[2024 San Luis Obispo County Attraction] Travel Guide for Hearst Castle (Updated Sep)

Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle is located between Los Angeles and San Fransisco, CA, USA. We need shuttle bus with fee to reach this place. This castle is wonderfull and historical. #castle #california #usa

Under the blue sky and white clouds, feeling the charm of a mansion is also quite nice

The life of a super-rich person in the early 20th century, with an indoor swimming pool, private cinema, billiard room, and wildlife park... Hearst Castle was built by William Randolph Hearst, the American newspaper magnate of the 20th century, on a hill near the coast in San Simeon, California. Experience the life of the rich in full view. 😆😆😆 🌟Highlights: This private estate began planning and construction in 1919 and was not basically completed until 1947. The Hearst Castle estate covers more than 8,300 square meters and blends European and Mediterranean architectural styles, with a rich collection of high artistic value. After Hearst's death, due to the inability to bear the high inheritance tax, his family donated the castle and nearby estate to California in 1957. Today, the castle is open to visitors as a California State Historic Park. 👍Highly recommended: The luxurious garden indoor swimming pool under the blue sky and white clouds is really amazing. Not only is it photogenic, but it also truly gives a full experience of mansion life. Definitely a must-visit.

Visiting Hearst Castle: A Stunning Experience 🏰🌅

Save this guide for your next trip to Hearst Castle on the West Coast of the US! 🏛️ Take the Tour: A guided tour is essential to explore the grand rooms, art collections, and history of this iconic castle. There are different tours available, so choose one that suits your interests. 📸 Bring Your Camera: The castle’s architecture, gardens, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean offer endless photo opportunities. The outdoor pool is especially photogenic. 🏞️ Explore the Grounds: Don’t miss the beautiful gardens and terraces. The landscape surrounding the castle is just as impressive as the interior. 🚌 Shuttle Ride: The shuttle bus ride up to the castle is part of the experience, with scenic views of the rolling hills. Sit by the window to enjoy it! 🕰️ Book in Advance: Tours can fill up quickly, especially in peak seasons. Make sure to book your tickets online ahead of time to secure your spot. 🌞 Weather Tips: The weather can be cooler at the top of the hill, so bring a light jacket even on sunny days. Comfortable shoes are also a must for walking around. 🏖️ Visit the Nearby Coast: After the tour, consider visiting the nearby beaches or Elephant Seal Rookery for a complete coastal experience. #summerdestinations #hearstcastle #mytravelhacks #historicallandmarks #localguides #familytrip

🌉 San Francisco Sights: Nature, Drives & Castles 🌳🚗🏰

Feeling the vibe of San Francisco and its surroundings is like stepping into a diverse landscape of nature, history, and iconic drives. Here’s a snapshot of the top spots I’ve explored: 🏞️ Yosemite National Park, California Imagine being surrounded by majestic mountains, an abundance of wildlife, and breathtaking waterfalls. Yosemite is a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers everything from hiking to rock climbing. Don't miss the Tunnel View lookout for a sunrise that frames El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome in one perfect picture. It's a natural marvel that calls for a full day or two of exploration. 🛣️ California 1, California, USA Driving along the scenic California 1 is an absolute dream. With the Pacific on one side and rolling hills on the other, this route is dotted with sailboats, gray whales, and picturesque cliffs. From Stanford University to Bixby Bridge, each stop is a postcard-perfect moment. It’s a must for road trip enthusiasts and definitely worth the 2-3 days adventure. 🌊 17 Mile Dr, California, USA The 17 Mile Drive is the epitome of coastal beauty. With over a dozen viewpoints, each offering a unique perspective of the relentless sea, wildlife, and historical sites, it’s a refreshing treat to the eyes and soul. Remember to pack snacks and take your time to soak in the views of this famous drive that requires half a day to truly appreciate. 🐠 Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA An underwater world awaits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a gift from David Packard to his daughter. It's a place where you can touch marine life and learn about the ocean's wonders. The staff are friendly and the exhibits are immersive, making it an ideal place to spend 1-3 hours, especially with kids. 🏰 Hearst Castle, 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA Perched atop a hill, Hearst Castle is a testament to opulence and history. Built over 28 years, this sprawling estate blends European and Mediterranean architecture with a vast collection of antiques and artworks. Take a guided tour to experience the grandeur of this 20th-century marvel, which is well worth the 2-3 hours visit. Each of these attractions holds a special place in my heart, and I hope they’ll steal a piece of yours too. Until next time, keep wandering and wondering! #SanFrancisco #SanFranciscoAttractions #California #CaliforniaTravel

Honeymoon in America: A Unique Memory at Hearst Castle

During our honeymoon, the eleventh stop took us into the mysterious and magnificent Hearst Castle. Hearst Castle, this grandiose building perched atop a seaside hill in San Simeon, California, is like an ancient dream. It was built in 1919, funded by media mogul William Randolph Hearst. The castle spans a vast area, with architectural styles blending Mediterranean, Spanish, and Mexican features, presenting a unique charm. Upon entering the castle, the first thing that strikes the eye is the imposing main building, with its tall walls, exquisite carvings, and lavish decorations, all highlighting the splendor of bygone days. The rooms inside are distinctive, with precious oil paintings hanging in the living room, and bedrooms arranged cozily and luxuriously, as if transporting one back to that elegant era. Surrounding the castle is a vast and beautiful garden, with neatly trimmed lawns, colorful flowers, and uniquely shaped sculptures complementing each other, creating a picturesque scene. There's also the crystal-clear swimming pool, like a blue gem embedded within. However, during this lovely tour, an unexpected incident occurred. My partner, while focusing on capturing the beauty of the fountain, accidentally dropped the SLR camera into the water. We hurriedly retrieved the camera, but unfortunately, it was water-damaged beyond repair. This sudden mishap left my partner quite disheartened, but we consoled each other and decided to use our phones to capture the beautiful moments for the rest of the trip. Our day at Hearst Castle was filled with awe and regret, but more so, it was the warmth and resolve we shared as we faced everything together, making it an unforgettable chapter in our honeymoon journey.

