The Hearst scion has been a formidable American force for over a hundred years, which especially in California where many of the family and interests have resided, is an eternity. During the 1920s and 1930s, when in residence, William Randolph Hearst entertained the who’s who of Hollywood at this Central California Coast location. Today, Hearst Castle is run by the State of California, which offers a number of guided tours around the property.
Welcome to the top
Not a castle, but a 56-bedroom hodgepodge of Euro-Spanish styling designed by Julia Morgan, a trailblazing architect, and a star of the California early 20th century scene herself. The mansion is perched at the top of what is still a mostly unchanged 250,000 acre (1,012 square kilometer) behemoth of a property, surrounded by gardens, bungalows, pools. Welcome to old school wealth, writ unabashedly large.
The views are nothing less than breathtaking
The “castle” is located in San Simeon, California, which is roughly three and a half hours from either San Francisco or Los Angeles, along the coast between them. With barely a register of human civilization in the immediate vicinity, you are afforded views of great land expanses with the Pacific Ocean taking over from where that ends. After the rains, it’s greens and blues as far as the eye can see.
Where to put all the antiquities?
Julia Morgan faced the challenge of a fickle boss, and having to accommodate all the antiquities he kept picking up in Europe. As a result, construction went on for over twenty five years, and design consistencies can be hard to identify. Talented as she was, Julia morgan deftly handled all these challenges, creating not just an exterior, but also an interior of beautiful, stately proportions. Dining rooms, a movie theatre, libraries and lookouts, all are magnificent and grandly designed as befits their purpose.
Not just large spaces, but cozy smaller ones as well
When you take a tour, do be sure to devilishly dive into the details, be it the natural lighting, furniture design, or even staircases and exterior walkways. Library spaces such as the one pictured above, make it easy to harken back to the days of wealth and power amongst the elite of the 1920s and 1930s. One topic to possibly contemplate is how William Randolph Hearst went from all this to being nearly broke. The movie Citizen Kane is a fictionalized account of his life, for those interested.
Care for a dip?
Sure, there’s an outdoor pool, but indoor pools were also de rigueur, and Hearst was not one to be called passe. Naturally, it’s of grand scale, and very period in its design. Gold flakes glitter on the floors, and together with the deep blues and whites, it is not hard to imagine how a swim in this monument to la vida dolce would have you floating through a dreamscape. Rest assured that your return to reality would have been buffeted by meals of epic deliciousness, accompanied by the finest wines.
An irresistible study of the good life as it was nearly one hundred years ago
Hearst Castle is so much, in so many ways, but it is sure to be something special to all but the most jaded visitor. With outstanding views, jaw-dropping architecture and interiors, and the grand spectacle of history, you’ve got a great few hours lined up. Make reservations online before going to avoid disappointment, as crowd controls are in place. Before or after your tour, spend some time along the coast, or in the nearby towns of Morro Bay or San Luis Obispo.
History
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