Once the opulent home of William Randolph Hearst, newspaper publisher, and art collector, La Cuesta Encantada (the Enchanted Hill) known as Hearst Castle, is one of the most popular California tourist attractions. Upon his death in 1951, Hearst donated 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools, walkways, main house and guest houses, furnishings and Hearst's extensive art collection to the State of California.
Through the remarkable 30-year collaboration between Hearst and the renowned architect Julia Morgan, a plain hilltop camp site located in San Simeon was transformed into a 115-room main house plus guest houses, pools, and eight acres of cultivated gardens to become world-famous Hearst Castle. Construction began on the main house, Casa Grande, in 1922, while laborers and craftsman worked over a 28-year period to complete the estate.
Construction materials and art treasures arrived from Europe on tramp steamers that docked and unloaded goods at the port of San Simeon. The materials were moved into warehouses along the bay until needed and then hauled up the mountainside to the construction site.
The 'ranch' as Hearst called his castle, played host to some of the most influential individuals in business, government dignitaries, and prominent individuals from the newspaper and show business industries including President Coolidge, Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw, Marion Davies, Charles Lindbergh, and Charlie Chaplin.
Upon completion, the main house served as a gathering spot for guests, who congregated in the Assembly Room prior to the evening meal in the Refectory, with a ceiling decorated with ceremonial flags, walls of rich mahogany, colorful oriental carpets and stained glass windows.
The visitor to Hearst Castle has a rare opportunity to view priceless objects of art and rare treasures in their original decorative setting, throughout the main house and guest houses.
Tour buses depart the visitor's center daily except holidays on their winding trip up the hill. The 1 to 1 ½ hour tours include walking a half-mile and climbing 150 to 400 steps. All tours include the Neptune Pool, a Greco-Roman outdoor pool, and the Roman Pool, and an indoor pool lined with Venetian glass and gold.
Without a doubt there is more to see at Hearst Castle, and one trip will never be enough. The website does a credible job of previewing the sites but this museum must be seen in person to enjoy the many delights waiting the visitor who appreciates the splendor of gracious living, magnificent ocean vistas, opulent furnishings, and rare treasures of art and architecture.
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