Northern California’s Julia Morgan quietly broke barriers and overcame obstacles. She was the first certified female architect in California and the first American woman to head her own architectural office, leading her to become one of America’s preeminent architects. Her designs would grace private homes, college campuses, women’s clubs, religious houses, YWCAs, and, most famously, William Randolph Hearst’s legendary San Simeon estate. The Julia Morgan tour takes an in-depth look at the life and career of this extraordinary woman. View rarely-seen areas of Hearst Castle that highlight her gift for design, and photographic displays of architectural drawings, family photos, and personal items that reveal the person she was.
TOUR RESERVATION CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICYReservations can be made, changed, or cancelled at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. Changes to tour date or time: no additional charge if made in advance. A non-refundable registration fee per ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.
For those fascinated by the trajectory of the Enchanted Hill, and W. R. Hearst’s unique collaboration with architect Julia Morgan, the Designing the Dream tour weaves through the nearly three decades of planning and construction that comprised the astounding estate’s history. The earliest years are viewed in Casa del Sol, a guest cottage from the very first stage of the project; the middle-years are represented by the iconic swimming pools so closely associated with the estate; and the final years are seen in the North Wing of Casa Grande, the very last phase to be realized. With an emphasis on both changing design and architectural styles of the time, and the tumultuous events in W.R. Hearst’s own life, this tour spans the entire history of Hearst Castle.
TOUR RESERVATION, CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Reservations can be made, changed, or cancelled at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. Changes to tour
date or time: no additional charge if made in advance. A non-refundable registration fee per ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.
Enjoy a private guided tour. This private tour can accommodate up to 6 people for a maximum of 4 hours. The cost of the tour is $1000 for the entire group. This tour may access any of the areas of the estate available to the public on the other tours. Private tours are offered during our normal daytime tour operation; however there is limited availability during some time periods. Visitors provide their own transportation from the Hearst Castle Visitor Center to the hilltop estate and return. The driver must present a valid driver’s license on arrival. RVs, buses, and motorcycles are not permitted. Only bottled water may be brought on tour.
Please call the district office at Hearst Castle at (805) 927-2065 to arrange for this unique and personalized tour experience of Hearst Castle.
TOUR RESERVATION, CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICY
A minimum of one week’s notice is required to book private tours, and these tours can be reserved up to one month in advance. The cost for a private tour is $1000.00 for the entire group paid at the time of booking. MasterCard, Visa, and Discover cards are accepted. Reservations cancelled at least 72-hours in advance will allow for a partial refund. There are no refunds for cancellations of less than 72-hours notice. Please call the district office at Hearst Castle at (805)927-2065 to arrange for this unique and personalized tour experience of Hearst Castle.
This tour is wheelchair accessible. Visitors who have difficulty climbing stairs, or who cannot stand or walk for extended periods, may also benefit from this tour. Accessible transportation is provided from the Visitor Center to all areas of the Holiday Twilight Tour. See Holiday Twilight Tour for a description. Advanced reservations are strongly recommended for this tour. Call 866-712-2286 for additional information.
TOUR RESERVATION, CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Reservations can be made, changed, or cancelled at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. Changes to tour date or time: no additional charge if made in advance. A non-refundable registration fee per ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.
Discover why the holiday season was an exceptionally festive time for Mr. Hearst and his guests. Share in the splendor as you wind your way through the grounds, Casa del Sol-guest house, and the grand social rooms of Casa Grande. This special seasonal tour showcases abundant holiday decorations with numerous Christmas trees, including two towering trees. View Mr. Hearst’s celebrated art collection in the warm glow of thousands of holiday lights. Your knowledgeable guide will share stories of holiday festivities during the estate’s heyday.
The Holiday Twilight tour will be offered on select nights from November 25th through December 30th, 2022.
TOUR RESERVATION, CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Reservations can be made, changed, or cancelled at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. Changes to tour date or time: no additional charge if made in advance. A non-refundable registration fee per ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.
This tour is wheelchair accessible and is also designed for visitors who have difficulty climbing up and down stairs, or who cannot stand or walk for lengths of time. The Accessibly Designed Grand Rooms Tour visits the estate’s most opulent social gathering rooms to reveal what it was like to be a guest at The Enchanted Hill—known today as Hearst Castle.
TOUR RESERVATION, CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Reservations can be made, changed, or cancelled at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. Changes to tour date or time: no additional charge if made in advance. A non-refundable registration fee per ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.
This tour features two of the luxurious mansions that housed the Hearst family and their guests before Casa Grande was ready. Offering magnificent Pacific coast and mountain views, these ornately gilded “cottages” are thousands of square feet in size. The famous wine cellar and gigantic kitchen in Casa Grande are included in this tour.
TOUR RESERVATION CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICY Reservations can be made, changed, or cancelled at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. Changes to tour
date or time: no additional charge if made in advance. A non-refundable registration fee per ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.
Climb the spiral stairs (322 steps) through the upper levels of Casa Grande to admire Mr. Hearst’s own Gothic Suite, the enchanting Celestial Suite in the bell towers’ level, the main library with 150 ancient Greek vases, the della Robbia Room, and a clever Duplex Suite.
TOUR RESERVATION, CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Reservations can be made, changed, or cancelled at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. Changes to tour
date or time: no additional charge if made in advance. A non-refundable registrationfeeper
ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.
Best for first-time visitors, this overview of Hearst Castle offers an itinerary through the main building called Casa Grande: the Assembly Room, Refectory, Morning Room, Billiard Room and Theater. Tours begin outdoors with several stairs to negotiate on the terraces.
TOUR RESERVATION, CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Reservations can be made, changed, or cancelled at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. Changes to tour
date or time: no additional charge if made in advance. A non-refundable registration fee per ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.
