Hearst
Castle Æ
is one of our most visited California State Parks. It
is located a few minutes north of Cambria on Highway 1.
The castle, high on the mountain top, overlooks the ocean.
The visitors' center will keep you occupied until your
tour bus arrives. Have your cameras ready as the bus winds
up the mountainside, because you are sure to see zebras
grazing on the hillsides as you travel along. When you
arrive you will go immediately to the Neptune Pool. Here
the walking tours begin.
Although
the castle is the most notable place to visit on the Central
Coast, our coast offers everything from hiking and camping
to dining and staying on the ocean front. California Polytechnic
State University and Cuesta College are an hour south, and
Santa Barbara is almost three hours south on California's
coast.
Hearst
Castle Æ, a primary attraction on the Central Coast,
is open daily. The tour guides can relate the history and
anecdotes of the castle, William Randolph Hearst, his famous
guests, and the castle's architect, Julia Morgan. For
reservations call 1-800-444-4445.
In
1919 William Randolph Hearst met with Julia Morgan,
the castle's architect, at the ranch to begin the work in
designing the castle. The book, Hearst Castle: An Interpretive
History of W. R. Headrest's San Simeon Estate by Nancy
E. Loe, includes a section on the unusual working partnership
between the two of them. Loe's book, eloquently written,
comes highly recommended as brief and highly readable, illustrated
guide to the history of the castle. Tours are daily, and
tickets are available at the State Park Visitors Center
at San Simeon.
William
Randolph Hearst, son of Pheobe Apperson Hearst and George
Hearst, was indulged in the money which his father made
in mining ventures all over the West. He and his mother
traveled to Europe where they bought many creatures. Later
an agent would sometimes buy for Hearst.
The
ranch, where the castle now stands, was purchased by his
father, George Hearst. It served as a retreat for Hearst
and his friends. Both movie celebrities and statesman from
all over the world came to visit and stay as guests.
For
more on events go to Coast Country Arts.
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