It is located on a hill facing the Pacific Ocean between Los Angeles and San
Francisco near San Simeon in California. This palatial estate is a Historical
Monument that is open for public tours. It is a place which you must have seen
only in the movies but is open for the public now. Adorned with rich European
architectural style, Hearst Castle houses priceless art, antiques and a entire
ceiling that was shipped from Egypt. This 90,080-foot ornate estate is one of
the most popular tourist attractions of California.
Hearst Castle was initially a extravagant home of newspaper magnate William
Randolph Hearst which was later donated to the State of California in 1957.
It is a magnificent estate of 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms and
127 acres of gardens, terraces, tennis court, indoor and outdoor pools, a
movie theater and a zoo with exotic animals. Since Hearst Castle sits on a hill
1,600 feet above see level facing the Pacific Ocean, it commands of mesmerizing
views of the Ocean and the hills and valleys of the Santa Lucias.
Hearst Castle Tours:
Hearst castle offers five different guided tours to its guests, including daytime and evening tours. Day tours last for 1 hour and 45 minutes whereas evening tours are for 2 hours and 10 minutes. It is recommended to get the reservations done in advance. The Experience Tour is recommended for first-time visitors. All tours include the Neptune Pool, a Greco-Roman outdoor pool, and the Roman Pool, an indoor pool lined with Venetian glass and gold.
Hearst Castle Visitor Center:
The Hearst Castle Visitor Center is located at the foot of the hill, right off Highway 1 and has sufficient parking space. It has a Gift Shop, Museum Gift Shop and a National Geographic Hearst Castle Theater along with food services. Also tours to the Hearst Castle depart from the visitor center.
/ Driving Directions:Hearst Castle is located approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and the driving time from either city is four to six hours, depending on the traffic.
Hours of Operation:
Its open daily except on Thanksgiving, December 25th and January 1st.
