Hearst Castle
June 16, 2014
Hearst Castle is my favorite place in California and one of my favorite places in the world. It's how I've always imagined paradise to be like. Resting on a hilltop of California's Santa Lucia Mountains, Hearst Castle commands a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and San Simeon Bay. It is half-way between San Francisco and Los Angeles (about a 4h drive from either city). Casa Grande features 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools, walkways surrounded by beautiful flowers and the world's largest private zoo. Most rooms are furnished with an impressive collection of Spanish and Italian antiques and art. The outdoor pool is called the Neptune Pool and the indoor one is the Roman Pool. I could hardly keep myself from jumping in the pool during the tour!
Most of the buildings were designed by San Francisco architect Julia Morgan for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, who died in 1951. The Hearst Corporation donated the property to the state of California in 1957. Since that time it has been maintained as a state historic park where the estate, and its considerable collection of art and antiques, is open for public tours.
If you are in California, visit the castle if you get the chance, I assure you it's totally worth it.
Have a great Monday and thanks for reading,
Cristina xo