On a hilltop in the Santa Lucia Mountains, a 127-acre estate rises in classic grandeur. This is La Cuesta Encantada (“The Enchanted Hill”), the one-time home of publisher William Randolph Hearst.
Hearst Castle History
Construction began on Hearst Castle in 1922 and continued until 1949.
The center of the estate is Casa Grande, a vast 130-room Mediterranean Revival mansion. It is surrounded by terraced gardens and shaded walkways.
Nestled among these gardens are three “cottages” or guest houses, each grand enough to be called a mansion in another company. Fountains, pools, and marble spillways carry cool water through the gardens of the estate.
Today it is maintained by the California Park Service and is commonly known as Hearst Castle.
Hearst Castle Visitor Information
The interior of Hearst Castle is rich in art treasures, including Greek pieces more than 2500 years old. The estate is a complete museum as well as one of the most lavish residences constructed in modern times.
Opening Hours
Hearst Castle is open for tours daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Four daytime tours and one Evening Tour are available.
Day tours begin at 8:20 A.M. daily. The last tour starts at 3:20 P.M. in winter, later in summer. Daytime tours take about 1 hour and 45 minutes
Admission
Day tours are $14.00 for adults and $8.00 for children 6-12. The Evening Tour is $25.00 for Adults and $13.00 for Children 6-12.
Web site: http://www.hearstcastle.org
Hearst Castle Location
Hearst Castle is located along California Highway 1, about 40 miles north of San Louis Obispo. Get help with directions: