Have you ever visited or heard of Hearst Castle?

If you are into historic buildings and Art like I’m, you will love Hearst Castle it is gorgeous. Everyone should attempt to visit at least once. I did more than once and still want to go back.

Where is Hearst Castle Located?

Hearst Castle located in beautiful spot by the beach at 750 Hearst Castle rd. San Simeon, Ca 93452.

If you want to see everything you’ll need more than one day it is impossible to see all in one day, you can plan on 3 days in you want to see all, there are lots to see.

Does Hearst castle have swimming pools?

There are different sections and you can take a tour one section at a time.

There are 2 swimming pools the first pool is the outdoor Neptune pool, and it holds 345,000 gallons of water and Depth vary between 3.5 feet to 10 feet

This pool started as Temple Garden, and was smaller and substantial enlargement took place between 1934- 1936.

The colonnades and Cassou statues, which were planned from the late 1920′s, required an enlarged treatment.

Morgan anticipated further modifications of the pool for Cassou’s. Neptune statuary group to be placed in the small upper pool.

And the second pool is The Roman Pool

The Roman Pool at Hearst Castle is a tiled indoor pool decorated with eight statues of Roman Gods, Goddesses and heroes.

The mosaic tiled patterns were inspired by mosaics found in the 5th century Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy.

They are also representative of traditional marine monster themes that can be found in ancient Roman baths. The statues are rough copies of ancient Greek and Roman statues.

One such copy represents the Apoxyomenos. Statuary was used on a considerable scale in the Baths of Caracalla.

The Roman Pool is decorated from ceiling to floor with 1” square mosaic tiles. These glass tiles called smalti are either colored mainly blue or orange or are clear with fused gold inside. The intense colors and shimmering gold of the tiles combine to create breathtaking effect.

Decorating the Roman Pool are eight marble statues.

These statues were carved starting in 1930 by Carlo Freter working in pietrasanta, Italy.

They are rough copies of ancient Greek and Roman statues. The statues of Apoxyomenos are found near the east side of the building.

What else to see in Hearst Castle?

Started in 1865 when George Hearst purchased 40,000 acres of ranch land that includes the Mexican ranchos of piedra Blanca, San Simeon and Santa Rosa.

Then his son William Randolph Hearst inherited the land from his mother, Phoebe Apperson Hearst and he expanded it to 250,000 acres.

Was named Camp Hill its wilderness offered a magnificent campsite for family and friends, but Hearst envisioned more comfortable accommodations. His Simple instructions to famed San Francisco architect Julia Morgan in 1919 were:

Miss Morgan, we are tired of camping out in the open at the ranch in San Simeon and I would like to build a little something.

Hearst renamed the hilltop “La Cuesta Encantada” The Enchanted Hill.

And by 1947 Hearst and Morgan had created an estate of 165 Rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces and pools and walkways- an American castle that was destined to become one of the world’s greatest showplaces.

Here are some Historic Areas at the Hearst Castle

The two swimming pools, already mentioned earlier

Wine Cellar is filled with the finest wine money could buy.

The Wine cellar was constructed during the prohibition Era, and has vaults to protect Hearst’s collection.

Hearst Airport The airstrip located behind the Hearst Castle visitor center- And was built in the 1920s.

Was built originally with two “ L “ shaped runways, one with east-west orientation and the other with north-south orientation so Pilots could use either of the runways.

During adverse winds or weather and the runways were lit by the usual blue and red runway light just like other Airports.

It provided faster way for W.R. Hearst’s architect and his famous guests to reach his estate at San Simeon rather than other transportation.

The Zoo, Hearst Castle zoo was once the largest private ZOO in the world. The ZOO is no longer in Operation but the bear pits can be seen on the way down from the hilltop when leaving.

Descendants of Hearst’s zebras, aoudad, and Sambar deer can still be seen on Hearst ranch land.

The Castle has Guest houses that have total of 46 rooms including lobbies.

And Casa Grande Section has 68,500 Square feet 38 Bedrooms and 30 Fireplaces 42 Bathrooms and 14 sitting rooms and also has additional rooms the Billiard Room, the Theater, The Library, Gothic Study, Beauty Salon, Butler’s Pantry, Kitchen, Staff Dining room for a total of 115 rooms in Casa Grande.

Casa Del Mar has 5,350 SQ. feet 8 Bedrooms 5 Fireplaces 6 Bathrooms and 1 Sitting room

Casa Del Monte total 2,550 Sq. feet has 4 Bedrooms 3 Fireplaces 4 Bathrooms and 1 Sitting room

Casa Del Sol Has 3,620 Sq. feet 8 Bedrooms 3 Fireplaces 8 Bathrooms and 2 Sitting rooms

GUESTS OF THE CASTLE

Political leaders

Winston Churchill, Calvin Coolidge, NY city mayor Jimmy Walker

Hollywood Personalities

Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford, Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, Greta Garbo Jean Harlow, Gary Grant, Harpo Marx

And Others Like Howard Hughes, Charles Lindbergh, Louella Parsons, George Bernard Shaw

And Many more.