CA State Parks plans to keep Hearst Castle closed for another six to nine months to work on fixing the drainage systems underneath the road to the hilltop. While we are disappointed that we cannot welcome members and visitors back to the Enchanted Hill sooner, we remain steadfast in our mission: The Foundation at Hearst Castle continues to support ongoing conservation efforts and we will ramp up our popular virtual STEAM Program at the Castle again in the fall.
Just this summer, we funded a few major projects:
- Conservation of 17th-century glazed Anatolian ceramic dish
- Conservation of 15th-century Italian carved marble wellhead
- Conservation of 15th-century Spanish ceiling in the Morning Room – Final phase complete!
We could not do this work without you! Hearst Castle may be closed, but we still need your help. With that, we’d like to provide you with an update on member benefits and existing event tickets, as well as what to look for in the coming months:
Member Benefits Extended
Given the unique nature of the current situation at Hearst Castle and in a small token of our appreciation, our board of directors would like to extend member benefits through the end of 2022. That means that anyone who became a member or renewed membership in 2020 or 2021 will maintain access to on-site events at Hearst Castle and free tour tickets as outlined on our website through the end of next year.
Existing Event Tickets
If you have reservations for any event that was postponed or cancelled in 2020, your tickets will remain valid through the end of 2022. We will certainly host our bucket-list-worthy events — from pool swims to dinner & movie AND Twilight on the Terrace next year once the castle reopens. Anyone with existing tickets will have first choice of event dates once they are confirmed.
We will communicate new dates as soon as they are available. Thank you so much for your incredible understanding and patience. We can’t wait to see you again!
Upcoming Events
We are so excited to share that we are in the midst of planning elevated, educational, and supremely fun virtual and in-person fundraising events! While we’re not quite ready to share details and dates, tickets will be available soon. Keep an eye out for more info and invitation via email and social media.
NEW Virtual Events Tickets on sale soon!
- Watch Party: Special screening of CuriosityStream’s “History’s Greatest Homes: Hearst Castle” plus live Q&A with former Hearst Castle Museum Director Hoyt Fields.
- Paint & Sip at Hearst Castle: Taking a cue from W.R. Hearst’s love of fine wines and rare art, attendees will participate in an interactive and intimate virtual wine tasting and painting experience.
- A Taste of Hearst: We pay tribute to William Randolph Hearst’s grazing and sipping tradition with an expertly curated cheese board inspired by the colors and flavors of Hearst Castle’s gardens.
Members Only Invite sends next month!
- VIP Luncheon & Tour @ Hacienda at Fort Hunter Liggett (Free)
Ways You Can Help
If you’re able to make a donation to support our mission, we would appreciate it more than you know. If you can join or continue your membership, that would be great! But there are other ways to help, too:
- AmazonSmile: Choose The Foundation at Hearst Castle as your preferred charity when you shop on Amazon.
- Planned Giving: Call to learn more about opportunities and benefits.
- Corporate Gift Matching: Add The Foundation at Hearst Castle to your company’s matching gift program.
We hope this update is helpful and we thank you again for your support. Please reach out to us at any time with questions or concerns, or just to say hi! We will be in touch as we learn more and we hope to see you back on the hilltop soon enough.
Until then, take good care!
