Visit Hearst Castle: An Opulent Mansion On The Big Sur Coast
Hearst Castle is an opulent mansion in Big Sur that was once the home of wealthy newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst and attracted such Hollywood royalty as Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, and Clark Gable as well as leaders such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.
The castle’s history began in 1865 when William’s father George Hearst purchased 40,000 acres of land. William Randolph Hearst inherited this land and continued to buy more acres surrounding San Simeon which eventually accumulated to over 250,000 acres. Hearst hired famed architect Julia Morgan to design a retreat he called La Cuesta Encantada, Spanish for “Enchanted Hill”.
The incredible home is now a National Historic Landmark run by California State Parks. Visitors can tour the property which consists of 165 rooms, 123 acres of garden, several terraces, and two ostentatious swimming pools.
The buildings and grounds feature thousands of works of art including Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities along with Old Master European paintings, sculptures, and decorative art. Guided tours of the residence are held daily and admission tickets may be purchased online and in advance.
Is There An Entrance Fee To Visit Hearst Castle?
Yes. You must pay for a guided tour to visit Hearst Castle. Guided tours cost $30 for adult tickets and $15 for children. There are a number of tour options that range between one and two hours duration.
Tickets can be purchased in advance from their website but there is a service fee charged for ticket reservations and also a cancellation fee if you change your mind. You can also purchase tickets in person on the day but be aware tours do sometimes sell out or you may have to wait several hours for the next available tour.
What Are The Guided Tour Options At Hearst Castle?
Hearst Castle offers several different year-round tour options and a few other tours that are offered only seasonally such as the Holiday Twilight Tour during the Christmas holidays.
The most popular tour is the Grand Room Tour which is highly recommended for first time visitors. This tour explores rooms on the first level and also includes a tour of the Neptune Pool (the Romanesque pool seen in all of the photos of Hearst Castle) and the property gardens.
After getting tour tickets from the Visitor Center you’ll board a bus that will take you up into the hills to visit Hearst Castle. The bus ride takes about ten minutes in total. No food or soft drinks are allowed inside the residence but you can bring water with you.
GRAND ROOM TOUR: The Grand Room Tour is best for first time visitors and provides an overview of the castle leading guests through the main building called Casa Grande to see the Assembly Room, Refectory, Morning Room, Billiard Room and Theater. This is a sixty minute tour.
UPSTAIRS SUITE TOUR: This guided tour will lead up the winding staircase to explore the breathtaking libraries, guest accommodations, and Randolph Hearst’s very own Gothic suite. This tour also includes a tour of the Neptune Pool and Roman Pool. This is a sixty minute tour.
COTTAGES & KITCHEN TOUR: This tour features two of the luxurious mansions that housed the Hearst family and their guests before Casa Grande was ready. You can tour these ornately gilded cottages which are thousands of square feet wide that offer magnificent coastal and mountain views. The ticket for this tour includes admission to the theater to watch a screening of ‘Building The Dream’.
JULIA MORGAN TOUR: Learn about Julia Morgan, the architect behind the Hearst Castle’s design. Morgan was the first certified female architect in California and the first American woman to head her own architectural office. This tour takes an in-depth look at the life and career of this extraordinary woman. This is a 120 minute tour.
Is Anything Free At Hearst Castle?
There is a Visitor Center at the Hearst Castle which is free to enter. Inside the Visitor Center you will find a small museum (also free entry) with insights into Hearst Castle’s background along with interesting displays about the history of Randolph Hearst and his legacy.
You can also buy souvenirs from the gift store here or purchase food and beef from the Hearst Ranch. This is also where you would purchase tickets to visit the castle and where the bus picks you up to transport you up the hill to reach the building.
Tips For Visiting Hearst Castle
Unless you are visiting on a weekday, you should really consider purchasing tour tickets in advance. This is because Hearst Castle receives almost one million visitors every year and tours sell out very quickly, especially on weekends. Hearst Castle is only a four hour drive from Los Angeles so it’s a popular day trip destination from L.A.
Something else to know about visiting Hearst Castle is that the tours are on a tight schedule so you won’t have a lot of time to wander around on your own or have time for photography. Tours begin at 9am and are scheduled every ten minutes (9am, 9:10am, 9:20am) up until the last tour time which is at 3:50pm.
Also keep in mind that Hearst Castle is not visible at all from the Pacific Coast Highway because it is tucked away high up in the rolling hills away from Highway 1. You will need to take a tour if you want to see Hearst Castle!
Things To Do Near Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle is located in San Simeon just off the famed Pacific Coast Highway in Central California. Visiting Hearst Castle is a California bucket list item for many, and most travelers will plan to visit while on the epic Big Sur Coast road trip.
Whether you are planning to visit Hearst Castle as a day trip from Los Angeles, or stop to take a tour while on your way driving up from L.A. to San Francisco, there are a few other really cool places to check out in the area if you have time. See some of our favorite places to visit near Hearst Castle below.
- See the Elephant Seal Rookery
- Visit Piedras Blancas Lighthouse
- Hike in Hearst San Simeon State Park
- Visit Moonstone Beach
- Find Salmon Creek Falls
Where To Stay Near Hearst Castle
Are you planning on spending a few days in the area during your visit to Hearst Castle? If so, you’re making a great decision because this area is simply gorgeous and it’s a great place to base yourself for exploring Central California’s Big Sur Coast.
If you would prefer to take it easy, San Simeon, Cambria, and Cayucos are all perfect places for a relaxing weekend getaway or romantic retreat.
The closest place to stay near Hearst Castle is in San Simeon which is about four miles south. Keep in mind, lodging is limited in San Simeon and some of the hotels here are a little run down. If you choose to stay in San Simeon, take a look at the Sea Breeze Inn or Cavalier Oceanfront Resort.
A few miles south of San Simeon is Cambria, a quaint oceanside community with nicer hotels to choose from (although rooms here are more expensive), and more restaurant options. In Cambria, consider staying at El Colibri Hotel & Spa or Cambria Landing Inn & Suites. There are several other nice hotels and you can see all of the hotels available in Cambria here.
Recommended Hotels
Sea Breeze Inn This affordable hotel is only two miles from Hearst Castle and features an outdoor pool. Rooms are simple and clean, and staff are friendly.
Cavalier Oceanfront Resort This hotel in San Simeon has an oceanfront location, two outdoor pools, and an onsite restaurant/bar. Deluxe rooms have ocean views and a wood burning fireplace.
Sand Pebbles Inn This hotel in Cambria offers clean rooms that come with a hot breakfast and juice. The hotel is directly across from the beach and most rooms have full or partial ocean views.
Booking.comHow To Get To Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle is located at 750 Hearst Castle Road, San Simeon, California 93452. The drive from both Los Angeles and San Francisco is approximately four hours. There is free parking at the Visitor Center. You can reach San Simeon by public transport from Morro Bay using the SoCo Transit Bus Route 15.
