I have never seen anything like the Hearst castle on this continent. Going up the driveway to the mansion was a fifteen minute drive. Go for a tour inside (there are a few), but be sure to save time for the grounds. This guy new how to party. If you are driving down from Carmel, be aware that you are... More

The views were breath taking from the castle, but the interior decorating was way over the top. Our guided tour was very good and explained each room in detail. He also answered every question that was asked by our group. The bus ride up to the castle was really cool. (Wished we could have rode our bikes up this 5... More

Your guide DOES make a difference! The castle and grounds are fabulous, loads of history and wonder abound. We took the evening tour and loved the views and the comprehensive nature of the experience. But our tour guide, even with 12 years of experience, was low energy, wandered off topic and was a distraction to an otherwise excellent trip. Our... More

This castle, ride in the tour bus, the visitor center, I-Max are all great. Watch the I-Max movie first, then take the tour to the castle. Take your time looking at the gardens, before you go to the pool, because you can not go back. I had heard of the castle, but had no idea that it was actually a... More

I toured the castle solo as my husband wasn't interested in walking much. It was a great experience. The gift shop was fun to browse, the movie was good enough that I bought a copy to share with him at home. The bus ride to the castle/ranch was narrated by Alex Trebek. Tickets sell out quickly - I had to... More

Visiting the Hearst Castle is a first class experience--the visitor center, the bus with Alex Trebec's voice as tour host, the winding road with alternating views of San Simeon Bay, surrounding ranches, and the castle on the hill, the guided tour, the walk through the grounds on our own, watching home movies in the castle theater, and another historical movie... More

This experience may not be for everyone but we were captured by it for the whole time we were there - enough for two tours and a good look around. The opulence is hard to believe, especially when put in context of the time this was being built. The grandness of scale and attention to detail is mind-blowing. Its fusion... More

Views won't disappoint, with all the grandeur Julia Morgan could engineer of concrete. William Randoulf spared no dime on this larger than life castle. We took the Grand Room Tour. Recommended for first-time visitors Tour highlights include Assembly Room, Refectory, Billiard Room, Theater, Gardens, Neptune Pool and Roman Pool. Save time for the movie in the lobby of the ticket... More

Like entering a fantasy land. I cannot believe anyone actaully lived like that. Wow. The gardens were fantastic as well.