California - Hearst Castle questions

I did a search and couldn't find the answer to my questions regarding Hearst Castle; I'm hoping somebody here will be able to help me out.

1. How many of the tours do you need to purchase to see the whole castle?
2. Where can I stay that is around there or should I just plan on doing this as a day trip?
3. Where would you recommend eating after visiting the castle?

Thanks for any help!

If you've never been, by all means take Tour 1 and watch the film as well. That should take about 2.5 hours. Depending on the time of year, I'd consider doing the garden tour as well.

http://www.hearstcastle.com/tours/

San Luis Obisbo is about 30 min south of San Simeon. IIRC there is an Embassy Suites there, but you really should stay here:

http://www.madonnainn.com/ ;)

Driving to San Simeon from the Bay Area would be one long drive and kill most of the day. The farthest day trip I would do would be Monterey from the north and Santa Barbara from the south

1. How many of the tours do you need to purchase to see the whole castle?

I would not worry about seeing "the whole castle" as unless you're there as something other than a tourist... (like an architectural intern) ...you aren't going to.... parts of the place are not open to the public. Of course, why you'd want to hit the basement, the servant's kitchen, the garage, or some of the obscure nooks and crannies is a little baffling, eh? :rolleyes::D

Look at their websites and decide which tours sound interesting. Hit those.

2. Where can I stay that is around there or should I just plan on doing this as a day trip?

It's a heck of a LONG day trip from San Francisco...with over 500 miles of driving round trip... Assuming you go down 101 to Paso Robles, cut over to the coast via CA-46, and then take US-1 up to San Simeon it's roughly 250 miles (Highway 1 is slightly shorter at 215 miles, but MUCH slower as 70 miles of that would be a winding 2 lane road).

You can certainly find motels & hotels (and places to eat) nearby in San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, Moro Bay, Atascadero, Paso Robles, or San Luis Obisbo.

I go to this area once or twice a year and I would recommend staying in San Simeon or Cambria rather than the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo.

It will take you about 3.5 to 4.5 hours roughly to drive to SS from SF. Then, if you're going to do two, three or four tours of the Castle each one takes a couple of hours, you're not going to want to drive to San Luis Obispo. In fact, it sound like you probably want to stay a couple of days in the SS area. I would recommend Cambria, personally. It's got a cute little town and several restaurants. There are hotels in town or on the ocean (across the street, actually).

Bear in mind, too, there are several wineries along (state road?) 46 at which you might want to stop and enjoy a tasting session.

Also, approximately 7 miles north on highway 1 from the Hearst Castle driveway there is a sanctuary for elephant seals. There's a nice boardwalk and usually docents around to answer questions. Of course, the presence of the e.seals is dependent on the season. Right now you might be getting some of the males coming in. It's usually better in Dec/Jan for pupping and mating season.

When are you going??

DD

I did all the available tours years ago when I visited Hearst Castle - a great time that I highly recommend. If you've never seen the movie "Citizen Kane" try to see it before going on your trip. The movie is semi-biographical of William Hearst. If you do have a strong interest in the architecture of the Castle try to spend some time in Berkeley on the trip and visit other buildings designed (or partly designed) by Julia Morgan.

I would definitely stay in Cambria. It's an interesting little town and there are some very decent motels and B&B's along Moonstone Beach just north of town.

(except some SF'ers have been ot Hearst Castle) I am moving to thread to the ore general California forum where it will get lots of good response.

thanks

squeakr
MOD SF Forum

If you are looking for an inexpensive stay, then there are several ok places right along Highway 1 in San Simeon. They are "motel" rather than "fine hotel" but some are decent and offer breakfast + wifi. If you do this, there are a couple of decent restaurants within walking distance of all the hotels in the area. I like a little place right next door to the Quality Inn called the Manta Rey (sic).

For a bit nicer, quirkier place, the aforementioned B&B and hotel row along Moonstone Drive in Cambria can be very nice. We often rent a house for a week in this area but several of the inns and lodges are quite nice.

All of the above are within 10-15 minutes drive to/from the Hearst Castle parking area and right along the shore. San Luis Obispo will offer somewhat higher end accommodations but is a bit of a drive for my tastes.