United States California San Simeon

Hearst Castle

A lavish estate on California's central coast, built by publishing magnate W.R. Hearst, renowned for its opulent architecture and art collections.

Tips from the community

If you were a celebrity in the 1930’s and 40’s, Hearst Castle was the place to be and be seen. Perched on a hillside along the Central Coast of California, this sprawling estate was constructed over a 30-year period by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Why did the castle take so long to complete? Well, Hearst was a bit of a perfectionist who loved to change his mind — a room would be almost complete, and then he would have a change of heart and completely tear it down and rebuild. Named La Cuesta Encantada, or “The Enchanted Hill,” this Spanish-style castle consists of one giant mansion (Casa Grande) and three impressive guesthouses, for a total of 60,645 square feet. And it served as a vast playground for the rich and famous — the ultimate place for celebrity spotting. From movie stars to entertainers to politicians, everyone vied for an invitation to Hearst Castle. Celebrity guests included Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joan Crawford. Hearst was the ultimate host, and he constructed indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a movie theater, tennis courts, and over 100 acres of gardens for his guests to enjoy. Any why not add a zoo? Hearst Castle was once home to the world’s largest private zoo, and the offspring of the zebras from that zoo still roam the ranch. He also built a private airfield, so his famous guests could escape prying eyes and fly their private jets directly to his home. One of the estate’s most famous and picturesque spots is the Neptune Pool — a 345,000-gallon swimming pool with stunning views of the California coastline and Santa Lucia Mountains. But no ordinary decorations would do for this pool. Hearst ordered in the façade of an ancient Roman temple, transported directly from Europe and reconstructed onsite. The pool took 12 years to complete (in typical Hearst fashion), and it took three attempts before he was finally satisfied with the design. Sadly, Hearst died in 1951, only four years after Hearst Castle was finally complete. But his reputation as California’s King lives on at Hearst Castle, one of the coolest castles in America.

LilliSmith 6 years ago

Are you there now! I’m wanting to go now that’s it’s finally re-opened!

chiefseeker 2 years ago

I've been wanting to go for so long! 😍

stillontheroad 2 years ago

Beautiful!

michele 2 years ago

Hearst Castle Guides

  • Road Trip on the Pacific Coast Highway

    gocamp (GoCamp )
    <p>Imagine cruising along in your camper van rental with the windows down, the salty ocean breeze tousling your hair, and the soul-stirring views of the rugged Pacific coastline stretching out before you. That's the allure of a road trip on the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, a spectacular route winding along California's coast. With charming beach towns, historic landmarks, and panoramic viewpoints at every turn, this is the quintessential adventure for anyone with a case of wanderlust and a love for the open road. Buckle up, my friend, because we're going to delve into the must-see stops and hidden gems that will make your camper van journey on the PCH unforgettable.</p>

  • Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: The most scenic stops along the way

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    Ready to hit the road and feast your eyes on some of the most stunning coastal views America has to offer? Buckle up, because the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Highway 1, is a road tripper's dream—a ribbon of tarmac stretching along the edge of the western United States, flaunting ocean vistas, charming towns, and awe-inspiring landscapes that you'll be reminiscing about for years to come. As you wind your way from the misty shores of the north to the sun-kissed beaches in the south, there are some stops that simply can't be missed. So let's talk about the Pacific Coast Highway road trip and all the scenic pit stops that make this journey an adventure of a lifetime.

  • Hearst Castle and the Central California Coast: The Perfect 2 Day Itinerary

    chiefseeker (Jody Vandergriff)
    Hearst Castle is a must see attraction on the Central California Coast. I had seen the photos, heard the hype, but nothing prepared me for just how magnificent this architectural wonder really is. Only a 3 hour drive from the SF Bay Area and a 4 hour drive from Los Angeles, it is very do-able for a quick weekend getaway. Hearst Castle itself can be toured in 3 hours, leaving plenty of time to see some of the surrounding area. Here, I share some of my favorite spots in the area for a perfect 2 day getaway.

  • West Coast Road Trip

    chiefseeker (Jody Vandergriff)

  • Worlds Coolest Castles

    LilliSmith (Lilli Smith)

Hearst Castle Articles

  • Castles in America: Discover Your Own Fairytale

    Europe isn’t the only place with amazing ancient castles — America has its own short list of stunning palaces and estates that will make you feel like absolute royalty. No, Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World didn’t make the list, but you won’t be disappointed by our top must-see castles right here in the U.S. From […]

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