Hearst Castle

After a hearty breakfast at the Madonna Inn, we drove north to San Simeon and Hearst Castle, enjoying the leisurely drive up the coast. At the Visitor’s Center,  we watched the informative film “Hearst Castle – Building the Dream,” and learned all about William Randolph Hearst and his life.

Side view of one of the distinctive Hearst Castle towers

I was especially interested to learn about Hearst’s formative years: summers spent camping on the sprawling cattle ranch that would become the site for Hearst Castle, and the year and a half spent travelling through Europe and the Mediterranean with his mother on a “grand adventure.” These early experiences exposed Hearst to art, culture, and architecture; forged a love for the land near San Simeon; and inspired a lifelong passion for collecting art.

Inside view of the iron grating used in the entrance to Hearst Castle

After a successful business and publishing career, Hearst hired Julia Morgan, from the San Francisco Bay Area, to design and develop the hilltop estate, called “La Cuesta Encantada” (The Enchanted Hill). One of his objectives was to house and display his art collection. They collaborated on the project in a 28-year partnership from 1919 – 1947. Interesting to me, was that he was more interested in the creative process than actually finishing the project.

Art and architecture integrated into the Hearst Castle design

Morgan designed the estate in the Mediterranean Revival architectural style that was popular at the turn of the 19^th century. The style incorporates elements from Spanish and Italian Renaissance, Spanish Colonial, Venetian Gothic, and Beaux-Arts architecture.

An alter in the Casa Grande

We took the Grand Rooms tour, which enables you to see the major rooms of the Casa Grande (the big house). It was fascinating to see how his collections—including the contents of a European castle, religious art and objects from European cathedrals, and medieval tapestries—were integrated into the architectural design.

Medieval tapestry from the 1200s, in the "mille fleur" style 

After the tour, we had the opportunity to stroll around the grounds and guest cottages, lounge by the famous Neptune pool, explore the gardens, and enjoy the panoramic view from the hill top.

 

The famous Neptune pool

Strolling the grounds by one of the guest houses

 

We ended the day with dinner at Linn’s Restaurant, in nearby downtown Cambria, California, where they feature California cuisine using local ingredients, and Hearst Ranch beef!