built in the 1870s, is also worth a visit. Guided tours are available. Also just a few miles to the north, Elephant Seal Vista Point is a great place to view these majestic creatures year-round from an observation deck above the beach.
National Parks
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
California's coastal region experiences mostly mild weather year-round. Winters rarely reach below 50 degrees, and summer temperatures rarely reach the 80s. However, even in the mild summers, the interior rooms at Hearst Castle can get warm as they are not air-conditioned. Because the castle is set on a hill, it can get windy, and you should dress accordingly in layers with a light jacket.
Safety & Accessibility
A visit to Hearst Castle usually involves lots of stair climbing, including in narrow and winding staircases. However, there are several tours that you can take at Hearst Castle, and of those, some are ADA-accessible. For guests who have difficulty standing or walking or climbing up and down stairs, the Accessibly Designed Grand Rooms Tour is the best option. Hearst Castle can accommodate wheelchairs up to 28 inches wide, and a few are available on-site to borrow during your visit.
Service animals are welcome to accompany you during your tour though the staff would appreciate advance notice so that they can be fully prepared.
Those with visual and hearing impairments can be accommodated upon request but should call in advance to make arrangements. Assistive listening devices and ASL interpretation can be provided with advance notice.
Conclusion
Filled with extravagant decor, opulent art, and ocean views, Hearst Castle is a treat for the senses as well as a window into runaway capitalism, old Hollywood, and California's history that the whole family will remember for years to come.
FAQ
Yes, camping is available nearby at San Simeon Creek Campground and Washburn Campground, south of Hearst Castle. You could also head further south into Morro Bay to find even more options.
Yes, the parking lot at the Hearst Castle Visitor Center has plenty of space to accommodate even the largest RVs.
You're welcome to take personal photographs, but note that flash photography is permitted outdoors only.
Yes, children are welcome at Hearst Castle.
No, pets are not permitted at Hearst Castle.