Which Tour Is The Best At Hearst Castle - T-Tees - Your Answers Await, Life's Questions Unraveled

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Hearst Castle is a must-see for any visitors to California.

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Nestled in the foggy hills outside of San Simeon, California, Hearst Castle is a massive estate with several guesthouses. Spending an afternoon at Hearst Castle is almost like spending an afternoon back in the 1930s. A museum that doubles as a state park, Hearst Castle is one of a kind.

But with so many different options available, it can be hard to decide which Hearst Castle tour to take. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right tour for your visit.

Hearst Castle, Which Tour to Choose?

In order to enter the property, you must purchase a tour.

Initially, I felt hesitant about being constrained to a tour, but it ended up being totally worth it! The estate became a state park shortly after Hearst’s death, so the early 19th-century vibe is highly preserved.

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If you’re short on time, the Grand Rooms Tour is the perfect way to see the best of Hearst Castle. It includes a visit to the castle’s gardens, pool, and grandest rooms, including the Banquet Hall and Roman Pool. The Grand Tour is the most comprehensive option and includes access to all of the castle’s public rooms.

For this reason, the Grand Rooms Tour is recommended for most first-time guests.

For a more in-depth look at the property, opt for the Upstairs Suites Tour. This tour provides a more intimate look at the castle, focusing on the private rooms used by William Randolph Hearst and his guests. This tour is a good choice if you’re interested in hearing stories about the castle’s famous visitors.

And if you’re interested in learning about the castle’s history, take the Behind-the-Scenes Tour. This tour covers topics like architecture, landscaping, and interior design and includes a visit to the property’s basement and kitchen.

No matter which tour you choose, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience at Hearst Castle.

Is Hearst Castle Worth Visiting?

Contrary to many museums, Hearst Castle showcases one man’s life journey in creating the castle. This results in an incredibly engaging tour because as you get to see more of the grounds, you also get to know more about Hearst himself.

Best of all, Hearst is equidistant from both Los Angeles and San Francisco (and only 3 hours from Fresno!) This central location makes Hearst an obvious choice for any California bucket list.

Hearst Castle Animals

Did I mention that wild zebras roam the property?

When most people think of Hearst Castle, they think of its lavish style and architecture. But what many don’t know is that Hearst Castle was once home to the world’s largest private zoo.

In the early days of the castle animals including peacocks, ostriches, and even giraffes roamed the grounds, providing a bit of exotic flair. The Hearst Castle zebras are one of the last remaining species after the dismantling of the zoo. If you’re lucky you can still see them from the Pacific Coast Highway as you pass the castle grounds.

zebra at hearst castle — Can you see it?

Hearst Castle Tour FAQ

I hope these tour recommendations were helpful to you! If you enjoyed it, check out a video preview of more of my California content on my Instagram Highlights and give me a follow. If you ever have a question you can DM me or drop it in the comments below.

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