Hearst Castle on California’s Central Coast Set to Reopen After Two-Year Closure

Closed initially due to the pandemic and later for weather-related damages, the renowned Hearst Castle is set to welcome visitors again on May 11, marking the first opportunity to explore this iconic California landmark since March 2020.

Perched on a hilltop in San Simeon, just north of Cambria and San Luis Obispo, this luxurious 127-acre estate was constructed by media tycoon William Randolph Hearst, with designs by architect Julia Morgan. Over approximately 30 years, starting in 1919, the estate grew to include a 115-room main house, guesthouses, pools, terraces, and stunning gardens. After Hearst's death, his family handed the castle over to California State Parks, which opened it to the public in 1957.

The castle was first shuttered in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, with plans to reopen in spring or summer 2021. However, reopening was postponed further due to severe rainstorms that damaged the steep road used by buses to transport visitors to the estate. Extensive repairs were needed on the upper half of the five-mile route, taking 10 months and costing approximately $13.7 million.

This extravagant estate ranks among the most visited sites in California's 279-unit park system. According to California State Parks, under normal circumstances, the castle attracts between 1,500 and 5,000 visitors daily, with the peak year recording around 860,000 guests.

“Where in California can one truly engage with history in a setting that has remained largely unchanged for decades?” asked park superintendent Dan Falat during an interview with Dinogo.

Falat emphasizes the estate's uniqueness, noting that it has been preserved to reflect the ambiance and style experienced by celebrities, world leaders, writers, and art connoisseurs who once visited Hearst. Today, all 20,000 original artworks and furnishings, spanning from ancient Egyptian to art deco, are still on display.

Notable features of the estate include the indoor Roman Pool, adorned with blue mosaic tiles and statues of Roman deities, as well as the Grand Assembly Room, featuring walnut paneling, Renaissance and Baroque tapestries, and neoclassical sculptures. Most tours of the property include stops at both locations.

With the reopening, Hearst Castle is set to revise its pricing model. According to Falat, ticket prices will decrease by $3 to $6 per person based on the tour type. The pricing structure will be streamlined (previously, tour fees were listed separately, but now it will be a single fee). For instance, the Grand Rooms Tour, which used to be $25 plus an $8 fee, will now have a flat rate of $30. While advance reservations aren't mandatory, Falat strongly encourages them due to the castle's popularity.

In the past, guests received guided tours of the house and were then free to explore the gardens, art, and outdoor architecture at their own pace. Moving forward, “Estate visitors will be greeted by one of our expertly trained museum tour guides, who will lead a thorough group tour from the moment they step off the motor coach until they reboard to return to the Hearst Castle Visitor Center,” Falat explained. Guests are welcome to explore the grounds independently after their tour if they wish.

To access the building and its grounds, guests must join at least one tour group. Thirteen tours (including a private option) will be available. Tour offerings include the Grand Rooms Tour (ideal for first-time visitors, showcasing the social spaces such as the Billiard and Morning Rooms) and the Upstairs Suites Tour (focusing on guest accommodations and Hearst’s suite, located at the top of a 322-step spiral staircase). This year's new addition is a two-hour tour celebrating Julia Morgan, Hearst’s collaborator and California's first certified female architect. Tour prices vary from $30 per adult (and $15 for children aged 5–12) for a one-hour tour to $1,000 for a private tour experience lasting up to four hours for groups of up to six. Children under five can enter for free.

Reservations will be available starting March 31 at HearstCastle.org. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 800-444-4445.