Hearst Castle Tour Guides Invite Virtual Visitors to La Cuesta Encantada, the “Enchanted Hill”
SAN SIMEON, CA, JULY 6, 2021 — The Foundation at Hearst Castle—a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation and education around the historic Hearst Castle—announced the launch of an exclusive tour opportunity within Airbnb’s Online Experiences, Hearst & Hollywood. On this semi-private virtual live tour, visitors will enjoy 75 minutes at Hearst Castle with a knowledgeable California State Park guide focused on William Randolph Hearst and all things Hollywood. A maximum of ten guests per experience will have access to the iconic Neptune Pool, the main house known as Casa Grande, and the esplanade and lush gardens.
Tickets for the experience are available for $20 with all proceeds benefiting The Foundation at Hearst Castle, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association affiliated with Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument® and the San Luis Obispo Coast District of California State Parks.
“The allure of Hearst Castle has endured for decades across the globe,” said Tara Stephenson, Director of Development for The Foundation at Hearst Castle. “We’re proud to partner with Airbnb to bring this unique experience to fans worldwide. This is the perfect platform to introduce a new generation to the magic of Hearst Castle. We couldn’t be more excited.”
Hearst Castle and its charismatic creator have exerted an irresistible magnetism. In its heyday, the San Simeon estate—located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles—was the destination of choice for Hollywood’s elite. William Randolph Hearst and his companion, actress Marion Davies, extended coveted invitations to the time-honored greats of the movie industry: Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, Greta Garbo, Irving Thalberg, Bette Davis, Clark Gable, and many others.
Closed since March 2020 first due to pandemic precautions and now to allow time to fix the roads, anyone and everyone is invited to experience Hearst Castle via Airbnb’s platform. The Enchanted Hill is a destination that inspired the gossip columnist Hedda Hopper to observe, “A visit to the Hearst Ranch was a ticket to never-never land. Never has there been such a place and never will we see its like again.”
“Airbnb is honored to count The Foundation at Hearst Castle as one of its partners and offer the Hearst & Hollywood experience exclusively,” said Matt Middlebrook, Senior Policy Manager, Airbnb. “Airbnb Experiences are unique activities that give guests new insights into a hosts’ interests and we’re excited to offer people around the world a new way to experience this historical monument and accredited museum.”
Tickets for the Hearst & Hollywood virtual tour are available now via Airbnb’s Online Experiences in the “Social Impact” category. The first experience will be July 13.
To learn more and book tickets, click here. We’ll continue to add dates to the Airbnb calendar, so keep checking back!
About The Foundation
The Foundation at Hearst Castle’s mission is to support the conservation and restoration of Hearst Castle, and to offer youth programs for underserved middle school students — to enhance the appreciation of the art and architecture of this world-class museum and monument, ultimately enriching the visitor experience and inspiring future generations of visionaries.
The Foundation at Hearst Castle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association affiliated with Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument® and the San Luis Obispo Coast District of California State Parks. EIN 77-0068533.
About Airbnb
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 900 million guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer one-of-a-kind stays and unique Experiences that make it possible for guests to experience the world in a more authentic, connected way.
Media Contact:
Pilaar Terry / MC Brand Communications
pilaar@mcbrandcommunications.com
