Hearst Castle
A Can’t-Miss Attraction in San Simeon
The most popular attraction in San Simeon and one of California’s top vacation attractions, Hearst Castle was built in 1919 by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst as his own personal residence. Since his passing in the 1950s, the property has been operated as the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, attracting millions of visitors each year. Both a National Historic Landmark and a California Historical Landmark, Hearst Castle is nestled high above the village of San Simeon, about five miles from the coast, offering guests breathtaking ocean views.
A museum like no other, visitors of Hearst Castle can take tours into various parts of the residence and property, including the Grand Rooms, Upstairs Suites, and Cottages & Kitchens. Each tour offers a unique glimpse into Hearst’s life providing visitors with a chance to explore his personal collection of rare and ancient works of art while experiencing what it must have been like to be a guest of William Randolph Hearst’s.