Newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst's palatial 165-room estate now a California State Historic Monument
Hearst Castle, situated on a hilltop above San Simeon on California's Central Coast, is the former private estate of newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, designed by architect Julia Morgan over a construction period spanning from 1919 to 1947. The main building, La Casa Grande, contains 38 bedrooms, 42 bathrooms, 14 sitting rooms, a movie theater, a library, and two celebrated swimming pools, set within 127 acres of formal gardens and terraces alongside three guest cottages — Casa del Mar, Casa del Monte, and Casa del Sol. Hearst and Morgan drew on European Baroque and Renaissance ecclesiastical architecture for the facade of La Casa Grande, incorporating twin towers loosely modeled on the Cathedral of Ronda in Spain. The interiors are an eclectic accumulation of period European rooms: antique carved ceilings brought piece by piece from Spanish monasteries and abbeys, 16th-century Flemish tapestries, ancient Greek pottery, Roman mosaic fragments, and paintings by Dutch and Flemish masters of the 17th century. The Neptune Pool, an outdoor marble swimming pool framed by original Greek and Roman architectural fragments and temple facades, is considered one of the most celebrated private pools ever constructed. The Roman Pool, an indoor natatorium clad entirely in Venetian glass mosaic tiles inlaid with gold leaf, is equally dramatic. Julia Morgan's engineering achievements at the hilltop site are as remarkable as its artistic contents; working without reliable road access for much of the construction period, she designed reinforced concrete structures capable of bearing the weight of imported European stone and antique materials while maintaining the appearance of authentic historic masonry. The castle was donated to the State of California in 1957 by the Hearst Corporation and is now a California State Historic Monument administered by California State Parks. Guided tours are the only means of access; several options cover different areas of the estate, and the Grand Rooms Tour is the recommended starting point for first-time visitors.
Why it matters
Hearst Castle is the most ambitious privately commissioned architectural project in 20th-century California, housing one of the largest privately assembled collections of European and ancient art and antiques in the United States, and stands as an enduring monument to the cultural aspirations and concentrated wealth of the Gilded Age press industry.
Location
35.6853, -121.1686 View on map
Highlights
- Neptune Pool — outdoor marble swimming pool incorporating original Greek and Roman architectural fragments
- Roman Pool — indoor natatorium lined entirely in Venetian glass mosaic tiles with gold leaf
- La Casa Grande Assembly Room with a 400-year-old Flemish tapestry and a carved Spanish ceiling
- Library housing one of the largest privately assembled collections of ancient Greek pottery in the United States
- Julia Morgan's engineering achievement of constructing a 165-room hilltop estate in reinforced concrete clad in authentic European stone
Tips for visiting
- Book tours online at hearstcastle.org in advance — the Grand Rooms Tour is the best starting point for a first visit
- Evening tours offered seasonally feature candlelight effects and period-costumed docents, and sell out weeks ahead
- The estate sits at 1,600 feet elevation — a layer of warm clothing is advisable even in summer due to coastal fog
- Photography is permitted on all tours including interiors; tripods are not permitted but camera and phone photography is welcome
- Allow 20 minutes at the visitor center at the base of the hill for the introductory film before boarding the shuttle
- All access is via park shuttle from the visitor center — personal vehicles cannot drive to the castle
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Hearst Castle tour take?
Each guided tour runs approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Visitors who take two tours in one day can expect a total visit of 2.5 to 3 hours including shuttle time and the visitor center.
Do tours need to be booked in advance?
Yes. Tours sell out regularly, especially in summer and on weekends. Booking at least one to two weeks in advance through hearstcastle.org is strongly advised.
Is Hearst Castle accessible for visitors with mobility limitations?
A specialized accessibility tour covering most areas by wheelchair is available. Contact California State Parks in advance to arrange, as standard tours involve significant stair climbing.
Can children visit Hearst Castle?
Yes. Children under 5 are admitted free. The architecture, pools, and the history of Hearst's private zoo engage younger visitors, though interior tours require quiet behavior in furnished rooms.