San Simeon Things to Do

[ Aug 2012 EDIT: The fence has been repaired, and some have received tickets. ]

About 4 miles north of the Hearst Castle road is the Piedras Blancas beach which is frequented by elephant seals. It is easy to find; there are signs pointing to a parking lot on the seaward side of the road. When you park, you will find a few signs describing seals and their lifestyle and habits, and a fence separating you from the seals. This is the 'official' place to view elephant seals.

During the summer, often the seals will sometimes be close to the fence. However, if it is breeding season or pup-raising season they may be way off in the distance. Last time I was there in October, there were a few seals sprawled on the sand way to the south. At least I think that they were seals - at that distance they could have been sandbags.

If the seals are not being cooperative at the official viewing spot, you can get a much better view just down the road. When you leave the parking lot, go south about 1/4 mile.

Park on the side of the road and walk up to the fence, or step over it if you can. BUT WATCH YOUR STEP - the sand is piled up in drifts and can be unstable, and you can trip over partially buried fenceposts. You will find yourself just above dozens or even hundreds of seals, some sleeping, some playing in the surf, some sparring for mates or turf.

PS: The shoulder is larger on the east side of the road. Once you know that you have the right spot, go back to your car and park it on the east side of the highway. Then come back and enjoy the view.
PPS: Please don't damage the fence if you go over it.

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Hearst Palace is very well known from the cinema, and the outdoor pool is its landmark.

However the inner pool is also a precious construction, though so cold in its old fashion look that the weather should be rather hot to prefer swimming indoor, and heat was something we couln't find in California... in August (yes, I know - we didn't go to San Diego...)

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for a more detailed Hearst Castle tips, see my Hearst Castle San Simeon State Park pages.

part three of my Go to Hearst Castle Tips with more pictures!

hey, most of the people who stay here in San Simeon has the Hearst Castle in Mind. there is no single grand tour of the complex, what the administrators did is to split the tours of the Hearst Castle into 4 kinds of tours (to be able to make more money?) and you cand do all of them if you have a whole day and part of the night free time ok.

according to their website:

All tours view the Castle’s two spectacular swimming pools—the outdoor Neptune Pool and the indoor Roman Pool. All visitors will also receive a ticket for our exclusive 40-minute film Hearst Castle – Building the Dream, shown on a five-story screen at the Visitor Center’s Hearst Castle Theater. This fascinating glimpse behind the scenes is shown all day at forty-five minute intervals. The first screening begins at 8:15 am.

Grand Rooms Tour
View the magnificent ground floor rooms of La Casa Grande (big house) where Mr. Hearst's guests met their host and were entertained during their stay at La Cuesta Encantada (the Enchanted Hill). See the Assembly Room, where guests met for cocktails, the Refectory, where meals were served, the Morning Room, Billiard Room and Theater. Your knowledgeable Guide will bring this estate to life sharing stories about Mr. Hearst and his many guests who visited for nearly three decades in the early part of the last century. Stroll the grounds at your leisure at the conclusion of your guided tour inside the castle.

Upstairs Suites Tour
View guest quarters and Mr. Hearst's private floor as you climb high up inside the castle. Visit two libraries and learn how Mr. Hearst's art collection was utilized in the castle. Stroll the grounds at your leisure at the conclusion of your guided tour inside the castle.

Cottages & Kitchen Tour
Visit the Wine Cellar, two lavish guest houses (including the one Mr. Hearst used when he first stayed here), and the surprisingly modern kitchen. Stroll the grounds at your leisure at the conclusion of your guided tour.

Fondest memory: Ticket Prices:
Tours Adult Ages(5-12)
Grand Rooms Tour $25 $12
Upstairs Suites Tour $25 $12
Cottages & Kitchen Tour $25 $12
Evening Tour $36 $18

Children under 5 are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Prices are subject to change without notice.

I did the grand rooms tour 21 years ago and on a revisit, did the Upstairs Suites Tour.

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part two of my Go to Hearst Castle Tips with more pictures!

hey, most of the people who stay here in San Simeon has the Hearst Castle in Mind. there is no single grand tour of the complex, what the administrators did is to split the tours of the Hearst Castle into 4 kinds of tours (to be able to make more money?) and you cand do all of them if you have a whole day and part of the night free time ok.

according to their website:

All tours view the Castle’s two spectacular swimming pools—the outdoor Neptune Pool and the indoor Roman Pool. All visitors will also receive a ticket for our exclusive 40-minute film Hearst Castle – Building the Dream, shown on a five-story screen at the Visitor Center’s Hearst Castle Theater. This fascinating glimpse behind the scenes is shown all day at forty-five minute intervals. The first screening begins at 8:15 am.

Grand Rooms Tour
View the magnificent ground floor rooms of La Casa Grande (big house) where Mr. Hearst's guests met their host and were entertained during their stay at La Cuesta Encantada (the Enchanted Hill). See the Assembly Room, where guests met for cocktails, the Refectory, where meals were served, the Morning Room, Billiard Room and Theater. Your knowledgeable Guide will bring this estate to life sharing stories about Mr. Hearst and his many guests who visited for nearly three decades in the early part of the last century. Stroll the grounds at your leisure at the conclusion of your guided tour inside the castle.

