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La Cuesta Encantada, "The Enchanted Hill" high above the ocean at San Simeon, was the creation of two extraordinary individuals, William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan. Their collaboration, which began in 1919 and continued for nearly 30 years, transformed an informal hilltop campsite into the world-famous Hearst Castle -- a magnificent 115-room main house plus guesthouses, pools, and 8 acres of cultivated gardens. The main house itself, "La Casa Grande," is a grand setting for Hearst's collection of European antiques and art pieces. It was also a most fitting site for hosting the many influential guests who stayed at Hearst's San Simeon ranch. Guests included President Calvin Coolidge, Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw, Charles Lindbergh, Charlie Chaplin, and a diverse array of luminaries from show business and publishing industries.
Getting There
Hearst Castle is located on California Highway 1, about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Driving time from either city is four to six hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
Hearst Castle, CA Latitude/Longitude: 35.6852 / -121.1666
From Los Angeles: Take U.S. Highway 101 north to San Luis Obispo, then California Highway 1 north about 40 miles.
From San Francisco: Take U.S. Highway 101 south to California Highway 46 west to California Highway 1 and north about 13 miles.
If you plan to use Highway 1, be aware that it is not designed for freeway speeds and may be partly or completely closed during the rainy season. Be sure to allow plenty of time as tours leave promptly at the time printed on your ticket.
Please be advised, Hearst San Simeon SHP is one of the few California State Parks that does not accept the Annual Day Use Pass.
Hearst Castle is located on California Highway 1, about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Driving time from either city is four to six hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
Hearst Castle, CA Latitude/Longitude: 35.6852 / -121.1666
From Los Angeles: Take U.S. Highway 101 north to San Luis Obispo, then California Highway 1 north about 40 miles.
From San Francisco: Take U.S. Highway 101 south to California Highway 46 west to California Highway 1 and north about 13 miles.
If you plan to use Highway 1, be aware that it is not designed for freeway speeds and may be partly or completely closed during the rainy season. Be sure to allow plenty of time as tours leave promptly at the time printed on your ticket.
Please be advised, Hearst San Simeon SHP is one of the few California State Parks that does not accept the Annual Day Use Pass.
Operating Hours & Contact
The park is open daily and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Four daytime tours and one evening tour are available. Day tours begin at 8:20am daily. The last tour starts at 3:20pm in winter; later in summer. Evening tour start times vary according to the time of sunset.
The park is open daily and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Four daytime tours and one evening tour are available. Day tours begin at 8:20am daily. The last tour starts at 3:20pm in winter; later in summer. Evening tour start times vary according to the time of sunset.
Tips & Rules
California State Parks encourages visitors to take photographs provided they do so only for personal enjoyment and without the use of tripods or flash. Photography for publication requires written permission. For more information, call 805-927-2074.
Adults with small children may find the stairs, museum restrictions and group format challenging. Strollers are not permitted.
Large, bulky backpacks, folding chairs, camera bags, etc., are not allowed due to the narrow hallways and numerous stairs. No food or drink is permitted on tours.
The Castle is decorated for Christmas throughout the month of December.
The Castle can be reserved for special events and tours. For more information, call 805-927-2070.
California State Parks encourages visitors to take photographs provided they do so only for personal enjoyment and without the use of tripods or flash. Photography for publication requires written permission. For more information, call 805-927-2074.
Adults with small children may find the stairs, museum restrictions and group format challenging. Strollers are not permitted.
Large, bulky backpacks, folding chairs, camera bags, etc., are not allowed due to the narrow hallways and numerous stairs. No food or drink is permitted on tours.
The Castle is decorated for Christmas throughout the month of December.
The Castle can be reserved for special events and tours. For more information, call 805-927-2070.
Facilities
The Hearst Castle Visitor Center is located at the foot of "The Enchanted Hill", right off Highway 1 and houses the following facilities:
•W.R. Hearst Exhibit
•Food Services
•Gift Shop
•Museum Gift Shop
•National Geographic Hearst Castle Theater
•Ample Parking for cars and recreational vehicles
There are a few picnic tables near the parking area, but no overnight facilities are available.
The Hearst Castle Visitor Center is located at the foot of "The Enchanted Hill", right off Highway 1 and houses the following facilities:
•W.R. Hearst Exhibit
•Food Services
•Gift Shop
•Museum Gift Shop
•National Geographic Hearst Castle Theater
•Ample Parking for cars and recreational vehicles
There are a few picnic tables near the parking area, but no overnight facilities are available.
Tours
All tours include a half mile walk and 150 to 400 stairs. Daytime tours take about 1 hour and 45 minutes, including bus trips to and from the Visitor Center. The Experience Tour/Tour 1 is recommended for first-time visitors.
Tours depart from the Visitor Center by bus at the time printed on the ticket. An audio tape program provides background information during the 15 minute, 5-mile trip to the Castle.
To start your tour, you will board a bus at the Visitor Center that takes you to the Castle at the top of the hill. At the end of each Tour, you must go back down to the Visitor Center on the bus, even if you have tickets for another tour. Allow at least 2 hours between tour starting times.
