Mommy's cuddle bug
Hearst Castle is located near the unincorporated community of San Simeon, California approximately 250 miles (400 km) from both Los Angeles and San Francisco, and 43 miles (69 km) from San Luis Obispo at the northern end of San Luis Obispo County. The estate itself is five miles (eight kilometers) inland atop a hill of the Santa Lucia Range at an altitude of 1,600 feet (490 m). The region is sparsely populated because the Santa Lucia Range abuts the Pacific Ocean, which provides dramatic seaside vistas but few opportunities for development and hampered transportation. The surrounding countryside visible from the mansion remains largely undeveloped. Its entrance is adjacent to San Simeon State Park.
Hearst Castle was built on Rancho Piedra Blanca that William Randolph Hearst's father, George Hearst, originally purchased in 1865. The younger Hearst grew fond of this site over many childhood family camping trips. He inherited the ranch, which had grown to 250,000 acres (1,012 km2) and fourteen miles (21 km) of coastline, from his mother Phoebe Hearst in 1919.[2] Although the large ranch already had a Victorian mansion, the location selected for Hearst Castle was undeveloped, atop a steep hill whose ascent was a dirt path accessible only by foot or on horseback over five miles (8 km) of cutbacks.
Jeremy, Jack & Abi hanging out while we wait for our tour
The South Family
You ride a bus up the winding road that leads to the entrance of Hearst Castle
Arial view
Arial view
Jeremy & Abi at the beginning of our tour
Jack a little bord decided to climb down one of the many stair cases.
We took the
Grand Rooms Tour
This tour is recommended for first-time visitors. It also has the fewest stairs to climb. Every evening, W. R. Hearst’s guests gathered in the grand social rooms on the ground floor of Casa Grande (his formal name for the twin-towered building, or main house). Follow their footsteps and experience what it was like to be a guest at The Enchanted Hill—known today as Hearst Castle. At the end of the guided portion of your tour, stroll on your own through the gardens and wander at your leisure around the Neptune Pool and the Roman Pool—just as Mr. Hearst’s guests did in the 1920s and 1930s.
Assembly Room
Evenings began in this huge living room, with cocktails, conversation, and a chance to meet your host. Its walls are lined with walnut paneling and vivid tapestries, all dating back to the 16th century. Neoclassical marble statues brighten the corners and fine bronze sculptures sit atop the large tables. But the jigsaw puzzles, poker table, and comfy overstuffed chairs show that the Assembly Room was also a place for socializing and fun
Refectory
All meals were served in this splendid dining room. Mr. Hearst and his architect Julia Morgan named it the Refectory, the term for a monastery dining hall. Its high windows, bright silk banners, and gleaming silver candlesticks convey the atmosphere of a church from the middle ages. When we see the mustard and ketchup bottles sitting on the long tables, however, we realize that Mr. Hearst liked to keep things informal at the ranch
Billiard Room
Guests could play both billiards and pool in this impressive game room, which is also decorated with gaming themes. Its 15th-century Spanish ceiling is painted with scenes of courtly life, including bullfighting and jousting. And the Flemish tapestry from 1500 shows an early-morning hunting scene
Theater
W. R. Hearst and his companion, film star Marion Davies, joined the guests every night at 11 p.m. for a full-length movie, preceded by a newsreel. Visitors will sit down to view a short film showing footage of the Castle’s talented architect Julia Morgan, Hearst and Marion Davies themselves, and many of their celebrated guests—all having a wonderful time on the Enchanted Hill
After the tour which was about 40 minutes you could then roam the gardens, grounds and pools.
Here are some additional pictures from us roaming the Castle's grounds
What a cute family!
The whole clan.
San Simeon
One of the guest houses.
After spending a couple of hours up on the castle grounds we headed back down the winding road on a bus listening to 1920's music and additional information about the Castle its grounds and what it was like back in the day.
Grandpa & a very tired Jack
Once we got back to the visitor's center we were starving to we headed to Sebastians's Store in San Simeon next door to the William R Hearst State Beach.
This is the one room school built for the workers families children to get an education, during the building of Hearst Castle
In the parking lot sits a tractor - Jack had to have a turn
So did Abigail
After a great lunch we decided to head up to Ragged Point about 10 - 20 minutes from Hearst Castle to one let the kids sleep and two to get some ice cream.
Again Abigail falls asleep and does her impression of a hot dog
Ragged Point is located 15 miles north of San Simeonn's Hearst Castle and midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco in San Luis Obispo County in a mountain region called Big Sur. Big Sur is a steep stretch of California Coastline where the roads sit atop the mountains, providing spectacular vistas to the Pacific Ocean, whales, dolphins and sheer drops to rocks or small sand beaches below. Some regions offer trails to the beach for those physically fit and wearing sturdy hiking shoes.
While the kids slept, Jeremy stayed in the car and I went with Dad & Christine to look at the gorgeous landscape of Ragged Point.
Love the beach, especially as it crashes against the rocks
The Ocean
Gardens of Ragged Point
Heading back to Cambria we stopped at the Light House which the top part along with the lense is on display on main street in Cambria.
We then headed to Moonstone Dr in Cambria and walked along the boardwalk
Sea lions sun bathing on the rocks
The South Clan
Jeremy & Jack
Jeremy & Abigail
Abigail, Jeremy, Jack
Abigail & Larkyn
Abigail, Larkyn, Jack
After talking our time on the board walk we decided again to part ways and head back to the hotel to rest. We rested until about 8:30 then headed out to pick up some Chinese from the local Chinese restaurant Dragon Bistro
We drove by the lighthouse lens/light and then headed back to our hotel for some eating resting and then finally sleeping.
To be continued...
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