Hearst Castle tours are unforgettable experiences that allow you to step back in time with a visit to William Randolph Hearst’s legendary, beloved hilltop estate. Before you tour Hearst Castle, please review the physical requirements and weather conditions, because all tours will take you outdoors and require long walks.
Grand Rooms Tour
The Grand Rooms Tour explores the Castle’s opulent social rooms in the main house, and consists of:
- 60-minute tour;
- Approximately 159 stairs, both up and down;
- 2/3-mile route to walk;
- 15-minute bus ride to and from the Visitor Center;
- Considerable time standing.
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Upstairs Suites Tour
The Upstairs Suites Tour guides visitors through the estate’s upstairs guest accommodations and Mr. Hearst’s private quarters on the third floor:
- 60-minute tour;
- Approximately 332 stairs, both up and down;
- 3/4-mile route to walk;
- 15-minute bus ride to and from the Visitor Center;
- Considerable time standing.
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Cottages & Kitchen Tour
The Cottages & Kitchen Tour allows visitors to see both the most personal and most practical areas of The Enchanted Hill, in both the main house and the smaller houses:
- 60-minute tour;
- Approximately 204 stairs, both up and down;
- 3/4-mile route to walk;
- 15-minute bus ride to and from the Visitor Center;
- Considerable time standing.
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Designing the Dream Tour
This tour highlights the years of construction from 1919 through 1947, from an early Guest House to the final construction years of the North Wing of the main house, Casa Grande:
- 75-minute guided tour;
- Approximately 320 stairs, both up and down;
- 1 and 1/4-mile route to walk;
- 15-minute bus ride to and from the Visitor Center;
- Considerable time standing.
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Art of San Simeon Tour
Mr. Hearst and architect Julia Morgan created a unique showplace for his works of art. This semi-private tour focuses on how Mr. Hearst acquired and displayed his collection:
- Two hour semi-private guided tour;
- Approximately 750+ steps, both up and down;
- Length of route varies;
- 15-minute bus ride to and from the Visitor Center;
- Considerable time standing.
Hearst and Hollywood Tour
San Simeon was the destination of choice for Hollywood’s elite. This semi-private tour focuses on the heyday of the Enchanted Hill when coveted invitations were extended to the time-honored greats of the movie industry:
- Two hour semi-private guided tour;
- Approximately 750+ steps, both up and down;
- Length of route varies;
- 15-minute bus ride to and from the Visitor Center;
- Considerable time standing.
Evening Tour
Travel back in time at this unique estate with the Evening Tour, complete with Living History volunteers dressed in 1930s attire:
- 1 hour and 40-minute tour;
- Approximately 308 stairs, both up and down;
- 3/4-mile route to walk;
- 15-minute bus ride to and from the Visitor Center;
- Considerable time standing;
- Visibility conditions that range from very dim to very bright.
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Accessibly Designed Tours
Three tours at Hearst Castle are designed for wheelchair accessibility and for visitors who have trouble walking or standing for considerable lengths of time—the Accessibly Designed Grand Rooms Tour, the Accessibly Designed Evening Tour and the Accessibly Designed Holiday Twilight Tour:
- Visit the ground floor only;
- May be modified to accommodate visitors during inclement weather;
- Other areas are inaccessible because the historic structures have narrow, spiral staircases.
Tours and Weather Conditions
Please note that the weather at the top of the hill at Hearst Castle can range from very warm to cold, foggy, rainy and windy. Layers of clothing and comfortable shoes are strongly recommended.
Tours will be conducted in the rain and are canceled only if inclement weather poses a hazard. Additionally, the interiors of the historic buildings are not air conditioned during the summer.