Nestled in the scenic hills of Central California, Hearst Castle stands as a testament to the opulence and grandeur of the early 20th century. This iconic landmark boasts a rich history. It’s like hving our own European castles here in our home state. Read all about this glorious home and tips and things to do in Hearst Castle.
Have you ever wondered where some of the rich and famous during the 1930’s-50s spent their weekend getaways and vacation? How would you like to see gorgeous architecture and opulence right here in America? Hearst Castle is your answer.
History of Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle, also known as La Cuesta Encantada (Spanish for “The Enchanted Hill”), began as a fantasy in 1919. Newspaper/media tycoon William Randolph Hearst, a man with deep pockets and a vision, enlisted architect Julia Morgan to transform his San Simeon ranch land.
Construction of Hearst Castle began in 1919 and continued for almost three decades. It was completed in 1947 and dramatically perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Coast. I’ve always loved seeing this castle from the highway.
The result was a sprawling estate with 165 rooms that include lavish bedrooms, ornate dining halls, guesthouses, pools and stunning gardens. Each room is adorned with priceless art and antiques collected by Hearst throughout the years.
Today, Hearst Castle is a California State Park and National Historic Landmark, where visitors can wander the halls and gardens, and get a glimpse into the extravagant world of a newspaper mogul who built his own fantasy on a hill.
Touring the Castle
Due to its hilltop location, the only way to see Hearst Castle is by doing the tours. They offer four different tours daily with various start time hours plus some seasonal ones.
The tours start and end at the visitor’s center. This is the lower hub of the castle with a large parking lot, restrooms, ticket sales, cafeteria and souvenir store.
Bus rides take 15-20 minute from the visitors center to the hilltop castle. It is actually an enjoyable bus ride with a narration on the castle’s history. Try to sit on the right side going up. I love the coastal views and all the green spaces on this drive.
The various Hearst Castle tours offer fascinating insights and a glimpse into the life and legacy of William Randolph Hearst, as well as the architectural genius and patience of Julia Morgan. We’ve gone on two of the tours here and they were both different and interesting.
Grand Rooms Tour
For first time visitors, the staff highly recommends doing the 70-minute guided Grand Rooms tour. It provides a wonderful overview of the castle and its history.
It’s a well-curated itinerary that takes visitors through the main building, aptly called Casa Grande (Big House in Spanish). It also includes the Assembly Room, Refectory, Morning Room, Billiard Room and Theater.
We did this tour several years ago during our first visit and they have changed what rooms are included. Our tour included Casa Del Sol, one of the guest houses before which is bigger than many of our houses during that first tour.
The guides ushered us to bedrooms and bathrooms which were living museums of the era. It was very interesting to see how the castle guests were pampered.
Stepping into the castle for the first time several years ago was mesmerizing. The opulence and grandeur reminded us so much of many European castle rooms we visited over the years.
Mr. Hearst was an avid collector of priceless art, antique furniture and other treasures around the world. He spent an astounding amount of money on these treasures over the years.
Upstairs Suites Tour
We did this 70-minute tour recently and I really enjoyed it. The lady who sold me the ticket said this was hers and a few of the staff’s favorite tour. After taking the tour, I can certainly see why.
Our tour also started at the Neptune Pool after taking the bus to the castle entrance from the visitor’s center. Then, we headed off the upstairs section of Casa Grande (the main house) through narrow and winding staircases to explore some private rooms.
Overall, this tour required climbing spiral stairs, some quite narrow, for a total of 322 steps. But, we saw so many wonderful rooms and gave us an insight on how the guests stayed plus Mr. Hearst’s Gothic Suite. Who wouldn’t want to see how a multi-millionaire’s private quarters?
For many years. Mr. Hearst and the castle hosted several Hollywood celebrities, political figures and other dignitaries. Due to its location, guests often stayed for several night. Some of his famous guests included Winston Churchill, Calvin Coolidge, Charlie Chaplin, Errol Flynn, Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, etc.
A few of the rooms we saw were the Doge’s Suite, the della Robbia Room and the Duplex Bedroom Suites. They set up the rooms looking ready to welcome guests just as how they would have looked back in the day.
It was amazing to see so many treasures in the rooms. But, one thing most of us noticed were the missing closets. I loved the uniqueness and elegance of each room. The lavish decor reminded me a lot of rooms the royalties had at many European castles owned by royalties we’ve toured.
Mr. Hearst first toured Europe as a child with his mother. That grand tour was the foundation for a love of European royalty and their houses. He certainly replicated it well in his own home. Some of the rooms looked like museums.
The Library and Mr. Hearst Suite
We stopped at The Main Library. This was a very impressive collection of books as well as the 150 ancient Greek vases. Mr. Hearst had a penchant for collecting European art work and books and buying them during auctions.
Mr Hearst’s Gothic Suite was not what I expected and a lot smaller than I imagined for the owner’s suite. It was certainly darker compared to the other guest rooms.
The Celestial Suite was my favorite room on the tour. We climbed a few steps to the bell towers’ level. Decorated in yellow and brown hues, the walls were mostly patterned windows that let in so much light.
