DAY TRIP Hearst Castle

After inheriting the land from his mother, the famed politician and publisher William Randolph Hearst took the 250,000 acres of land he had in San Simeon, paired with renowned architect Julie Morgan and decided to “build a little something� in 1919, according to the Hearst Castle website. Nearly 30 years later, the estate had 165 rooms, 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways. The land now stands as a landmark and historical monument in California, run by the California State Parks service.

 

GETTING THERE

Take the I-405 north to the US-101 north toward Ventura. Exit onto the CA-1 north toward Morro Bay/Hearst Castle. Turn right at the CA-1/Toro Street and follow for more than 40 miles. Turn right at Hearst Castle Road.

 

ADMISSION

Off season ticket prices (Sept. 16 through May 14): For the tour 1, 2, 3 or 4, $20 for adults and $10 for ages 6 through 17. For evening tours tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 6 through 17. Peak season ticket prices (May 15 through Sept. 15): Tours 1, 2, 3 or 4, are $24 for adults and $12 for children ages 6 through 17. Evening tours are $30 for adults and $15 for children. Reservations are encouraged always.

 

TOUR TIMES

The first tour of the day usually departs at 8:20 a.m. Tours usually last for one hour and 45 minutes, the exception being the evening tour, which last more than two hours. The last tour of the day starts at 3:20, except during summer, when it may run later. Evening tour times vary; call for more information.

 

TOUR ONE

Hearst Castle coordinators recommend this tour for first-time visitors. The tour, lasting one hour and 45 minutes, gives a varied and broad tour of the castle. It explores the esplanade and gardens with marble sculptures and blooming flowers — when in season. The guesthouse Casa del Sol is also featured with its 18 bedrooms, four of which are shown. Both pools are also seen on the tour, including the Neptune pool and its 345,000 gallons of water. The highlight may be the Casa Grande. Five rooms are shown which include the assembly room, the refectory, the morning room, the billiard room and theater.

 

TOUR TWO

A more intimate look at specific areas, tour two offers a view of the Doge’s suite, an Italian-style suite with a balcony inspired by Doge’s Place in Venice. Also seen is the kitchen and pantry, the library — which features more than 4,000 books and Greek and Roman antiques, and a stop at both pools.

 

TOUR THREE

Featured here is the modern north wing of Casa Grande; the indulgently designed Casa Del Monte, which features priceless furniture and works of art; the pools, and the bathrooms in the north wing that date from the 1940s.

 

TOUR FOUR

This tour looks at some of the hidden secrets of Hearst Castle as well as explores the beauty of the landscape. Visitors are taken inside the Neptune pool dressing room while they visit the pool. Visitors also get their first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean at Casa del Mar, the largest guest house. It was in Casa del Mar that Hearst spent his final years. The highlight of the tour is the walk through the estate’s gardens. Two other items are also viewed on this tour, the hidden terrace as well as the wine cellar of Casa Grande, which houses European and Californian wines.

— Daniel Tedford