Since all the tours entail considerable walking and stair climbing, you should wear comfortable shoes. Although Tour 1 is considered the least strenuous, tours are not recommended for persons with crutches, walking aids, or medical problems such as heart conditions.
All tours include the Neptune Pool, a Greco-Roman outdoor pool, and the Roman Pool, an indoor pool lined with Venetian glass and gold.
All tours include a half mile walk and 150 to 400 stairs. Daytime tours take about 1 hour and 45 minutes, including bus trips to and from the Visitor Center. The Experience Tour/Tour 1 is recommended for first-time visitors.
Tours depart from the Visitor Center by bus at the time printed on the ticket. An audio tape program provides background information during the 15 minute, 5-mile trip to the Castle.
To start your tour, you will board a bus at the Visitor Center that takes you to the Castle at the top of the hill. At the end of each Tour, you must go back down to the Visitor Center on the bus, even if you have tickets for another tour. Allow at least 2 hours between tour starting times.
Since all the tours entail considerable walking and stair climbing, you should wear comfortable shoes. Although Tour 1 is considered the least strenuous, tours are not recommended for persons with crutches, walking aids, or medical problems such as heart conditions.
All tours include the Neptune Pool, a Greco-Roman outdoor pool, and the Roman Pool, an indoor pool lined with Venetian glass and gold.
Accessible Features
Parking: Accessible parking is available. Routes of travel to the ticket area are generally accessible. Bus transportation from the Visitors Center to the castle includes seating for two wheelchairs. Accessible tours are described below.
Visitor Center: The ticket and information area is accessible, as is the exhibit building and gallery. Exhibits are generally accessibly designed. Assistance is available in the gift shop, snack bar, and other concessions to reach some items. Restrooms throughout the area are accessible.
Hearst Castle Theater: Accessible wheelchair areas with companion seating, assistive listening devices and accessible restrooms are available. Presentations with captions are available upon request.
Accessible Tour Programs
Tour #6: This tour combines accessible elements of all four public tours for persons with limited mobility. Individuals that have difficulty with stairs, walking, or standing for long periods should consider this tour. Visitors are transported between terraces via electric carts that can hold up to four persons and up to two wheelchairs per accessible tour. Wheel chairs are available for loan. In addition, assistive devices, touchable artifacts, and Braille transcripts are available upon request. Sign language interpreters may be arranged with advance notice. Tours may link up with general tours at certain accessible locations. Three to six accessible tours are offered daily, and are very popular. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Larger groups should make advance arrangements. Please use the hearstcastle.com website link in Overview above for critical details on wheelchair tours.
Gardens and Vistas Tour: This self-guided tour is designed to allow visitors the unique opportunity to enjoy the gardens and magnificent views from the hilltop estate at their own pace, but it does not allow entry to the historic buildings. Guides are available to answer questions and to transport visitors with limited mobility between terrace elevations. Maps will be provided to visitors indicating the pathway areas throughout the grounds that are available for viewing and guidebooks are also be available for purchase for visitors who would like more detailed information or as a keepsake of their experience.
Restroom: Accessible portable restrooms are located on the back terrace of the castle.
Be the first to add a trip in this destination!Parking: Accessible parking is available. Routes of travel to the ticket area are generally accessible. Bus transportation from the Visitors Center to the castle includes seating for two wheelchairs. Accessible tours are described below.
Visitor Center: The ticket and information area is accessible, as is the exhibit building and gallery. Exhibits are generally accessibly designed. Assistance is available in the gift shop, snack bar, and other concessions to reach some items. Restrooms throughout the area are accessible.
Hearst Castle Theater: Accessible wheelchair areas with companion seating, assistive listening devices and accessible restrooms are available. Presentations with captions are available upon request.
Accessible Tour Programs
Tour #6: This tour combines accessible elements of all four public tours for persons with limited mobility. Individuals that have difficulty with stairs, walking, or standing for long periods should consider this tour. Visitors are transported between terraces via electric carts that can hold up to four persons and up to two wheelchairs per accessible tour. Wheel chairs are available for loan. In addition, assistive devices, touchable artifacts, and Braille transcripts are available upon request. Sign language interpreters may be arranged with advance notice. Tours may link up with general tours at certain accessible locations. Three to six accessible tours are offered daily, and are very popular. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Larger groups should make advance arrangements. Please use the hearstcastle.com website link in Overview above for critical details on wheelchair tours.
Gardens and Vistas Tour: This self-guided tour is designed to allow visitors the unique opportunity to enjoy the gardens and magnificent views from the hilltop estate at their own pace, but it does not allow entry to the historic buildings. Guides are available to answer questions and to transport visitors with limited mobility between terrace elevations. Maps will be provided to visitors indicating the pathway areas throughout the grounds that are available for viewing and guidebooks are also be available for purchase for visitors who would like more detailed information or as a keepsake of their experience.
Restroom: Accessible portable restrooms are located on the back terrace of the castle.
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