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San Simeon State Park is one of the oldest units of the California State Park System. The coastal bluffs and promontories of the scenic park offer unobstructed views of the ocean and rocky shore. The park includes the Santa Rosa Creek Natural Preserve, the San Simeon Natural Preserve and the Pa-nu Cultural Preserve which were established in 1990.
A 3.3-mile trail runs through parts of the San Simeon Natural Preserve and the Washburn Campground. The trail includes scenic overlooks, rest-stop benches and interpretive panels with information on wildlife and habitat. A portion of the trail along the seasonal wetland is wheelchair accessible.
• Santa Rosa Creek Preserve is an area which includes valuable riparian forests and coastal wetlands that provide habitat for endangered Tidewater Goby.
• San Simeon Natural Preserve consists of vast wetlands, riparian areas, and several undisturbed native plant communities including unique mima mound topography. The Preserve is also the wintering site for monarch butterfly populations.
• The 13.7 acre Pa-nu Cultural Preserve contains the most significant archeological site within San Simeon State Park. The site has been dated to 5850 years before the present, and it contains significant evidence documenting prehistoric technology, subsistence practices and social organization over the course of several centuries.
Getting There
San Simeon State Park is located 35 miles north of San Luis Obispo on Highway 1, and 5 miles south of the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument Visitor Center. The community of Cambria is located 2 miles to the South and offers gas stations and grocery stores.
San Simeon, CA - Latitude/Longitude: 35.6438 / -121.1897
San Simeon State Park is located 35 miles north of San Luis Obispo on Highway 1, and 5 miles south of the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument Visitor Center. The community of Cambria is located 2 miles to the South and offers gas stations and grocery stores.
San Simeon, CA - Latitude/Longitude: 35.6438 / -121.1897
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
The Mediterranean climate is typically mild with average daytime highs of 69 degrees and evening lows of 42 degrees. Rain is most likely from January through March. Spring and summer are pleasant during the day, cooling in the evening as wind moves fog in from the ocean.
The Mediterranean climate is typically mild with average daytime highs of 69 degrees and evening lows of 42 degrees. Rain is most likely from January through March. Spring and summer are pleasant during the day, cooling in the evening as wind moves fog in from the ocean.
Camping & Other Activities
In addition to Hearst Castle tours, the Hearst Castle Visitor Center, and the Coastal Discovery Center, park activities include camping, hiking, picnicking, beach walking, windsurfing, kayaking, fishing, surfing, viewing elephant seals and tide-pooling.
San Simeon Creek Campground
The San Simeon Creek Campground offers 115 campsites for tent camping or recreational vehicles. The maximum length for a RV is 35 feet. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. Water spigots are available throughout the campground. Restrooms with flush toilets and coin operated showers, a dump station and water fill-up for RV's, and pay phones are also available. Firewood is for sale from the campground host.
Recreational activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, surfing, beachcombing, bird watching and whale watching. The Junior Ranger Program is a regularly scheduled interpretive program for children. Interpretive walks of the San Simeon Trail may also be available.
Washburn Campground
This primitive campground is approximately 1 mile inland from the beach on a plateau overlooking the Santa Lucia mountains as well as the Pacific Ocean. Washburn campground can be accessed from the San Simeon Creek Campground entrance station. Facilities here include a fire ring and picnic table at each campsite, water spigots, chemical flush toilets and use of the dump station and water fill-up.
In addition to Hearst Castle tours, the Hearst Castle Visitor Center, and the Coastal Discovery Center, park activities include camping, hiking, picnicking, beach walking, windsurfing, kayaking, fishing, surfing, viewing elephant seals and tide-pooling.
San Simeon Creek Campground
The San Simeon Creek Campground offers 115 campsites for tent camping or recreational vehicles. The maximum length for a RV is 35 feet. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. Water spigots are available throughout the campground. Restrooms with flush toilets and coin operated showers, a dump station and water fill-up for RV's, and pay phones are also available. Firewood is for sale from the campground host.
Recreational activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, surfing, beachcombing, bird watching and whale watching. The Junior Ranger Program is a regularly scheduled interpretive program for children. Interpretive walks of the San Simeon Trail may also be available.
