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Hearst Castle California State Historical Monument Visitor Center, Hearst Castle in background. Click to enlarge.
Hearst Castle State Historical Monument San Simeon Visitor Center

Hearst Castle's outdoor Neptune Pool, Romanesque Outdoor Swimming Pool. Click to enlarge.
Hearst Castle's Neptune Pool; Romanesque Outdoor Swimming Pool.

William Randolph Hearst Private Library. Click to enlarge.

CLICK HERE: Take the Hearst Castle Photo Tour.

Hearst Castle Tour Information: Hearst State Historical Monument San Simeon tour guide and visitor information basics:

Hearst Corporation deeded Hearst Castle to the State of California in 1957 and Hearst State Historical Monument has become one of California's most popular parks with well over a million visitors every year. Hearst Castle has tours daily every day except for Christmas, New Years, and Thanksgiving.
Hearst Castle California State Historical Monument Aerial Photograph: Click to enlarge Hearst Castle Aerial Photo to view the Hearst Castle San Simeon, Hearst Castle Grounds and Hearst Ornamental Gardens.
Click to enlarge Hearst Castle Aerial Photo and view Hearst Castle, grounds and ornamental gardens.
There are no self guided tours for the general public, the organized tours provided by the State of California are the only way for the public to visit Hearst Castle. There is no one Hearst Castle tour on which you can see all of the sites available at Hearst Castle; there are three main tours which cover different parts of the Castle, all taken these will show you most of Hearst Castle. Castle tours are available for people with physical limitations; seasonally Hearst Castle also offers Garden and Evening tours and custom tours can be arranged.
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Links to complete list of resorts, inns, motels, and hotels near Hearst Castle San Simeon, California. Directory of Hearst Castle lodging accommodations hotels, motels, resorts, and inns in San Simeon.
Link to Hearst Castle Visitor Information Page.
Link to San Simeon Village Information.
Link to Hearst Castle Country activities and attractions.
Link to Local Area Resource Links and Website Map.

It is strongly recommended for a number of reasons to reserve your tour and buy Hearst Castle Tour Tickets ahead of time call 800-444-4445 or
Reserve your Hearst Castle Tour Tickets Online:Click to Purchase Hearst Castle Tour Tickets Online; it is strongly recommended to reserve your tour and buy Hearst Castle Tour Tickets Online.

More Hearst Castle basic visitor information

Hearst Books

Tours at Hearst Historical Monument; basic visitor information about the Hearst Castle Tours:

The tours offered by Hearst Castle cover some distance and can be quite strenuous involving from a hundred to over four hundred stairs. Hearst Castle also offers a special Accessibility Designed Tour and tours can be arranged for schools, groups, and foreign languages.

If you take all three main tours then you have seen most all of Hearst Castle that is available to the public. Most Hearst Castle tours take about 1 hour and 45 minutes including the bus rides up and down the hill but when planning your vacation if you want to take more than one tour figure 3 hours space for each. All tours load on a bus at the bottom of the hill at the Visitor Center; you can not drive up yourself and you are required to return down to the visitor center after each tour.

Brief Tour Descriptions: Hearst Castle Tour #1 is the best tour for a first time visitor; physically it is the easiest of the tours and gives a broad overview of the Castle, ticket price also includes the National Geographic Movie Documentary, "Hearst Castle, Building the Dream" about the history and construction of Hearst State Historical Monument. Hearst Castle Tour #2 takes a look at the upper floor of the main house, Mr. Hearst's private suite, art collection, libraries and the kitchen. Hearst Castle Tour #3 goes to the Castle's North Wing and the guest house, Casa Del Monte. Hearst Castle Tour #4 features the ornamental gardens, and grounds, greenhouse and wine cellar. These Hearst Castle tour descriptions are briefs and only partial and tours may change.

