The Art of San Simeon Tour, offered seasonally, explores how Hearst acquired his paintings, antiquities and other fascinating works of art. The guided Private Tour is the ultimate way to experience Hearst. The tour accommodates up to six people coupled with taking guests to all areas inaccessible on the other tours.
We typically sell out during Spring Break - it is a very busy time for us.
You can swim in Hearst Castle's famous pools. It'll only cost you $1,250. The 104-foot-long Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Imagine taking a dip in one of Hearst Castle's ornate pools on a warm summer evening.
Things to Do near Hearst Castle
- William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach. #4 of 23 things to do in San Simeon.
- The Foundation at Hearst Castle. #2 of 2 Food & Drink in San Simeon.
- Hearst Ranch Winery. #6 of 23 things to do in San Simeon.
- Sebastian General Store.
- Vista Point.
- Old San Simeon.
- Piedras Blancas.
- Friends of the Elephant Seal.
By 1947, Hearst and Morgan had created an estate of 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways – an American castle that was destined to become one of the world's greatest showplaces for his art collection.
You can't stay overnight at Hearst Castle, but you can bunk down at Hearst's Hacienda near King City and the tiny town of Jolon. Make a two-day trip out of your visit by stopping at the Hacienda on Friday night, then head over the mountains to the coast and visit Hearst Castle on Saturday.
Hearst Castle Tour Top Tips
Bring a long-sleeve shirt, sweatshirt or jacket, not matter the year. It can get cool and breezy at the top of the hill… Wear comfortable shoes. You're walking through the rooms, climbing a few stairs (but not too many and not all at once) and of course strolling the grounds after the tour…Ticket Pricing
| Tours | Adult | Children (Ages 5-12) |
|---|
| Evening Tour | $36.00 | $18.00 |
| Holiday Twilight Tour | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Accessibly Designed Grand Rooms Tour | $25.00 | $12.00 |
| Accessibly Designed Evening Tour | $36.00 | $18.00 |
Restaurants at Hearst Castle Visitor Center
The Hearst Castle Visitor Center is the only location at Hearst Castle where food and drinks can be purchased. With several options to satisfy every craving, you'll find plenty to dig into before and after your Hearst Castle tours here.Why Hearst Castle Cost $700 Million to Build.
Why Hearst Castle Cost $700 Million to Build.
Getting to Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle is 250 miles from Los Angeles or San Francisco, 320 miles from Sacramento, 93 miles from Monterey and 455 miles from Las Vegas. It's located on U.S. Highway 1, 35 miles north of Morro Bay.There was a severe drought in California in the late 1860s. Ranchers were unable to feed/water their cattle and began selling their land to make ends meet. The Hearst family began buying as much as they could to help preserve the area's beauty.
Solvang to Hearst Castle would be about a 2 hour drive.
Ticket Pricing
| Tours | Adult | Children (Ages 5-12) |
|---|
| Evening Tour | $36.00 | $18.00 |
| Holiday Twilight Tour | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Accessibly Designed Grand Rooms Tour | $25.00 | $12.00 |
| Accessibly Designed Evening Tour | $36.00 | $18.00 |
It is worth the time. over a year ago. Although everyone is saying you can only explore the gift shop without a tour purchased, you are however allowed to explore outside the castle (including the two pools) unsupervised and without a tour guide.
Things to Do near Hearst Castle
- William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach. #4 of 23 things to do in San Simeon.
- The Foundation at Hearst Castle. #2 of 2 Food & Drink in San Simeon.
- Hearst Ranch Winery. #6 of 23 things to do in San Simeon.
- Sebastian General Store.
- Vista Point.
- Old San Simeon.
- Piedras Blancas.
- Stepladder Ranch & Creamery.
This enjoyable trip transportation is by AMTRAK Long Distance train and small vehicle from local tour company. Day 2 - 7:40 a.m. Pick up by a driver/guide in a small vehicle for a trip to Pacific Coast through Morro Bay to San Simeon for a 2 hour tour of Hearst Castle and then Elephant Seal Rookery with a picnic lunch.
Zebras. There are currently 126 wild zebras roaming Hearst Ranch, according to Ben Higgins, director of agricultural operations for the Hearst Corporation. That's up from 119 that were counted in 2018.
Named after newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, Hearst Castle is actually one mansion -- Casa Grande -- surrounded by three guesthouses, each larger than the average American home. Hearst himself spent time at the castle throughout its nearly 30-year construction, from 1919 until 1947. He died in 1951.
Cambria has some of the better (and more expensive) places to stay and to eat in the immediate vicinity of Hearst Castle, but I would only use it as a convenience for a Castle visit. The Castle is well worth a half day to take a couple of tours, but I don't see Cambria itself as a destination.
It takes six hours to get to Hearst Castle from San Francisco on Highway 101 and Highway 46. To drive all the way from San Francisco to the castle on Highway 1 will be about eight hours on the road, so plan on a long weekend trip with maybe a stopover in beautiful Monterey.
Born in 1954 in Los Angeles, California, Patty Hearst is the granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst, founder of the Hearst media empire. On February 4, 1974, at age 19, Patty Hearst was kidnapped by members of the Symbionese Liberation Army.