Washburn Campground
This primitive campground is approximately 1 mile inland from the beach on a plateau overlooking the Santa Lucia mountains as well as the Pacific Ocean. Washburn campground can be accessed from the San Simeon Creek Campground entrance station. Facilities here include a fire ring and picnic table at each campsite, water spigots, chemical flush toilets and use of the dump station and water fill-up.
Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle was the historic estate of William Randolph Hearst—newspaper publisher, movie producer and art collector. Built on a hilltop in San Simeon overlooking the Pacific Ocean, “La Cuesta Encantada” was the creation of Mr. Hearst and world-renowned architect Julia Morgan. Construction began in 1919 and continued until 1947. The Mediterranean Revival-style home houses a collection of art from all over the world. In addition to his fine arts collection, William Randolph Hearst established landscaped gardens and a private zoo on the property. Descendants of some of the zoo animals, including zebras, can sometimes be seen today grazing on the green hillsides. During the 1920s and 1930s, famous guests arrived at this magnificent country house by car, train and airplane.
Donated to the State in December 1957 by the Hearst Corporation, the estate was opened to the public on June 2, 1958. Hearst Castle, an accredited member of the American Association of Museums, offers guided, year-round tours. Call 800-444-4445 or visit their website for reservations
Hearst Castle was the historic estate of William Randolph Hearst—newspaper publisher, movie producer and art collector. Built on a hilltop in San Simeon overlooking the Pacific Ocean, “La Cuesta Encantada” was the creation of Mr. Hearst and world-renowned architect Julia Morgan. Construction began in 1919 and continued until 1947. The Mediterranean Revival-style home houses a collection of art from all over the world. In addition to his fine arts collection, William Randolph Hearst established landscaped gardens and a private zoo on the property. Descendants of some of the zoo animals, including zebras, can sometimes be seen today grazing on the green hillsides. During the 1920s and 1930s, famous guests arrived at this magnificent country house by car, train and airplane.
Donated to the State in December 1957 by the Hearst Corporation, the estate was opened to the public on June 2, 1958. Hearst Castle, an accredited member of the American Association of Museums, offers guided, year-round tours. Call 800-444-4445 or visit their website for reservations
Natural History
The diverse habitats of these two parks include wetlands, seashore, grassland, coastal scrub and riparian areas.
Geology
This part of the coastline consists mostly of geologically young alluvial sediment and older marine terrace deposits. In the park, Cambria slab sandstone - visible at Leffingwell Landing – becomes Franciscan mélange toward the north. The mélange material is a mixture of sandstone, chert, basalt, greenstone, serpentine, shale, eclogite and blueschist. This assemblage contains all three rock types - igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic - and has a jumbled appearance. Low, rolling mima mounds, a unique geological feature in some of the park’s grasslands, are found near vernal pools - seasonal pools with abundant plant and animal life.
Wildlife
Bobcats and coyotes hunt for brush rabbits, gray tree squirrels and California ground squirrels; black-tail deer graze on hillsides. Sensitive species include California red-legged frogs, tidewater gobies, steelhead trout, Western snowy plovers, golden eagles and longbilled curlews. From November to February, monarch butterflies roost in the Monterey pines. Bird watchers will be amazed by the diverse number of birds to see at the beach, in the wetlands and on the trails. Look for black phoebes, white-tailed kites, mergansers, egrets and black oystercatchers. Low tides reveal tide pools with seastars, chitons, limpets, turban snails, barnacles and fish.
Please leave the plants and animals of the tide pools undisturbed; they are vulnerable to human impact and are protected by law. From December to April, gray whales migrate past this stretch of coastline on their way to and from feeding grounds in Alaska to birthing waters in Mexico. Don’t miss the fascinating northern elephant seals. From December to March, they can easily be seen resting, having pups, battling and mating on the beach up the road from San Simeon Bay at scenic vista points on the coast side of Highway 1.