New Special Tours Brief Descriptions: Hearst Castle is offering two new special tours, a behind the scenes tour and a photography tour; call (805) 927-2010 for more information and to make reservations.
The behind-the-Scenes at Hearst Castle highlights what was the household help's living quarters when the castle was run by the Hearst family; the castle's basement areas with historic artifacts, a fur vault, Roman Pool alcove and filtration system, stone and plaster mold shops, a rarely-seen guest room, and Hearst's inner sanctum. Call (805) 927-2010 for more information and to make reservations.
The Special Photography Tour is intended for amateur and professional photographers and the tour is designed around photographing the castle; even some of the strict photography rules are relaxed for this tour, flashes and monopods are allowed with some restrictions. Call (805) 927-2010 for more information and to make reservations.

The Visitor Center is an extensive facility where you can purchase tickets, get information, visit the Hearst Castle Museum Store , go to the National Geographic Theater or have lunch, shop for Hearst Castle and Central California Pacific Coast souvenirs and gifts or have an espresso. Located at the bottom of the Enchanted Hill the Hearst Castle Visitors Center is just a short drive from the Old Village of San Simeon where you can find Old Spanish architecture from the William Randolph Hearst days, the sandy beaches and San Simeon Pier at William Randolph Hearst State Beach, historic Sebastian's General Store and Cafe which is sells souvenir gifts and general merchandise the Sebastian's Cafe features delicious entrees prepared with pasture raised 100% grass fed beef from the Hearst Ranch serving up a great lunch with beer, local wines and espressos; the newest amenity of San Simeon’s Sebastian’s General Store and Café is the addition of a wine tasting room for Hearst Ranch Wines (805-927-4100) Hearst Ranch Wines.

First time Hearst Castle visitors should always start with tour 1 and two tours is really enough Hearst Castle for one day so if you want to take all of the three main tours then should split them up over two days. Tour 1 also includes the movie "Hearst Castle Building the Dream", shown at the National Geographic Theater. Leave time either before or after your Hearst Castle tour to see this movie.

The State of California has specific rules governing photography at Hearst Castle; you can take your camera but you will have to forget your tripod and keep your flash turned off. If you just want pictures of Hearst Castle, professional photographs for personal use are available at the Visitor Center Gift Shop, you can forget your camera and enjoy the Castle. You can't take your baby stroller or pets so you might want to make prior arrangements it is not a good idea to leave the baby or the pet in the car.

Hearst Castle California State Historical Monument , San Simeon, Casa Grande Bell Towers. Click to enlarge.
Classic Photo of
Hearst Monument San Simeon, Casa Grande Bell Towers.
(opens new window)

It is always best to reserve your tickets ahead of time. You can purchase your tickets over the telephone at 800-444-4445 or you can purchase your Hearst Castle reservation tickets online. I think I have covered most of the basics but if you have questions check the Hearst Castle Tour Information Brochure or Hearst Castle Frequently Asked Questions.

Hearst Castle has all the tour details and tickets for sale at their Hearst Castle State Historical Monument Website and the Friends of Hearst Castle have an excellent Website for Hearst Castle special events and more area visitor information; you need to visit these Websites if you haven't yet.

Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA - Visitor Information Website Links

It is strongly recommended for a number of reasons to reserve your tour and buy Hearst Castle Tour Tickets ahead of time call 800-444-4445 or
Reserve your Hearst Castle Tour Tickets Online: Click to Purchase Hearst Castle Tour Tickets Online; it is strongly recommended to reserve your tour and buy Hearst Castle Tour Tickets Online.

