Where is Hearst Castle?
Hearst Castle® is located on the California Central Coast. Nestled in the hills at San Simeon, the Castle sits halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and is approximately a five hour drive from either of these metropolitan areas. Approximately 250 miles.
How many people visit Hearst Castle each year?
Hearst Castle is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year since it was opened to the public as part of the California State Park system in 1958.
Between June 1958 and June 2008, Hearst Castle has hosted 36,343,512 visitors on tours. The fiscal year runs from July 1st through June 30th and for the Fiscal Year 2007/2008 Hearst Castle had 673,449 visitors on tours.
How do I get to Hearst Castle?
There is a detailed map and driving directions on our maps and directions page. The mileage chart is approximate and driving times vary according to road conditions, traffic and weather.
What accommodations are available in the area?
Visit Friends of Hearst Castle's Travel Planning Website or one of our local area chambers for lodging and restaurants. Camping is also available.
What are the hours of operation for the tours at Hearst Castle?
Daytime tour hours vary depending on the season, but generally begin at 8:20 a.m. The last daytime tour generally departs at 3:20 p.m. These times can vary during the winter and summer with later start times in the winter and later ending times during the summer. The Evening Tour (Tour 5) start times vary according to sunset. For specific tour times, please check the reservation page to display the available times for the date when you plan to visit.
Do you still operate tours in the rain?
Yes, Hearst Castle is open daily except for the following holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. All tours include about 15 minutes or more outside, but the tour guide will try to limit that time when wet weather is present while walking to and from the buildings. There are no covered walkways when traveling from building to building. However, umbrellas are permitted.
If the Castle is closed due to inclement weather, tour tickets may be rescheduled for a different time or date at no additional charge. Refunds are determined on an indivudual basis. For questions about cancellations and/or refunds please call Reserve America at (800) 695-2269.
Are you closed during any holidays?
Hearst Castle is open for tours daily, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The Experience Tour, which includes Tour 1 and the National Geographic Theater companion movie, "Hearst Castle - Building the Dream," as well as Tours 2 and 3 are offered year-round. Tour 4 is offered April through October, and Tour 5 (Evening Tour) is offered March through May and September through December on selected evenings.
Should I make reservations for my tour?
Absolutely, tour reservations are required to guarantee the tour, date, and time desired. Please call (800) 444-4445. If you are calling from outside the U.S., please call 1-916-414-8400 ext. 4100 for ticket information. Or reserve now. Limited walk-up tickets will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Can I make tour reservations online?
Yes, tour reservations can be made online.
Do you offer any discounts for tours at Hearst Castle?
We do offer a 10% discount on the daytime tours for groups of 12 or more when purchasing tickets at the same time in advance. The only other discount that is available for Hearst Castle tours is the Distinguished Veteran Pass. For more information on these and other State Park discounts, please refer to the special discounts page.
What is the cancellation policy for tour tickets?
Subject to availability, visitors are permitted to make changes in the tour date and up to one hour before the start time of the tour. In the event that you change your tour date and/or time a change fee of $3.50 per ticket will be applied.
Cancellations can be made up to one hour before the start time of your tour. Please call 1-800-695-2269. Once the reservation is completed there is a $7.00 fee to cancel and a $3.50 non-refundable service fee per ticket. Refunds will not be issued for the movie only portion of an Experience Tour Package. For all other tours, refund of the movie only portion is subject to a $1.00 per ticket cancellation fee.
What should I do if there are road closures?
Highways 1, 101 and 46 can experience road closures during the rainy season (November-April) or due to fires during the dry season. Please check with Caltrans for current road conditions.
Is photography allowed at Hearst Castle?
While on tour, still and video photography are allowed for personal use only. Photography for personal enjoyment is encouraged. Flash photography and supportive equipment (tripods and monopods) are not allowed. However, photographs taken on-site may not be used for commercial purposes, nor may they be published in any medium or format without prior written permission from the State of California. All commercial rights to use photographs taken on the premises are reserved by the State of California unless expressly granted otherwise in writing. Please review our on-site photography guidelines and museum guidelines for film crews.
Are there Accessibly Designed Tours available?