Hearst Castle is the grand mansion of the American newspaper magnate

Hearst Castle, built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst on a hill near San Simeon, California, is located between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The castle's construction began in 1919 and was completed after Hearst's death in 1957, and today it has become a unique landmark in the area. The castle was built on a ranch owned by Hearst's father, George Hearst (purchased in 1865, covering 160 square kilometers). Young Hearst also spent his childhood here. When Hearst's mother, Phoebe Apperson Hearst, passed away in 1919, the estate had expanded to a 1,000 square kilometer farm. Young Hearst inherited this property from his mother. At the same time, transformative construction on the farm began and continued until 1947, when it stopped due to Hearst's deteriorating health and his move out. San Francisco architect Julia Morgan was responsible for almost all of the architectural design. After Hearst's death, the family donated the castle and the surrounding estate to the state of California due to the inability to afford the high inheritance tax. Today, the castle serves as a state historical park in California and is open to visitors. To attract tourists, this mansion built between 1919-1947 is referred to as 'Hearst's Castle'. Hearst's Castle's two swimming pools are as luxurious as the castle itself. The outdoor Neptune Pool, 32 meters long, uses an oil heating system and is adorned with marble statues of Neptune and Nereids, reminiscent of ancient Roman and Greek mythology. The other is the indoor Roman Pool, smaller in size, resembling an ancient Roman bath with intricate decorations, including cobalt blue and gold smalti (glass tiles). Looking up, one can see the detailed mosaic patterns covering the ceiling and dome, depicting a starry night sky. Around the pool stand eight marble statues, all sculpted by Italian sculptor Carlo Freter, representing Greek and Roman gods and heroes. ⚠️Note: Visitors will first arrive at the Visitor Center, which is free to enter and contains some introductions to Hearst Castle and a display of some artifacts. However, the Visitor Center is very far from the castle, which is located on a hill. From the Visitor Center's observation deck, the castle can be seen in the distance, appearing very small! To enter the castle for a tour, one must purchase a ticket and take a bus up the mountain. There are various ticket options, each offering access to different sights within the castle! The most popular are: Grand Rooms Tour, which includes the reception hall, dining room, billiard room, etc. The hall contains huge tapestries, all precious artifacts transported from Europe! Many art pieces were once collected by European royalty, and Hearst, due to his early experiences in Europe and his love for European art, purchased many treasures. The tour concludes with a short film introducing Hearst Castle and its guests. Upstairs Suites Tour, which includes Hearst and his family's private residences, luxurious suites, luxurious guest suites, and the library. The upper level tour involves climbing a spiral staircase, so it's not recommended for those with mobility issues due to the number of stairs! Both of the above options require a bus ride up and down the mountain, each estimated to take about 2 hours! I have been on both of these popular tours, and both include a visit to the castle's facade and the luxurious indoor and outdoor swimming pools. There are also other options like the Kitchen Tour and Evening Tour, each requiring a separate ticket. The ride to the castle offers beautiful scenery, with views of the Eastern Pacific Ocean and surroundings that resemble an oil painting🖼️. The mountain road has many bends, and there are many cows🐂 on the way up🚌. Along the way, you'll pass enclosures for large animals, which once housed polar bears🐻‍❄️ After arriving at the mountain, it is mandatory to follow the park's guide and not to leave the group until the end of the tour and the bus ride down the mountain.

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Hearst Castle

A historical landmark an actual artifact overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Breath taking views and wonderful sights around the castle. The restaurant is good, one can try the beef raised on location, it's succulent on their burgers. Over-all it was a nice getaway from the monotonous grind that LA life is. I recommend purchasing your tickets online; walk in obtain your wristband and have a seat. In addition, wearing a mask is recommended but not mandatory since people are inside a bus just keep it safe.

Hearst Castle is located on a hill on the seashore of St. Simon, a private villa of American media tycoon William Randolph Hearst, known as the most expensive private villa in the United States, and later his post When people were not taxed, they donated the castle to the government for tourists to visit. Hurst Castle can't visit on its own. It can only participate in the Tour organized by the castle itself. It drives to the parking lot at the foot of the mountain and takes the bus up the castle. There are a number of Tour for visitors to choose from each day. The departure time and price of different Tour are different. You can check online in advance. If you are nervous for the first time, you can only participate in the Grand Rooms Tour. After 60 minutes, he will take you. Visit the living room, dining room, living room, billiard hall and auditorium. If you have time, you can also participate in multiple Tour at the same time. Reserve 20 minutes between multiple Tour. Parking GPS: 35.650394