Hi there!

As a California native, it’s kind of insane that it has taken me so long to visit Hearst Castle. BUT I planned a weekend getaway to Cambria last month and finally had a chance to explore this historic San Simeon site.

If you’ve been thinking of going…GO! It’s such a cool, extraordinarily opulent place. It is well-worth a visit!

Here are a few things you should know before you go:

• You can ONLY visit the property with a tour.
• Tours can book up quickly, especially during peak season. Be sure to reserve your spot online ASAP! They can be booked up to 60 days in advance.
• Choosing a tour can be overwhelming (there are a lot of options!). If you’re doing just one, the Grand Rooms Tour is the way to go – it gives a great overview of the property and its history.
• If you can, I recommend doing two (or more!) tours to see more of the property. I did the Grand Rooms and Upstairs Suites tours – both were incredible.
• Yes, you can swim in the pool…if you are willing to pay $1000 for the experience (would you?)

As I was doing my research for this visit, I came across plenty of outdated information online.

A lot has changed over the years with how they operate, so a TripAdvisor post from 12 years ago wasn’t too helpful!

Right after my trip, I put together a comprehensive Hearst Castle guide. It includes all the things that I was looking for when I was planning my trip! You’ll find info on the different tours, shuttle details, and key things you should know before you go.

Here are a couple more related posts worth checking out if you are planning a trip to this part of the Central Coast:

• ​The 13 Best Things to do in Cambria, CA​
• ​Cambria Beach Lodge Review: An Honest Take On This Hotel​

Happy travels!

Kyra, Sea to Sequoia​

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