profile

Sea to Sequoia

Finally Checked Hearst Castle Off My Bucket List!

Published 3 months ago • 1 min read

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As I was doing my research for this visit, I came across plenty of outdated information online.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

Happy travels!

Kyra, Sea to Sequoia​

Follow along on Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, & Pinterest

12605 Ventura Blvd #1092, Studio City, CA 91604
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Sea to Sequoia

Kyra | California Travel Blogger

California native based in sunny Los Angeles sharing hyper-detailed itineraries, travel recommendations, and must-visit destinations in the Golden State & beyond!

Read more from Sea to Sequoia

Hi there! I’m taking a quick detour from California for a moment to talk about one of my favorite Hawaiian islands: Kauai! I re-visited for the first time in about 10 years last month, so it was nice to get to dive into the beauty of “the Garden Isle”. A few highlights: Doing a sunset cruise along the Na Pali Coast (truly a must if you’re planning a Kauai trip!) Exploring Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Parks Seeing sea turtles at Poipu Beach Hiking the first two miles of the Kalalau Trail on...

12 days ago • 1 min read

Hi there! Summer is just a few weeks away! If you’re still thinking through your travel plans, I put together a mini guide to six of my favorite summer vacation-worthy destinations in California. Hopefully it can inspire you to book a trip and get out and explore this summer! Quick note: this email contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on the URL and make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Cambria Make your way to the Central Coast for a little getaway...

about 1 month ago • 3 min read

Hi there! I’ve been working on a batch of travel guides for San Diego (my hometown!). It’s been fun to look at America’s Finest City through the lens of a visitor! Writing these guides has given me a chance to revisit some of my favorite spots throughout the county, and I wanted to share a few of them. If you are thinking of making your way to San Diego (or live in the area and are looking for something to do!), here are some gems to consider adding to your itinerary. The Self-Realization...

3 months ago • 2 min read