Hearst Castle

Wine Country RV Resort, Paso Robles, CA:  Drove down to Hearst Castle today.  Took 46 down to the Pacific Coast Highway and then a short drive to the castle.  But the drive on 46 over the mountains was beautiful.  Left the wine country and it was 77 degrees.  Drove up over the beautiful rolling hills and mountains affording beautiful views of the rugged Pacific coast.  Drove through a forest of coastal oaks and pines dripping in Spanish moss, past pastures of cattle and horses grazing behind carefully painted white board fences, and then we’re down on the water with dramatic views of the rugged Pacific coast.  Arrived at the Hearst Castle around 10:00—in plenty of time for our first tour at 10:30. It was 63 degrees down here.  We took all three tours—the main level of the main house, the upstairs guest suites, and the personal suite of Hearst himself; the guest cottages; the kitchen; the wine cellar; and the gardens and pools.  This place is a treasure.  To come out here and not visit this grand place is a big mistake.  It was so much more than I thought it was going to be. We spent the whole day here.  At one time they owned over 250,000 acres.  Hearst referred to it as his ranch, which it really was.  Cattle are still raised here.  After leaving the castle, we drove across the Pacific Coast Highway and drove through the historic, old San Simeon.  The Hearsts used to buy produce at the little market there which was founded in 1852.  Drove back over the beautiful hills and mountains to our great park.  81 here when we got back.  The weather here is definitely a conundrum. 

The beautiful rolling hills on Rt. 46

The Hearst Castle, Casa Grande

At Hearst Castle

One of the beautiful bell towers in the main house, 69,000 square feet, 115 rooms.

The beautiful main door.

The huge Neptune pool.

The magnificent indoor, heated pool--lined in mosaics, mosaics on the walls.

The little market in San Simeon.

A herd of zebra that roam the fields with the cattle.  Hearst used to have a private zoo on the estate.

The beautiful, rugged Pacific coast.