Plants
Native plant communities include riparian, wetland, Monterey pine forest, oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, coastal strand and grassland. Look for willow, coast live oak, cottonwood, wax myrtle, blackberry bushes and a great display of seasonal wildflowers. Take a hike through the Monterey pine forest - one of only five native groups left in the world –on the Hearst San Simeon State Park Nature Trail, reachable from the campground and the Washburn day-use area. The park is home to rare and endangered plants, including maritime ceanothus, dwarf goldenstars, Arroyo de la Cruz manzanita, adobe sanicle, Hickman’s onion, Blochman’s dudleya and Arroyo de la Cruz mariposa lily. Prairie grasslands are among the area’s native plant communities.
The diverse habitats of these two parks include wetlands, seashore, grassland, coastal scrub and riparian areas.
Geology
This part of the coastline consists mostly of geologically young alluvial sediment and older marine terrace deposits. In the park, Cambria slab sandstone - visible at Leffingwell Landing – becomes Franciscan mélange toward the north. The mélange material is a mixture of sandstone, chert, basalt, greenstone, serpentine, shale, eclogite and blueschist. This assemblage contains all three rock types - igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic - and has a jumbled appearance. Low, rolling mima mounds, a unique geological feature in some of the park’s grasslands, are found near vernal pools - seasonal pools with abundant plant and animal life.
Wildlife
Bobcats and coyotes hunt for brush rabbits, gray tree squirrels and California ground squirrels; black-tail deer graze on hillsides. Sensitive species include California red-legged frogs, tidewater gobies, steelhead trout, Western snowy plovers, golden eagles and longbilled curlews. From November to February, monarch butterflies roost in the Monterey pines. Bird watchers will be amazed by the diverse number of birds to see at the beach, in the wetlands and on the trails. Look for black phoebes, white-tailed kites, mergansers, egrets and black oystercatchers. Low tides reveal tide pools with seastars, chitons, limpets, turban snails, barnacles and fish.
Please leave the plants and animals of the tide pools undisturbed; they are vulnerable to human impact and are protected by law. From December to April, gray whales migrate past this stretch of coastline on their way to and from feeding grounds in Alaska to birthing waters in Mexico. Don’t miss the fascinating northern elephant seals. From December to March, they can easily be seen resting, having pups, battling and mating on the beach up the road from San Simeon Bay at scenic vista points on the coast side of Highway 1.
Plants
Native plant communities include riparian, wetland, Monterey pine forest, oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, coastal strand and grassland. Look for willow, coast live oak, cottonwood, wax myrtle, blackberry bushes and a great display of seasonal wildflowers. Take a hike through the Monterey pine forest - one of only five native groups left in the world –on the Hearst San Simeon State Park Nature Trail, reachable from the campground and the Washburn day-use area. The park is home to rare and endangered plants, including maritime ceanothus, dwarf goldenstars, Arroyo de la Cruz manzanita, adobe sanicle, Hickman’s onion, Blochman’s dudleya and Arroyo de la Cruz mariposa lily. Prairie grasslands are among the area’s native plant communities.
History
Park History
Hearst San Simeon State Park and Historical Monument were both part of a Rancheria during the mission era—an access point for goods shipped to and from Monterey’s Mission San Antonio. In 1932 the State acquired more than 500 acres of beach and inland parcels from local ranchers to establish the state park. The Washburn Day-Use Area was a gravel quarry until the late 1920s, before it became a part of the park. In 2005 the Hearst Corporation donated 1,131 additional acres, expanding the California Coastal Trail and protecting this exceptional example of California’s biological diversity, natural and cultural resources and unmatched scenery.
Area History
Archaeological evidence suggests that ancestors of today’s Chumash and Salinan people inhabited this part of the coast for thousands of years, adapting to climatic and environmental changes. They traveled from the coast to the interior valleys, following the abundant marine and terrestrial resources. Their diet included fish, shellfish, wild game, waterfowl and the grasses and seeds found inland. Clothing, shelter and tools were made from resources available in the immediate area; the natives traded other groups for those goods that could not be procured or produced locally.
