A CAN’T MISS ATTRACTION IN SAN SIMEON

HEARST CASTLE

The most popular attraction in San Simeon and one of California’s top vacation attractions, Hearst Castle was built in 1919 by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst as own personal residence. Since his passing in the 50’s, the property has been operated as the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, attracting millions of visitors each year. Both a National Historic Landmark and a California Historical Landmark, Hearst Castle is nestled high above the village of San Simeon, about five miles from the coast, offering guests breathtaking ocean views. The estate itself is a collection of historic architectural styles, which mirror Hearst’s travels throughout Europe. Originally known as “La Cuesta Encantada (Spanish for “Enchanted Hill”), Hearst Castle features 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms, and 127-acres of gardens, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a movie theater, an airfield, and the world’s largest private zoo. A museum like no other, visitors of Hearst Castle can take tours into various parts of the residence and property, including the Grand Rooms, Upstairs Suites, and Cottages & Kitchens. Each tour offers a unique glimpse into Hearst’s life providing visitors with a chance to explore his personal collection of rare and ancient works of art while experiencing what it must have been like to be a guest of William Randolph Hearst’s. Heart Castle is also home to the Hearst Castle Theater - a five-story screen theater, which shows “Hearst Castle - Building the Dream,” a breathtaking film that combines original cinematography with vintage clips and stills. Produced exclusively for the Hearst Castle, the 40-minute film is screened every 45-minutes and is included in the ticket for all of the daytime tours.

Hearst Castle Information

750 Hearst Castle Rd
San Simeon, CA 93452
Open daily from 9 am - 4 pm
hearstcastle.org

Only 3 miles away

HEARST CASTLE THEATER

Experience the entire history of the Hearst Castle on a large five-story screen. Located at the Hearst Castle Visitors Center, the Hearst Castle Theater shows “Hearst Castle - Building the Dream” daily. The film is a companion to the Castle Tours and is included in the ticket price for the Grand Rooms Tour, the Upstairs Suites Tour, and the Cottages and Kitchens Tour. “Hearst Castle - Building the Dream” was produced exclusively for the Hearst Castle and features breathtaking original cinematography combined with vintage clips and stills for a detailed look into the construction of this historical landmark

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THE POOLS OF HEARST CASTLE

See the Majestic Neptune Pool

Two of the most striking historic areas of the Hearst Castle are the Enchanted Hill’s luxurious Neptune Pool and Ornate Roman Pool. The Neptune Pool, which took 12 years to complete, features ancient fountains, sculptures, marble pavilions, alabaster lanterns, dressing rooms, and an ancient temple facade. The Neptune Pool was built and rebuilt three times, each larger than the next, which is why it took a dozen years to construct. It includes Ancient Roman Revival and Greek Revival style columns and architecture and offers scenic views of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Smaller than the Neptune Pool, but equally awe-inspiring, the Roman Pool resembles a decadent Roman bath with striking cobalt blue and gold tiles. The indoor Roman Pool features intricate mosaics depicting a star-filled night sky, which spreads across the roof and dome. The Roman Pool was designed to contain an exercise room, sweat baths, a handball court, and dressing rooms. Decorating the Roman Pool are eight marble statues of Greek and Roman gods, goddesses, and heroes carved by famed Italian sculptor Carlo Freter.


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