Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument Travel Page by SteveOSF

The former mansion of publisher William Randolph Hearst, this lavish structure is filled with priceless artwork and antiques. It remains a monument to the opulence of the elite of the early half of the twentieth century. Nevertheless, the estate is fascinating. It has a lot to offer from architecture, art, and historical perspectives. The castle was in perpetual construction and change during the years Mr. Hearst occupied the mansion. Grand parties were hosted there by Mr. Hearst and Miss Marion Davies. It has spectacular pools, tennis courts, a movie theater, and countless guestrooms.

San Francisco born Julia Morgan was the architect for the mansion. She was one of the first women to graduate from University of California at Berkeley with a degree in civil engineering. She was also the first woman to graduate from the prestigious architectural school Ecole Nationale in Paris.

The castle grounds, but not all of the original estate, was donated to the State of California after Mr. Hearst's death. It has been dedicated as a State Historical Monument and is now administered by the park service. To see the castle and grounds, one must take a tour offered by the park service. Hearst Castle is a main attraction of the coastal town of San Simeon.