Hearst Castle, California

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Hearst Castle: This is a far day trip from most places in California I but highly recommended the visit. Make a reseration see thier web site:
On the way there are some great views off of Hwy 1 coming from the north.

Once at the Castle it is a wonder to see!

It difficult to add anything new so these pictures just complement this interesting place

4 more images

Hearst Castle: This is a far day trip from most places in California I but highly recommended the visit. Make a reseration see thier web site:
On the way there are some great views off of Hwy 1 coming from the north.

Once at the Castle it is a wonder to see!

It difficult to add anything new so these pictures just complement this interesting place

Hearst Castle was built in 1919 by William Randolph Hearst and it is full of furniture from European Castles. A lot of Hollywood stars would stay here in the summer (Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, Clark Gable). In the picture you can see the outside pool of the castle.

After I bought my tickets I had to take a bustour that brought me to the castle. During the trip they played music from the fifties to get you into the mood. Although we saw a lot of people going earlier on to the castle, I could hardly notice them when I arrived.

It is not one particular thing that made me like the tour. It is just the amazement that one person would get all those treasures from all over the world, (e.g. wallpanels, paintings, furniture, tapestry from the Middle Ages, etc.), and ship them to this enormous building. He also brought full grown trees in by ship to put in his garden, and had a zoo around is house. Simply unbelievable.


Take a look at my San Simeon page for more photos and info.

A new day, and lots more new things to see and enjoy. After being refreshed and awake from a walk on the beach it was time for the main destination for the day : Hearst Castle. I didn't book the excursion in advance, but that was no problem at all. Of course it was off season when I was there (May). The whole tour took a couple of hours, but it was well worth the time.

When I arrived at Hearst Castle, I really wondered if I would like it. It was so touristy, busloads of people were brought to the Castle.... But I was proven wrong... I really enjoyed it! Hearst Castle is located on the coast, close to the town of San Simeon.


Take a look at my San Simeon page for more photos and info.

A place that absolutely exceeded my expectations!! A beautiful palace, with an interesting history and story behind in a perfect location!

The castle was built by William Randolph Hearst from 1919 on. He was one of the most influential newspaper publishers ever - at one time selling 25% of newspapers in the whole US. He built his extravagant holiday house to be able to spend time with his lover, the actress Marion Davies, and to invite actors, movies stars, politicians and other stars.

The house is full of collected artwork - statues, paintings but also furniture, ceilings, wall decorations etc. There is an incredibly beautiful outdoor pool - see picture - and an even more beautiful indoor pool, built with lots of blue tiles - and tiles made of real gold!

What I liked best: he owned his own movie theatre where he would watch the latest movies together with the directors and actors before they were shown in the public cinemas. If he didn't like the movie he would have it stopped and show one starring his lover instead.

The house is so big you won't see all during one tour, that's why they offer the standard tour for first time visitors and some smaller tours showing other buildings, the gardens, library and wine cellar, also an evening tour.
You can book your ticket in advance over the phone or internet, but note that you book your ticket for a specific tour - if you're late, tough, buy a new ticket. The place is a tourists highlight with buses going from the car park to the castle every five minutes. The castle is full of visitors groups - but it's definitely worth it!

Hearst Castle at San Simeon is a must see monument built by legendary Newspaper Mogul, William Randolph Hearst. One can see the extravagance of the building and pools on the property. From the parking area, visitors take a tram to the entrance where they may purchase one of several different tours. One can see several magnificent rooms (photography inside not permitted). All together, a visit here is one that one will not soon forget.

Hearst Castle is an estate built by newspaper mogul, William Randolph Hearst, beginning in 1919. Beautiful architecture and landscaping. YOU WILL BE IN AWE. This is something that a lot of native Californians have never seen.

Visit beautiful HEARST CASTLE in SAN SIMEON.

The castle boasts of an outdoor and indoor swimming pool (see pic below). And past guests of this place have included the illustrious Clark Gable and Carole Lombard... so I was told.

Oops, please excuse the bad photography (I must have been distracted by something!).

Check out HEARST CASTLE in SAN SIMEON. That's me at the main entrance of the HUGE castle.

Hearst Castle, once the home of newspaper tycoon - William Randolph Hearst is today managed by the U.S. Government. Even in the middle of summer (July), this place can be frightfully chilly... Brrr. So, do bring along an additional jacket; I saw some gungho people without jackets and man, were they freezing!

Built by Newspaper Mogul William Randolph Hearst. Designed be architect Julia Morgan, it took 28 years to complete. The Castle has it's own safari park. The house was used for entertaining by the Hearst Family. Many Famous actors and actress's used to be invited to the castle for weekends. It's a great place to visit and unless you drive down the Pacific Highway. It's worth the $14 for the tour (IMHO .. and I hate tours)