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Sightseeing

Hearst Castle

📍 Hearst Castle, 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452, USA
Hearst Castle
1 photos
4.2/ 5.0
★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
USA, San Francisco
Category
Sightseeing
Duration
About 3-4 hours including shuttle; single tour route about 2 hours
Address
Hearst Castle, 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452, USA
Coordinates
35.6849, -121.1699

Introduction

Hearst Castle, built between 1919 and 1947 atop a coastal mountain in San Simeon, was the lavish estate of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, designed by architect Julia Morgan and regarded as the most magnificent private residence in American history. The main building, Casa Grande, contains 115 rooms adorned with rare European antiques and architectural elements Hearst collected from across the continent, including 16th-century Spanish ceilings, ancient Greek marble columns, and medieval tapestries. The estate also features two guest villas, the outdoor Neptune Pool, the indoor Roman Pool, and expansive gardens with remnants of a historic zoo. In 1958 the Hearst family donated the estate to the California State Parks system; it is now a National Historic Landmark open to the public and the most iconic cultural landmark on the Central Coast.

✨ Highlights

1
Casa Grande main house
115 rooms with European antiques, ultimate luxury
2
Neptune Pool
Outdoor marble pool with Greek statues overlooking Pacific
3
Roman Indoor Pool
Gold-leaf mosaic, ancient Roman bath style, stunning
4
European art treasures
16th-century Spanish ceilings, medieval tapestries, authentic
5
Julia Morgan design
First female Ecole des Beaux-Arts architect, 28-year project
6
Coastal location
Atop mountain above Pacific, Highway 1 iconic scenery
7
National Historic Landmark
Donated to state in 1958, American cultural treasure

🛈 Practical Info

→Access:About 4 hours from SF or LA via Highway 1 or 101
→Tours:Multiple themed routes; Grand Rooms Tour recommended first
→Shuttle:Bus from visitor center up hill about 15 min, included
→Facilities:Visitor center, cafe, gift shop; no food on hilltop
→Opening Hours:Daily 8:00-17:00 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day)
→Transportation:In San Simeon, about 4 hours from San Francisco and 4.5 hours from Los Angeles via Highway 1 or 101

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult$30

Adults from $30, children from $15; prices vary by tour route, advance reservation required

💡 Tips

• Tickets must be reserved online in advance; peak weekends sell out, book early
• First-time visitors should take Grand Rooms Tour covering the most opulent halls
• Hilltop is 5-10 degrees cooler and windy; bring a jacket
• Combine with Highway 1 road trip; McWay Falls and elephant seal rookery nearby
• Return at sunset for stunning Highway 1 coastal sunset views

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Hearst Castle?

Daily 8:00-17:00 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day)

How much is the admission for Hearst Castle?

Adult: $30; Adults from $30, children from $15; prices vary by tour route, advance reservation required

Any practical tips for visiting Hearst Castle?

Tickets must be reserved online in advance; peak weekends sell out, book early First-time visitors should take Grand Rooms Tour covering the most opulent halls

How long should I spend at Hearst Castle?

A typical visit takes About 3-4 hours including shuttle; single tour route about 2 hours.

Tour routes and hours may change for maintenance or weather; check California State Parks site

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