Hearst Castle - Grand Rooms tour
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Hearst Castle - by Bishnu Sarangi from Pixabay
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 16h00 (and later on weekends during the summer). Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Environmental & Social
Overly commercial and the art is not put to educational use. That said, there is 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
August 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h
est. visit time:1h 45m
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