Hearst Castle Bullet to highlight the official Hearst Castle California State Historical Monument website. NEW: Virtual Hearst Castle Tours - wwww.hearstcastle.org...
Description of the above Hearst Castle San Simeon California  hyperlink. now available at the official Hearst Castle Website gorgeous 360° controllable panorama shots "Virtual Tours" of Hearst Castle, Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument. View from numerous spots on the Hearst Castle hilltop or at the Hearst Monument Visitor Center. These "virtual tours" are best enjoyed with a broadband connection.
Hearst Castle Bullet to highlight the official Hearst Castle California State Historical Monument website. Hearst Castle Official Website - wwww.hearstcastle.org...
Description of the above Hearst Castle San Simeon California  hyperlink. Official California website for Hearst State Historical Monument in San Simeon, California; web site of Hearst Castle. Includes tour information, historical sketches, news, special events, frequently asked questions and more visitor information.
Friends Hearst Castle Button, attention for the official website of the nonprofit organization Friends of Hearst Castle Website. Friends of Hearst Castle - www.friendsofhearstcastle.org
Description of the above Hearst Castle San Simeon California  hyperlink.Hearst Castle support nonprofit organization website with more Hearst Castle information and special Hearst Castle and Hearst San Simeon California special events.
San Simeon Chamber of Commerce Castle Button, attention for the official website of the nonprofit organization San Simeon Chamber of Commerce Castle Website. San Simeon Chamber of Commerce - www.sansimeonchamber.org
Description of the above Hearst Castle San Simeon California  hyperlink.California Central Coast, San Simeon, and Hearst Castle visitor information from the San Simeon Chamber of Commerce Website promoting member business in San Simeon and San Simeon acres.
Hearst Castle bullet to highlight website with San Simeon weather and weather forcast for Hearst Castle San Simeon California. Weather for San Simeon California - www.weatherunderground.com...93452
Description of the above Hearst Castle San Simeon California  hyperlink. San Simeon, California weather and weather forecast from Weather Underground
Hearst Castle Website Button to draw attention to the Hearst Castle Weather Cam web page at the Hearst Castle official website. Hearst Castle Weather Cam - www.hearstcastle.org...
Description of the above Hearst Castle San Simeon California  hyperlink. Web Cam on the Hearst Castle hilltop looking down to San Simeon Point; view Hearst Castle Web Camera and current weather conditions at Hearst Castle on this page.
Click to shop online for Hearst Castle souviners and gifts from the same store that is located at the Hearst Castle Visitors Center. Hearst Castle Museum Store - www.hearstcastleretail.com
Description of the above Hearst Castle San Simeon California  hyperlink. Gifts from Hearst Castle®, Website for the Gift Shop that is located in the Hearst Castle Visitors Center; Hearst Castle® Retail online store. Browse a unique line of Hearst Castle® souvenirs, gift items, and educational materials available for fast and easy online purchase.
Click to visit Hearst Castle Hotel Directory listing all hotels, motels, and resorts close to Hearst Castle San Simeon California. Lodging - Hearst Castle area Hotel Directory -
www.san-simeon-lodging.com...

Description of the above Hearst Castle San Simeon California  hyperlink. Complete Hotel Directory; San Simeon Inns, Motels, Resorts, and Hotels near Hearst Castle, San Simeon, California. Complete Hearst Castle Hotel Accommodations List.
Click to visit Hearst Castle Bed and Breakfast  Directory List of San Simeon Bed & Breakfasts, Homestays, and interesting small Inns near Hearst Castle San Simeon that include breakfast Bed & Breakfasts, Homestays Directory -
www.san-simeon-lodging.com...

Description of the above Hearst Castle San Simeon California  hyperlink. Complete Hearst Castle Bed & Breakfast Directory; List of San Simeon, Cambria Bed & Breakfasts, Homestays, and interesting small Inns in Cambria California near Hearst Castle San Simeon that include breakfast.
Click to visit Hearst Castle Restaurants Directory listing all restaurants, cafes, and coffee and snack bars near Hearst Castle San Simeon California. Restaurants - Hearst Castle area Restaurant Directory -
www.san-simeon-lodging.com...

Description of the above Hearst Castle San Simeon California  hyperlink. Hearst Castle Restaurants Directory listing all restaurants, cafes, and coffee and snack bars near Hearst Castle San Simeon California.
Click to visit the Gallery of Hearst Castle Photographs, the Hearst Castle Photo Tour Pictures of Hearst Castle Tour Photo Gallery -
www.san-simeon-lodging.

Description of the above Hearst Castle San Simeon California  hyperlink. A gallery of photographs taken at Hearst Castle San Simeon that is part of this website; the Hearst Castle Photo Tour.
Click to visit the website for the National Geographic Theater Hearst Castle that is located at the Hearst Castle Visitor Center. National Geographic Theater Hearst Castle - www.ngtheater.com
Description of the above Hearst Castle San Simeon California  hyperlink. The National Geographic Theater Hearst Castle that is located at the Hearst Castle Visitor Center. Giant iWERKS theater screen showing the Hearst Castle Documentary "Building the Dream".

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