In 1769 the first European overland expedition, led by Gaspar de Portolá, made its way up the coast of California, clearing the way for Spanish missionaries. The mission system brought drastic, permanent change in the lifeways of the indigenous people, who now had to adopt new means of subsistence. Local missions included Mission San Antonio de Padua (1771), with an outpost at San Carpoforo Creek; Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa (1772), within 50 miles of San Simeon; and Mission
San Miguel Archangel (1779), with an outpost at San Simeon. The typical mission landscape included ranch stations, aqueducts, quarries, kilns, crop lands and grazing. In some areas entire native plant communities were destroyed by the heavy grazing of mission livestock.
In 1833 Mexican government officials gave out the newly secularized mission holdings as land grants. They divided the former mission properties into three ranchos: Piedra Blanca, Santa Rosa, and San Simeon. Cattle ranching was still the major enterprise, as it had been during the mission period. Taking advantage of the annual gray whale migration between Baja California and Alaska, Portuguese whaler Joseph Clark established a whaling station at San Simeon Bay in 1852. From December to April, whale spotters on the bluffs watched for the white plumes of spray as a whale surfaced. Small boats were then launched to capture the whale and haul it into the station for processing. At the peak of the whaling period, forty-five buildings - including a general store, a blacksmith shop, a barber shop and a saloon - stood at San Simeon, and twenty-two families lived on the point. The whaling station’s general store is the only building dating back to San Simeon’s whaling days.
San Simeon: Roads into this remote section of the coast were almost nonexistent until about 1850. Sailing vessels and steamships stopped at San Simeon to deliver freight and load cargoes of mining and agricultural equipment for delivery to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Around 1850 the horse trail between San Simeon and San Luis Obispo was expanded, allowing small carts to take agricultural products to San Simeon for shipment. However, the trail was passable only seasonally, and shipping by steamer continued for another twenty years. Later, gasoline-powered trucks and railroad service to San Luis Obispo brought about changes in shipping patterns. By 1915 the practice of shipping by steamer had ended. In 1937 the highway now known as California State Route One was completed.
The Hearst Family: In 1850 Missourian George Hearst, drawn by the gold rush, arrived in California with a degree in mining. He staked several mining claims throughout the West. Although Hearst managed several other types of businesses around the state, he made his fortune mining the Comstock, Homestake, Ontario and Anaconda mines. In 1865 Hearst began acquiring the land that would become the Hearst Ranch, where he raised cattle and race horses. That year Mr. Hearst became a member of the California State Assembly, and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1886. When he died in 1891, his wife Phoebe Apperson Hearst inherited Rancho Piedra Blanca, later adding more property that had once been the whaling station. The Hearsts’ only child, William Randolph, inherited the ranch property upon Phoebe’s death in 1919.
Park History
Hearst San Simeon State Park and Historical Monument were both part of a Rancheria during the mission era—an access point for goods shipped to and from Monterey’s Mission San Antonio. In 1932 the State acquired more than 500 acres of beach and inland parcels from local ranchers to establish the state park. The Washburn Day-Use Area was a gravel quarry until the late 1920s, before it became a part of the park. In 2005 the Hearst Corporation donated 1,131 additional acres, expanding the California Coastal Trail and protecting this exceptional example of California’s biological diversity, natural and cultural resources and unmatched scenery.
Area History
Archaeological evidence suggests that ancestors of today’s Chumash and Salinan people inhabited this part of the coast for thousands of years, adapting to climatic and environmental changes. They traveled from the coast to the interior valleys, following the abundant marine and terrestrial resources. Their diet included fish, shellfish, wild game, waterfowl and the grasses and seeds found inland. Clothing, shelter and tools were made from resources available in the immediate area; the natives traded other groups for those goods that could not be procured or produced locally.
In 1769 the first European overland expedition, led by Gaspar de Portolá, made its way up the coast of California, clearing the way for Spanish missionaries. The mission system brought drastic, permanent change in the lifeways of the indigenous people, who now had to adopt new means of subsistence. Local missions included Mission San Antonio de Padua (1771), with an outpost at San Carpoforo Creek; Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa (1772), within 50 miles of San Simeon; and Mission
San Miguel Archangel (1779), with an outpost at San Simeon. The typical mission landscape included ranch stations, aqueducts, quarries, kilns, crop lands and grazing. In some areas entire native plant communities were destroyed by the heavy grazing of mission livestock.
