Gardens and Vistas - The Self Guided Tour

The Tour

Would you like to stroll back in time through the gardens of Hearst Castle in the late afternoon as Mr. Hearst’s guests would have done in the 1930s, watching the sun set into the Pacific Ocean? This opportunity is now available beginning in March and continuing through Labor Day weekend with the new self-guided Gardens & Vistas Tour.

This tour is designed to allow visitors the unique opportunity to spend time enjoying the gardens and magificent views from the hilltop estate, but does not enter the historic buildings. To tour the interiors of the buildings, please select from one or more of the daily guided tours.

Designed to complete the setting of the magnificent estate, the gardens were an integral part of the “The Enchanted Hill.” William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan worked collaboratively to create the garden designs, including plants, fountains and statuary to compliment the architectural design of the buildings. Guests would have explored the beautiful gardens while soaking in the incredible views, listening to the water flowing softly in the fountains and admiring the statuary that was integrated into the garden designs. Flowers and trees bloomed according to the seasons to add color and incredible fragrances to the late afternoon walk.

As visitors today enjoy the gardens on this new self-guided tour, guides will be present to answer questions about the estate and William Randolph Hearst. Maps will be provided to visitors as a guide to the estate and indicating the pathway areas throughout the grounds that are available for viewing. Photographers will have the opportunity to capture breathtaking images of the gardens and vistas.

Guidebooks will also be available for purchase for visitors who would like more detailed information or as a keepsake of their experience.

Hours and Dates

The Gardens and Vistas Tour will be offered beginning mid-March through mid-June on most Friday and Saturday late afternoons. Beginning on June 27th through Labor Day weekend in September, the tours will be offered in the late afternoons on a daily basis.

Length

The Gardens and Vistas Tour will end at sunset and all visitors will depart within one-half hour after sunset. Visitors can depart earlier as buses will arrive at the hilltop and depart to the Visitor Center every 20 minutes. The Gardens & Vistas Tour can be purchased through the reservation system either online at www.hearstcastle.com or at 800-444-4445. Times will vary with the season depending on sunset. Click Here for more information

Accessibility Tours

Accessible tours are also available for the Gardens & Vistas Tour. These tour reservations can be made on-line at www.hearstcastle.com or by calling 866-712-2286.

Pricing

The movie, “ Hearst Castle – Building the Dream,” will be included in the ticket price of the Gardens and Vistas Tour. The price for the tickets will be $24 for adults and $12 dollars for youths (ages 6-17.)

Guidelines

To protect the estate and ensure its continued enjoyment for future generations, please follow the museum guidelines. Smoking is not permitted on the tours. Food and beverages, with the exception of bottled water are not allowed on tour. Visitors will be able to use monopods and flash with their cameras on this tour to take photographs for personal enjoyment. Commercial use of these photos will require prior approval from the Museum Director of Hearst Castle.