California State Parks Announces a New Way to See Hearst Castle

San Simeon, CA: California State Parks announced today a new way to see Hearst Castle® one of America’s most popular historic house museums. Visitors to Hearst Castle® can now take a self-guided tour of the famous estate’s gardens, the Neptune Pool and enjoy the Castle walkways and grounds at their own self-directed pace.

“Gardens and Vistas: The Self-Guided tour at Hearst Castle® will allow visitors to experience the beauty of the Hearst Castle® gardens at their own leisure” said Nick Franco, District Superintendent. “First time and returning visitors can enjoy a new way to see the beauty of this fabulous estate and discover the outdoor artworks, take photos of the views, and enjoy the gardens as William Randolph Hearst’s guests would have enjoyed them. The new tour will extend the hours that the Hearst Castle® gardens are open to the public and will increase visitation to Hearst Castle®. The tour times will start after the regular guided tours have ended for the day and will last until sunset. As before, our high quality, professional guide staff will be available to answer visitor’s questions and interpret the sculptures, gardens, and landscape, but in a new format.” Guided tours of Hearst Castle® will continue to be offered as they have been for the past 50 years.

The Gardens and Vistas tour provides the opportunity for visitors to discover for themselves at their own pace the wonderful architecture of Hearst Castle, including approximately 60 sculptures, and 150 art pieces contained within acres of gardens with spectacular views. The Gardens and Vistas tour is available from March through September 2010 on selected dates. The Gardens and Vistas tour prices are $24 for adults and $12 for youth ages 6 through 17. This ticket includes admission to the Hearst Castle Theater at the Visitor Center.