The ceiling was also glorious! It felt like a Princess hideaway room.
The Hearst Castle Pools
Most tours include the castle pools. It starts at the outdoor Neptune Pool and ends at the indoor Roman Pools.
The Neptune Pool
The Neptune Pool was the first of the two Hearst Pools to be built. There were several versions of this pool so it took a span of 12 years (1924-1936) to finally complete it. Mr Hearst’s original idea was for a “Temple of Garden” pool along with a temple structure. He changed his mind over the years.
The current pool as we see it today was built between 1934-36. It is 104 feet long and 58 feet wide and 10 feet at its deepest area. The pool has an oil-burning heating system.
This is truly one of the most beautiful pools we have visited. It has also become an iconic symbol of Hearst Castle.
Several marble statues and columns surrounded the pool including Neptune. There was a temple looking facade in the center. I love the design at the bottom of the pool that gives it such a distinctive character.
Go to the top of the stairs across the pool and temple for amazing views of the pool and the adjacent hills.
The Roman Pool
Many of the tours end with a visit to the indoor Roman Pool with floor to ceiling mosaic tiles and gold on the floor. We found out that the castle staff have swam in it during special occasions. What a perk!
In contrast to the Neptune Pool, the Roman Pool is an indoor pool modeled after an ancient Roman bath. Mosaic tiles and eight Roman and Greek gods and goddesses statues surround the pool. It was built between 1927-1934.
Many one inch square mosaic glass tiles, called “smalti”, adorned the pool from floor to ceiling. I love the very regal night blue color scheme of this pool with various shades of blue and gold.
The mosaic styles from the 5th century Galla Placidia Mausoleum in Ravenna, Italy inspired Mr. Hearst. Hence, he wanted them in his Roman Pool.
The Other Castle Tours
In addition to the two most popular tours of the Grand Rooms and the Upper Rooms, visitors can also go on these other tours for further insight into Hearst Castle.
Cottage and Kitchen Tour
The castle was such a popular guesthouse and host of lavish parties. This 70-minute tour allows visitors to go behind the scenes of this large kitchen that fed the house.
Plus, it includes going into the castle’s wine cellar in the basement. Consisting of two rooms with double vault doors and wines mostly from France and Germany. I can only imagine the aroma of aging wine when visiting this cellar.
The tour also includes touring two of the castle’s guest cottages, Casa del Monter and Casa del Mar. It really is mind blowing how these cottages looked like mini mansions. I would love to do this tour the next time we return to Hearst Castle.
Designing the Dream Tour
For any history and architecture buffs, this 75-minute tour is the perfect one for you. There has to be some very interesting information visitors can learn from this tour.
After all, it took almost 30 years to plan and build Hearst Castle. Visitors start at Casa del Sol guest cottage, go through the pools and finish at Casa Grande’s North Wing area.
Tips for Visiting Hearst Castle
Book Early. Be sure to book your tour tickets in advance. Tours can fill up quickly, especially during holiday weekends and Saturdays. We saw group field trips for elementary school kids here on a Saturday so weekends aren’t just for tourists.
Book tickets on the Hearst Castle website. You can also try going to the ticket windows on your day of visit to see any available tours you can take. But, know that the tour and time you want may not be available.
Ticket Cancellations/Changes. You can also change or cancel ticket reservations at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. There is no extra charge for changes to the tour date or time if made in advance. A non-refundable registration fee per ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.
Castle Hours. Hearst Castle is open all year everyday except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
At the Castle
Watch the movie. We highly recommend watching the 40-minute “Building the Dream” movie to learn more about the Hearst family and the building of the this palatial estate. It’s free with your tour ticket and is scheduled every 45 minutes.
The theater is huge and the screen is five stories high. The movie was well done and it was quite interesting. I enjoyed learning the history behind the castle and more about Mr. Hearst’s childhood and what inspired him to build this castle on the hill. I guarantee it is worth your time.
Be comfortable. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. The guided tours involve walking and climbing stairs to explore the various parts of the castle.
Bring water. The whole tour takes about 1.5 hour including the bus rides to and from the castle. There are no amenities once you are in the castle and on a tour. No food or gum is allowed but water is fine.
Eating. There were a couple of food kiosks inside the visitor’s center. But, there was also a cafe that mostly sold burgers and sandwiches. The burgers were actually quite delicious (and I’m not a big burger person) since they came from the ranch’s grass-fed cattle.
Shopping. There is large and well-stocked gift shop inside the visitor’s center. I loved browsing their eclectic mix of souvenirs and household items.
Souvenir Pictures. There are photographers who will take a picture of you before you board the buses. We’ve usually bypassed them. But, you can buy those printed photos after your tour where they’re displayed at a kiosk for a special keepsake.
After touring the castle, consider exploring the nearby town of San Simeon, where you can enjoy charming shops, restaurants, and scenic coastal views. If you’re interested in extending your visit, the Central California Coast region offers a wealth of attractions, including pristine beaches, wineries, and outdoor adventures. Don’t miss the elephant seals at the Piedras Blancas Rookery located about 10 miles from the castle along the coast.
Check out these tours in the nearby area!
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