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Hearst Castle Evening Tours
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Hearst Castle is perhaps the most famous landmark along California's Pacific Coast Highway. Built by William Randolph Hearst in the 1930s, and later emulated in Citizen Kane, this 90,000-square-foot estate is the closest the West Coast comes to royalty.
The castle is an obligatory stop for anyone driving north and is well worth a visit. For the many that have already seen it, however, an LA Times article gives good reason to come back: evening tours.
Evening tours are rare. They only run Fridays and Saturdays from March through May 20 and then again from September to December. Journalist Rosemary McClure writes that such tours reveal the castle in an entirely different light, one that is enhanced by docents dressed up in period costumes who provide an air of authenticity that takes guests back to the glory days of the castle when Douglas Fairbanks and other Hollywood royalty caroused about the grounds.
Filed under: History, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
James S. Chavez-Glica May 20th 2006 2:25PM
Hearst Castle is beyond anything we imagined when we went on the tour. We were fortunate to go on two of the tours during our trip. It was well worth the money spent. The castle is phenomenal and the docents were so knowledgable that it added depth to the already spectacular environment. The art work alone is worth the trip. Add to that the ceilings, furnishings, tapestries, grounds, architecture and gold-leaf pool and you have an adventure that you will talk about for years and years to come.
Kerry F. May 20th 2006 2:34PM
I have visited Hearst Castle on many, many occasions. Let it be known that even children as young as 5 years old will enjoy visiting this attraction. The tour guides are very informative and give "special attention" to the children on the tours. Children will enjoy seeing all the wildlife and beautiful pools, as well as the "candy vase." The grounds at Hearst Castle are the most beautiful seen and once your tour is complete, visit the Hearst Pier and enjoy viewing the dolphins. As a regular visitor to the Hearst Castle, I can tell you that the evening tour is not one to miss. Although I had been on all of the tours many times before, I know I am surprised at how many beautiful aspects of this attraction can be easily missed by taking only one tour. Each and every tour is unique, but well worth returning many more times in the future.
Amanda May 20th 2006 3:38PM
I recently returned to hearst Castle. I'd been once before. On the first visit my son was still a toddler. I took a back pack carrier with me for him. There are many stairs and vistors are expected to stay on carpeted areas. It makes sense to not the toddler rome. This time my son was 7 and we took tour #2. He really enjoyed. He didn't remember having been there before. I found out you have to go back and take a different tour. You see so much more that way. Tour #1 is a good overview but you see nothing in the upstairs of the main house. The guest suites are spectacular! I would love to do the evening tour. Guys a great date would be to take your gal and dress up a little. Then go to dinner in Cambria or San Simeon.
Marie Elena May 20th 2006 3:47PM
I WOULD LOVE TO TOUR THE SITE BUT BEING AN OLD LADY AND NOTICING THEY TALK ABOUT STAIRS THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE ALTHOUGH I HAVE ENJOYED SEEING PICTURES OF IT. NICE OF THE FAMILY TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO ALL TOURISTS...MORE FUN THAT WAY THAN OWNING IT BY ITSELF AND RAMBLING AROUND IN IT.
cindy weeks May 20th 2006 3:51PM
It's got to be over 11 years since I visited the Castle, something I had wanted to do for many years. It was one attraction which sure didn't disappoint - it was a gorgeous fall day, and I'll never forget how beatiful that outdoor pool was. I also recall the heavenly scent of the roses in the garden - the docent said that Mr. Hearst preferred that the flowers not be cut. Sure made me wish we'd had time to do all of the tours - hopefully I can make it back there some day!
Peggy May 20th 2006 4:07PM
I grew up dreaming of being able to see Hearst's Castle and finally got to see it several years ago. As I thought I'd probably never get back there again, I took all four tours. There is some overlap in info from the docents, but for someone as steeped in the history of the place as I am, the overlap was not a problem. The place is assume. I'd go back in a heartbeat, particularly if I had a chance to take the evening tour. By the way, I had ordered tickets by phone and had them held at "will call" -- the customer service is terrific!
Audrey Booth May 20th 2006 4:38PM
It was about 1998 when my hubby and I visited the Hearst Castle. We stayed at a Motel across the road from where we boarded the bus that takes you up the montain to the castle. The first thing I remember was the outdoor pool with the beautiful statues. Then the huge dining room with the flags of all nations all around the edge of the ceiling and the beatiful sterliing silver lamps. The indoor pool has gold inlays. The outside guest cottages were lovely too. But the indoor theater and ensuing movie about the family and visiting movie stars was the best for me!
Karen May 20th 2006 5:11PM
This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever toured. It was 1985 when I visited the Hearst Castle. We were on our honeymoon driving down the coast from San Francisco to Los Angelos. We did not plan to stop, but saw a sign for the tours in San Simeon while my husband and I walked the beach in that area. There were various tours to pick. It was hard to choose since we wanted to see everything. Once inside, I could not believe my eyes. I had never seen anything like it in my entired life. It was the most beautiful, ornate place I had ever seen. It was like I was dreaming. I could only imagine the lifestyle that the Hearst family enjoyed. One day, I would like to return and visit the castle again someday. I would recommend anyone to visit this place most definately.
Patt Persons May 20th 2006 7:51PM
I was there many years ago and took tour #2. It seems to me at that time there were only three tours but I might be mistaken. A lot of what we saw was beautiful and some even breathtaking but I was disappointed at seeing the scaffolding around the outside and the grape arbor in bad shape. The grounds were not kept up at that time. I doubt I'll be able to go back there but from the comments I've read I sure wish I could. Seems as though it's in much better shape now than it was then.
Avis May 20th 2006 7:54PM
I would like to reply to the lady who thinks she can't tour the castle because she can't do stairs. I have a daughter who is in a wheelchair so I have checked for accessiblity options at Hearst Castle. They do offer an accessible tour without the stairs. As I recall you see the gardens and some of the ground floor rooms. We will be taking our trip the first week of July. I will come back then and comment on our tour.