From Hollywood’s Golden Age to the new era of international rock stars and digital imagery, Hearst Castle and its charismatic creator have exerted an irresistible magnetism. In its heyday, San Simeon — 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, Bette Davis, Clark Gable, and many others.
You will enjoy 75 minutes touring the historical monument with an expert guide, focusing on Mr. Hearst and all things Hollywood. Visit the iconic Neptune Pool, the main house known as Casa Grande, plus the esplanade and lush gardens. Along the way, you may encounter folks dressed in period attire as we recreate the guest experience from Mr. Hearst’s time.
In the 1940s, influential gossip columnist Hedda Hopper observed, “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.”
With Hearst Castle closed until at least the end of the year to fix the drainage system beneath the roads to the hilltop (damaged from a major storm), this very special online experience is the only way to access and the castle!
