Hearst Castle

Hours: Hearst Castle is a must-see and amazing state park on the Central Coast of California. The massive residence and grounds are spectacular, breathtaking, and amazingly beautiful with incredible, awe-inspiring views. It is a glorious and fantastic place to explore. Visits begin at the welcome center and museum down the hill, which has plenty of free parking. The ticket includes a theater presentation, recommended for viewing before or after a tour. Access to the castle itself is via a 15-minute bus ride up the mountain, highlighting its remoteness. Multiple tours are available, with the Grand Rooms tour recommended for first-time visitors to gain an overview. The tours are informative, with excellent, professional, and informative guides sharing stories of the Hearst Ranch. The main residence is spectacular, featuring ancient tapestries, furniture, and artwork. The outdoor Neptune pool, cottages, statues, gardens, and indoor pool are all magnificent and breathtaking. It is advised to go early and potentially schedule multiple tours to make a day of it, though doing several in one day involves lots of bus travel and can be rough. Allow at least two hours between tour reservation times. A disappointment is that visitors can only see the estate on a guided tour and cannot sightsee on their own after, which limits time for admiring the beautiful place. Another noted disappointment is the lack of permanent restrooms near the welcome center, with only porta potties available. The on-site shops and gift shop close at 4 PM, so any shopping must be done before the last tour departure. Despite these points, Hearst Castle remains a stunning and opulent destination with breathtaking views.

1. San Simeon, California