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Hearst Castle - Grand Rooms tour

750 Hearst Castle Road, San Simeon, California

Description

Hearst Castle is an estate conceived by publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst and his architect Julia Morgan between 1919 and 1947. Its formal name is 'La Cuesta Encantada' ("The Enchanted Hill") and during the Roaring Twenties, the guest list included most of the Hollywood stars of the time. Today, it is a museum open to the public with various tours. The Grand Room Tour highlights include Assembly Room, Refectory, Billiard Room, Theater, Gardens, Neptune Pool and Roman Pool. Trivia: Hearst and his castle were satirized by Orson Welles in his 1941 film Citizen Kane.

Access & Transport

It is not possible to drive up to the castle itself and visitors should park at the Ranger Station to collect tickets before being shuttled up in a bus. The Visitor Center is 1km from San Simeon and 15km northwest of Cambria along the CA-1.

Instructions & Recommendations

The first tour starts at 09h00 and then depart every 10-20mins throughout the day. The last tour starts at 16h20 on weekdays and 17h00 on weekends (ever day during the summer). Reservations are strongly encouraged.

Meta review

Very differing opinions about the tour and the estate itself - partly due to cultural backgrounds. The main criticism - and that is a recurring one - is that it is too rushed, everything is timed, and it is impossible to take in the various rooms and their content. Most Americans, and certainly the guides, seem to take great pride in the vast accumulation / collection of Hearst and the lavish parties held there but that doesn't sound as nearly impressive (or something to be proud of) to a lot of international visitors. Otherwise, most reviewers do enjoy the beautiful grounds and extravagant architecture. A good tip is to arrive at the visitor center well in advance to watch the film before heading for the tour so as to get more context.

Environmental & Social

Overly commercial and the art is not put to educational use but some good 'anti-development' / conservation aspects from the related Hearst Ranch + creates jobs locally

Conclusion

A very unusual attraction that is both very much worth seeing and learning about but at the same time can easily be omitted from a regional itinerary because of its dubious moral aspects and lack of cultural relationship with the surrounding area.

Key positive

Some stunning rooms and artwork

Opportunity to learn about Hearst' life

Key negative

Rushed and very commercial feel

Quite time consuming for a short visit

Suitability

No age limit but adults and children aged 12 and above will get more out of a visit there. The standard tour has stairs but there is an 'Accessibly Designed Grand Rooms Tour' available.

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

Updated in July 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Est time includes: 25mins at visitor center, 20mins up and down on the bus, 60mins tour

av. transport time:1h

est. visit time:1h 45m

Regulated hours

Monday08:30 - 17:30

Tuesday08:30 - 17:30

Wednesday08:30 - 17:30

Thursday08:30 - 17:30

Friday08:30 - 17:30

Saturday08:30 - 18:45

Sunday08:30 - 18:45

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
US$30
Adult
13 - 64
US$30
Child
5 - 12
US$15
Infant
0 - 4
US$0

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