”…Miss Morgan, we are tired of camping out in tents at the ranch in San Simeon, I would like to build a little something…”
This statement from William Randolph Hearst to renowned architect, Julia Morgan, is what started it all in 1919. By 1947, Mr. Hearst had created an estate boasting 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools, and walkways.
This legendary California manor sits at 1,600 feet above sea level; often just resting on the coastal fog. Hearst Castle® presents guests with a choice of five different guided tours, including daytime and evening opportunities. |
The museum shop and gift shop offer a collection of books as well as home furnishings reflective of the time period. With reproductions of classic Castle art pieces, the museum shop encourages guests to take home a piece of the Hearst Castle® experience. In addition, the National Geographic Theater at the Visitor's Center offers a five-story screen theater with regular showings of the film, Hearst Castle: Building the Dream . Experience all this and more at “The Gateway to Hearst Castle®”. |
Hearst Castle® is one of the largest of approximately 5,000 historic house museums in the U.S., with one of the most sophisticated guided tour programs in the country. Once the home of William Randolph Hearst, California State Parks strives to keep the estate looking like a private residence. |
The tours take the visitor back through time exploring the life of William Randolph Hearst and his family, the art collection, architecture, gardens and history of the Castle. Formal guide training is an integral aspect of Hearst Castle®. Castle tour guides are initially trained a total of 168 hours with additional in-service training and ongoing independent study between tours, resulting in a high quality interpretive experience for all who visit "The Enchanted Hill."
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Escorted by an experienced guide, tour Hearst Castle® and personally witness the brilliance and wonder of this historical manor.
The Experience Tour - The perfect Introduction to the Castle
Tour 1: Be a part of Hearst Castle's® most popular tour! The Experience Tour is highly recommended to first time visitors looking for an introductory overview of the Castle with the giant-screen, 40 minute companion film, Hearst Castle: Building the Dream, presented by National Geographic Theater. This tour takes you through the Esplanade and Gardens, Casa del Sol, and Casa Grande.
Advanced reservations are strongly recommended.
Additional Tours
Tour 2: The Casa Grande Tour gives guests a closer look at the main house's upper floors, Mr. Hearst's private suite, the library and kitchen. For more information, click here.
Tour 3: The Casa Grande North Tour explores the Castle's North Wing, guest rooms, and the 10-room guest house known as Casa del Monte. For more information, click here.
Tour 4: The Garden Tour features the extravagant gardens and grounds, the largest guest house, the wine cellar with at 7,000 bottle capacity, and the Hidden Terrace. For more information, click here.
Tour 5: The Evening Tour highlights tours one, two, and four. This tour allows guests to experience the Castle as one of Mr. Hearst's own visitors with members of the Living History Program. Tour reservations are highly recommended, please reserve online or call (800) 444-4445.
The National Geographic Theater
At the Visitor Center shows Hearst Castle-Building the Dream on a five-story screen. This original 40-minute large-format movie chronicles the design and construction of the Castle and includes vintage clips and stills of the castle from the 1920s and 1930s plus breathtaking aerial scenes of the Castle and the Pacific coastline.
The movie plays every 45 minutes daily (see schedule page in this folder for show times). The lobby of the Theater features a notable display of 17th-century tapestries from the Hearst collection. For more information, email Shane Wood at swood@ngtheater.com . |
The National Geographic Theater at Hearst Castle® Visitor Center is a five-story screen theater featuring the film Hearst Castle: Building the Dream - a truly amazing cinematic experience. |
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