Hearst Castle Review
Hearst Castle is one of the largest of approximately 5,000 historic house museums in the U.S., with one of the most sophisticated guided tour programs in the country. Once the home of William Randolph Hearst, California State Parks strives to keep the estate looking like a private residence. The historic museum tours take the visitor back into time through the interpretation of a combination of many aspects regarding the historic California estate, including William Randolph Hearst and his family, and the collection, architecture, gardens and lifestyle at the Castle. Formal guide training is an integral aspect of Hearst Castle. Castle tour guides are initially trained a total of 168 hours with additional in-service training and ongoing independent study between tours, resulting in a high quality interpretive experience for all who visit this magnificent California vacation attraction known as “The Enchanted Hill.”
Hearst Castle Tours
All Tours
Reservations are always strongly recommended. Tour reservations can generally be made up to 7 to 8 weeks in advance.
All daytime tours also include a ticket for our exclusive 40-minute film Hearst Castle – Building the Dream, shown on a five-story screen at the Visitor Center’s Hearst Castle Theater. This fascinating glimpse behind the scenes is shown all day at forty-five minute intervals. The first screening begins at 8:15 am.
All tours view the Castle’s two spectacular swimming pools – the outdoor Neptune Pool and the indoor Roman Pool.
Grand Rooms Museum Tour
This tour is recommended for first-time visitors to the California estate. It also has the fewest stairs to climb. Every evening, W. R. Hearst’s guests gathered in the grand social rooms on the ground floor of Casa Grande (his formal name for the twin-towered building, or main house). Follow their footsteps as you travel back in time and experience what it was like to be a guest at The Enchanted Hill—known today as Hearst Castle, one of California’s top attractions. At the end of the guided portion of your tour, stroll on your own through the gardens and wander at your leisure around the Neptune Pool and the Roman Pool—just as Mr. Hearst’s guests did on their vacation in the 1920s and 1930s.
Assembly Room
Evenings began in this huge living room of the historic home and mansion, with cocktails, conversation, and a chance to meet your host. Its walls are lined with walnut paneling and vivid tapestries, all dating back to the 16th century. Neoclassical marble statues brighten the corners and fine bronze sculptures sit atop the large tables in this room of the property. But the jigsaw puzzles, poker table, and comfy overstuffed chairs show that the Assembly Room was also a place for socializing and fun.
Refectory
All meals were served in this splendid dining room of the home. Mr. Hearst and his architect Julia Morgan named it the Refectory, the term for a monastery dining hall. Its high windows, bright silk banners, and gleaming silver candlesticks convey the atmosphere of a church from the middle ages. When we see the mustard and ketchup bottles sitting on the long tables, however, we realize that Mr. Hearst liked to keep things informal at the ranch.
Billiard Room
Guests at the property could play both billiards and pool in this impressive game room, which is also decorated with gaming themes. Its 15th-century Spanish ceiling is painted with scenes of courtly life, including bullfighting and jousting. And the Flemish tapestry from 1500 shows an early-morning hunting scene.
Theater
W. R. Hearst and his companion, Hollywood film star Marion Davies, joined the house guests every night at 11 p.m. for a full-length movie, preceded by a newsreel. Today, visitors touring the historic California Central Coast mansion and estate will sit down to view a short film showing historic footage of the Castle’s talented architect Julia Morgan, Hearst and Marion Davies themselves, and many of their celebrated house guests—all having a wonderful time on the Enchanted Hill.
Tour Requirement
Consists of approximately 106 stairs (up and down) and 2/3 mile route to walk. Duration is 45 minutes with a considerable amount of standing.
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Hearst Castle Ticket
Ticket Prices and Information
Ticket Prices
Tours Adult Children (Ages 5-12)
Grand Rooms Tour $25.00 $12.00
Upstairs Suites Tour $25.00 $12.00
Cottages & Kitchen Tour $25.00 $12.00
Evening Tour $36.00 $18.00
Hearst Castle Reservation
Reservation Information
While tickets may be purchased at the Visitor Center upon arrival, tour reservations are strongly recommended and may be reserved online now or by calling 1-800-444-4445, see below for times. Reservations can be made 7 to 8 weeks in advance.
Reservation Call Center Hours
Dates Monday – Friday Saturday – Sunday
March – September 8AM to 6PM 8AM to 6PM
October – February 9AM to 5PM 9AM to 3PM
Extended hours from 8AM to 6PM on the first of each month.
All times are Pacific Standard Time.
Reservation Center Numbers
Type Number
Tour Ticket Reservations (within U.S.) 1-800-444-4445
Tour Ticket Reservations (outside U.S.) 1-518-218-5078
Tone Dialing for the Deaf (TDD) 1-800-274-7275
Group Travel Professionals 1-800-401-4775
Gift Tickets 1-866-712-2286
Cancellation & Refund 1-800-695-2269
School Curriculum Tours 1-805-927-2030
Hearst Castle Discounts
Discounts and Passes for Hearst Castle Tours
For the daytime tours, the “Grand Rooms Tour“, the “Upstairs Suites Tour“, and the “Cottages & Kitchen Tour“, there is a 10% discount for additional tours on the same day when tickets are purchased for a first tour at full price. If reservations are made online or by telephone, the discount will be applied at the Hearst Castle Visitor Center when tickets are picked up at the Ticket Office.
We also offer a Group Tour Discount for the daytime tours for groups of 12 or more people when reservations are made at the same time for the same tour.
These discounts do not apply to the Evening Tours.
The only other discount for tours that is available at Hearst Castle® is the Distinguished Veteran Pass for California Residents who qualify. This pass must be applied for in advance. For more information and to obtain an application, please follow this link
Hearst Castle Directions
Getting to Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle, one of California’s top vacation attractions, is located on the majestic Central Coast of California. Nestled in the hills at San Simeon, the Castle sits halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and is approximately a five hour drive from either of these metropolitan areas. Be sure to check local road conditions before you travel.
Mileage
Hearst Castle is located on California Highway 1, about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Approximately 230 miles.
From Los Angeles
Take U.S. Highway 101 north to San Luis Obispo, then travel California Highway 1 north about 39 miles. (approximately 4.5 hours).
From San Francisco
Take U.S. 101 south to California Highway 46, then travel west on 46 to California Highway 1 and north about 13 miles (250 miles total, approximately 5 hours)
From Monterey
Take California Highway 1 South (about 93 miles) to Hearst Castle. Please allow extra travel time for Highway 1 which is windy and narrow. Or take Highway 68 East to Highway 101 South then Highway 46 West to California Highway 1 North to the Castle, about 130 miles total.
Location
750 Hearst Castle Road, San Simeon, CA 93452-9740
source: hearstcastle.org
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