Hearst Castle

Perched on a hilltop 1,600 feet above the crashing waves of the Pacific, Hearst Castle is located halfway between LA and San Francisco near the town of Cambria.

June 2008 marked 50 years since Hearst Castle California opened to the public. Today, it draws more than 1 million visitors a year.

Hearst Castle is located away from most major lodging or resort, but there are plenty of hotels near Hearst Castle that are within a short drive. Look for Hearst Castle hotels in San Simeon, Cambria, Morro Bay or Pismo Beach. Two highly recommended San Simeon hotels are the Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort and The Morgan at San Simeon.

Start your San Simeon Hearst Castle tour at the Visitors Center, located right off Highway 1. The Experience Tour is one of five offered at the castle, and is recommended for first time visitors. Hearst Castle tickets sell out quickly, so advanced reservations are strongly recommended. Tours average about 2 hours.

Hopping aboard the tour bus, we begin our steep and winding ascent to the castle, listing to old time music while passing roaming herds of cattle. It's easy to imagine how invited guests felt arriving at the ranch for a week-long stay of lavish parties, good food and fine living.

William Hearst built three separate guest houses for his famous visitors, who included Hollywood glitterati, political leaders and other notables like Howard Hughes.

Passing through the main gate of Hearst's Castle, we looked down in awe at the sparkling Pacific ocean, Santa Lucia mountains and rolling green hills that inspired Hearst to build here in 1919.

The Neptune Pool, with its impressive Greco-Roman colonaddes, Vermont marble statues, remnants from Roman temples and 17th century bas reliefs, is a highlight on Hearst Castle tours. The white marble pool is 10 feet at its deepest point and 104 feet long, featuring a unique oil-burning heating system.

Hearst's visitors had their choice of the three guesthouses, and Casa del Sol is one of the most beautiful. This 8-bedroom, 2,600 square foot Moorish retreat, with sweeping views of the Pacific, opens up to Central Plaza and Casa Grande, Hearst's 60,000 square foot Medietrranean Revival style residence.

Casa Grande itself is a palatial sight. In fact, architectural historian Lord John Norwich called it a "palace in every sense of the word."

The Central Plaza outside Casa Grande is serene and beautiful, especially as the ocean breeze blows by. The plaza and outer terraces are a great spot to relax and admire the beautiful gardens, fountains, ponds and priceless sculptures.

In fact, the Hearst Castle collection includes more than 22,000 museum quality artifacts, shipped from around the world, including ornately carved ancient European ceilings and exquisite tapestries.

There are 14 sitting rooms in Casa Grande, but the Assembly Room was where Hearst's guests gathered around 6:30 p.m. to enjoy cocktails, play cards, or enjoy a game of Monopoly before dinner. The estate has 41 fireplaces!

At 8 p.m., guests moved in to the Refectory, the only dining room in the castle. Here, Hearst enjoyed lavish meals with his mistress Marion Davies and about 15 famous visitors, always making sure there was plenty of ketchup, pickles and mustard to go around. Heart's favorite dish was rare pressed duck

The kitchen, built in 1927, featured electric appliances and the latest in modern conveniences for its time. It looks much like it did during its heyday, including spoons for enjoying bone marrow, a delicacy at the time. Hearst employed 15 chefs, waiters, butlers and maids.

After enjoying a fine meal, guests retreated to the 50-seat Movie Theater or took a dip in the Indoor Roman pool, styled after the Italian Baths of Caracalla and Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.

To learn more about Hearst Castle history, visit Friends of Hearst Castle, www.friendsofhearstcastle.org

To check on the latest Hearst Castle discount packages or to book a Hearst Castle reservation, visit 1-800-444-4445; www.hearstcastle.org

Tours for Mobility Impaired: 1-805-927-2020