Yes, we offer a tour for individuals who have difficulty climbing stairs, walking, or standing for a length of time. The Accessibly Designed Tour is a modified tour that utilizes ramps rather than stairs. There is a bus equipped to transport wheelchairs for this tour as well. Wheelchairs are also available at no charge for the tour. This tour (Tour 6) can also be reserved online for up to two people or by calling 1-866-712-2286.
Are service animals allowed on tours at Hearst Castle?
Yes, service animals are allowed on the public tours. An advance contact would be appreciated so that staff is aware and can be prepared. Visually impaired visitors can be offered a touching experience of some of the items on tour. For hearing impaired visitors, assistive listening devices are available. Please contact us ahead of time so that arrangements can be made.
When are the Christmas Tours?
Hearst Castle does not have a specific themed tour for Christmas. The main house and all three guest houses will be decorated for the holidays, so decorations may be seen on all of our tours.
When do you begin decorating for the Christmas holidays?
Decorating Hearst Castle is a process which takes time for the staff to complete. The curatorial staff usually begins the transformation in mid-November and the decorations remain in place throughout the month of December. The Christmas decorations and the trees are beautifully lit during all operating hours.
On which tours can I see the most Christmas decorations?
Tours that include the Assembly Room, the Refectory and the Morning Room display the most holiday decorations such as the Christmas trees. These rooms are shown on the Experience Tour (Tour 1) and the Evening Tour (Tour 5.) Living History docents dressed in period attire can be seen on the Evening Tours. The Experience Tour is less strenuous for those who do not wish to climb over 300 stairs.
When do the Christmas decorations come down?
Staff begins taking down the decorations on January 2nd. This process can take up to a week to complete.
On which tours can I see the most Christmas decorations?
Tours that include the Assembly Room, the Refectory and the Morning Room display the most holiday decorations such as the Christmas trees. These rooms are seen on the Experience Tour (Tour 1) and the Evening Tour (Tour 5.) Living History Docents dressed in period clothing appear on the Evening Tour. The Experience Tour is less strenuous for those who do not wish to climb over 300 stairs.
Are strollers allowed on the tours?
Due to the number of stairs, strollers are not permitted on the tours. However, child-carrier backpacks and front-packs are allowed. If you do not have one with you, you may borrow one from the Ranger's Office on a first come, first-served basis.
Should I see the movie before or after my tour?
The National Geographic Theater shows "Hearst Castle - Building the Dream" every 45 minutes starting at 8:15 a.m. You may view the movie whenever it is convenient for you during the day since there are no assigned times for the movie tickets. The theater holds approximately 400 visitors for each showing so seating is usually not a problem.
What is your tipping policy for the tour guide?
The tour guides are paid State employees and do not accept tips.
Can I bring my pet?
Pets are not allowed on the tour routes. However, service animals are permitted on all tours. There are no kennels available on-site.
How much time should we allow between tours?
Allow at least two hours when planning your tour. Booking tours two hours apart provides you with a short 10-minute break at the Visitor Center before boarding the bus for your next tour.
When we take multiple tours, do we ride back and forth to the Castle or remain on the hilltop between tours?
Since there is no waiting area at the historic hilltop, visitors must ride the bus up and back down the hill between tours.
How can I help support Hearst Castle?
By joining Friends of Hearst Castle. This organization is a non-profit cooperating association affiliated with Hearst Castle. This association supports education and interpretive programs, as well as artifact conservation efforts at the historic estate. Through memberships, fundraising and special events, it helps to preserve this unique cultural resource for future generations.
What is your donation policy for fundraising events?
The organization requesting a donation must be a non-profit, non-religious affiliated organization. All inquiries should be submitted at least four weeks in advance by letter, email or fax including the 501(3)(c) number of the organization to the Museum Director of Hearst Castle at curator@hearstcastle.com or by fax to 1-800-927-2110.
Is Hearst Castle available for weddings or special events?
It is possible to host an event at Hearst Castle. All special events and weddings include an intepretive tour.
Are dogs allowed on the State beaches or campgrounds?
Dogs are allowed in most campgrounds and developed sites in state parks. Dogs must be on a leash no more than 6 feet in length and under the immediate control of a person per CCR T14-4312(e) Control of Animals. Rules and regulations are subject to change, including intermittent beach closures during migration or nesting seasons.
Service animals are always permitted on Hearst Castle tours.
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