Central California Coast - Part 4

Hearst Castle is a definite must see for anyone vacationing in Central California.  This was our 4th or 5th time to go on one of their tours.  This was our second time to take the evening tour, which is the best tour of all.  It is a compilation of all of the other tours.  It takes a little longer, but well worth it.  The castle is magestic and oppulent, especially for its day. The land (40,000 acres) was purchased by George Hearst in 1865 and was initially used as a summer camping spot for the family.  George's son William Randolph Hearst later inherited the land and decided to build on it. Construction began in 1919 and by 1947 it had become an estate of 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools, and walkways.

Hearst Castle at the entrance

 This is the spectacular outdoor pool

 One benefit of the evening tour is that they have "dinner guests" dressed as if in
 the 1950's ready for a fantastic weekend with William Randolph Hearst

 A view of the grounds from inside the castle

 Another view of the grounds

 I love that you can see the Pacific Ocean from high up
 on the hills where the mansion stands

I took pictures of the inside of the mansion, but they just don't do it justice.
I guess you will just have to go visit the castle yourself so you can see
 the inside and really appreciate all the architecture and beauty there.

 

A big highlight for me on this trip to Hearst Castle is that I found this beautiful vase

in the gift shop.  I practically never purchase anything from gift shops,

 but after drooling over it for a while, I decided it needed to find a

permanent home in my family room.  I think it fits perfectly with the

other decor.  I LOVE IT!!!  That, alone, was worth the trip up the coast.  :-)