In 1833 Mexican government officials gave out the newly secularized mission holdings as land grants. They divided the former mission properties into three ranchos: Piedra Blanca, Santa Rosa, and San Simeon. Cattle ranching was still the major enterprise, as it had been during the mission period. Taking advantage of the annual gray whale migration between Baja California and Alaska, Portuguese whaler Joseph Clark established a whaling station at San Simeon Bay in 1852. From December to April, whale spotters on the bluffs watched for the white plumes of spray as a whale surfaced. Small boats were then launched to capture the whale and haul it into the station for processing. At the peak of the whaling period, forty-five buildings - including a general store, a blacksmith shop, a barber shop and a saloon - stood at San Simeon, and twenty-two families lived on the point. The whaling station’s general store is the only building dating back to San Simeon’s whaling days.
San Simeon: Roads into this remote section of the coast were almost nonexistent until about 1850. Sailing vessels and steamships stopped at San Simeon to deliver freight and load cargoes of mining and agricultural equipment for delivery to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Around 1850 the horse trail between San Simeon and San Luis Obispo was expanded, allowing small carts to take agricultural products to San Simeon for shipment. However, the trail was passable only seasonally, and shipping by steamer continued for another twenty years. Later, gasoline-powered trucks and railroad service to San Luis Obispo brought about changes in shipping patterns. By 1915 the practice of shipping by steamer had ended. In 1937 the highway now known as California State Route One was completed.
The Hearst Family: In 1850 Missourian George Hearst, drawn by the gold rush, arrived in California with a degree in mining. He staked several mining claims throughout the West. Although Hearst managed several other types of businesses around the state, he made his fortune mining the Comstock, Homestake, Ontario and Anaconda mines. In 1865 Hearst began acquiring the land that would become the Hearst Ranch, where he raised cattle and race horses. That year Mr. Hearst became a member of the California State Assembly, and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1886. When he died in 1891, his wife Phoebe Apperson Hearst inherited Rancho Piedra Blanca, later adding more property that had once been the whaling station. The Hearsts’ only child, William Randolph, inherited the ranch property upon Phoebe’s death in 1919.
Accessible Features
Camping
San Simeon (developed) area: Three campsites have accessibly designed tables on very small firm pads and are usable. Routes of travel: All routes to the four restrooms with showers are accessible. Restrooms with showers: Toilet facilities and showers are generally accessible.
Washburn (undeveloped) area: Three campsites are generally accessible. All have firm surfaces and accessible fire rings. Assistance may be needed with water access. Restrooms: Toilets are usable. Routes of travel from designated accessible sites are paved and generally accessible.
Trails
Moonstone Bluff Trail: This trail is a 1.0 mile beach boardwalk along the bluffs. Trailhead starts at Leffingwell Landing. Trailhead, parking and restrooms are at either Leffingwell or Santa Rosa day-use lots.
Loop Trail is accessible for 0.60 mile. Trailhead, parking and generally accessible restroom are located at Washburn day-use area.
Be the first to add a trip in this destination!Camping
San Simeon (developed) area: Three campsites have accessibly designed tables on very small firm pads and are usable. Routes of travel: All routes to the four restrooms with showers are accessible. Restrooms with showers: Toilet facilities and showers are generally accessible.
Washburn (undeveloped) area: Three campsites are generally accessible. All have firm surfaces and accessible fire rings. Assistance may be needed with water access. Restrooms: Toilets are usable. Routes of travel from designated accessible sites are paved and generally accessible.
Trails
Moonstone Bluff Trail: This trail is a 1.0 mile beach boardwalk along the bluffs. Trailhead starts at Leffingwell Landing. Trailhead, parking and restrooms are at either Leffingwell or Santa Rosa day-use lots.
Loop Trail is accessible for 0.60 mile. Trailhead, parking and generally accessible restroom are located at Washburn day-use area.
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