Upstairs Suites Tour
View guest quarters and Mr. Hearst's private floor as you climb high up inside the castle. Visit two libraries and learn how Mr. Hearst's art collection was utilized in the castle. Stroll the grounds at your leisure at the conclusion of your guided tour inside the castle.

Cottages & Kitchen Tour
Visit the Wine Cellar, two lavish guest houses (including the one Mr. Hearst used when he first stayed here), and the surprisingly modern kitchen. Stroll the grounds at your leisure at the conclusion of your guided tour.

Fondest memory: Ticket Prices:
Tours Adult Ages(5-12)
Grand Rooms Tour $25 $12
Upstairs Suites Tour $25 $12
Cottages & Kitchen Tour $25 $12
Evening Tour $36 $18

Children under 5 are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Prices are subject to change without notice.

I did the grand rooms tour 21 years ago and on a revisit, did the Upstairs Suites Tour.

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for some spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. if you are visiting the Hearst Castle Historical State Park coming from the Southern California Area or from the Northern California Area with lost of spare time or having 2 to 3 day extra time, I would suggest a timely stop along Big Sur and the historic Highway 1 that straddles the Santa Lucia Mountain range and the Pacific Ocean for spectacular panoramic vistas for a picture perfect view and if you still have more spare time, then go to Monterey and Carmel and Pebble Beach and don't forget the 17 mile drive too. They are located about 65 and 90 miles respectively north of Hearst Castle If not, then just travel via the US 101 South from North California or Highway 1 North from Cambria or San Luis Obispo.

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San Simeon is about roughly at the midpoint between the great cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles and you can take two routes going up north, the shorter but scenic route via Highway 1 that passes to Big Sur, Monterey, Carmel By The Sea, 17 mile drive and pebble beach and the wonderful vistas along the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, then merge to US 101 North up to the City, it will take about 226 miles and 4 1/2 hours. The Longer route is via Highway 46 east at Cambria, to Paso Robles and then cross to US 101 North where you can have some wine tasting if you have time and do some shopping in Gilroy which has the largest factory outlet stores in Northern California then finally to the city. The Distance is 260 miles and about 5 hours of driving time.

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but the faster route will be via US 101 South if you are starting at San Simeon, the travel to Los Angeles from San Simeon is about 236 miles via US 101 South and it will take about 5 hours depending on the traffic conditions in Los Angeles and on the US 101 freeway part of Los Angeles where the traffic conditions are sometimes horrendous. If you have lots of free time on your hand, you can also have a slight detour to the quaint danish style town of solvang and Santa Barbara town awnd instead of going via US 101 to Los Angeles, then have a longer drive going to Malibu.

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hey, most of the people who stay here in San Simeon has the Hearst Castle in Mind. there is no single grand tour of the complex, what the administrators did is to split the tours of the Hearst Castle into 4 kinds of tours (to be able to make more money?) and you cand do all of them if you have a whole day and part of the night free time ok.

according to their website:

All tours view the Castle’s two spectacular swimming pools—the outdoor Neptune Pool and the indoor Roman Pool. All visitors will also receive a ticket for our exclusive 40-minute film Hearst Castle – Building the Dream, shown on a five-story screen at the Visitor Center’s Hearst Castle Theater. This fascinating glimpse behind the scenes is shown all day at forty-five minute intervals. The first screening begins at 8:15 am.

Grand Rooms Tour
View the magnificent ground floor rooms of La Casa Grande (big house) where Mr. Hearst's guests met their host and were entertained during their stay at La Cuesta Encantada (the Enchanted Hill). See the Assembly Room, where guests met for cocktails, the Refectory, where meals were served, the Morning Room, Billiard Room and Theater. Your knowledgeable Guide will bring this estate to life sharing stories about Mr. Hearst and his many guests who visited for nearly three decades in the early part of the last century. Stroll the grounds at your leisure at the conclusion of your guided tour inside the castle.

Upstairs Suites Tour
View guest quarters and Mr. Hearst's private floor as you climb high up inside the castle. Visit two libraries and learn how Mr. Hearst's art collection was utilized in the castle. Stroll the grounds at your leisure at the conclusion of your guided tour inside the castle.

Cottages & Kitchen Tour
Visit the Wine Cellar, two lavish guest houses (including the one Mr. Hearst used when he first stayed here), and the surprisingly modern kitchen. Stroll the grounds at your leisure at the conclusion of your guided tour.

Fondest memory: Ticket Prices:
Tours Adult Ages(5-12)
Grand Rooms Tour $25 $12
Upstairs Suites Tour $25 $12
Cottages & Kitchen Tour $25 $12
Evening Tour $36 $18

Children under 5 are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Prices are subject to change without notice.

I did the grand rooms tour 21 years ago and on a revisit, did the Upstairs Suites Tour.