Travel Notes | Exploring the Hidden Dream Palace in California

Approaching Thanksgiving, I visited Hearst Castle with a friend. Hearst Castle is located in San Simeon, San Luis Obispo County, California, along the coastline of Highway 1. The entrance fee is $35 per person, and parking is free 🅿️ The castle was co-designed and built by the media mogul Hearst and California’s first female architect, Julia Morgan, starting from 1919 and was largely completed in 1947 🏰 After arriving at the visitor center, buy your tickets, then wait for the scheduled Shuttle bus to take you to the foot of the castle on the mountaintop. Staff will take a photo of each group of visitors as a keepsake, which you can choose to purchase (for $45) after returning to the visitor center 📷. The driver was particularly enthusiastic, telling us we’d see various wildlife on the way up the mountain and pointing them out during the trip 🦌 After arriving at the foot of the castle, you disembark, and each group of visitors is accompanied by staff, with one guide leading the group and another at the rear. From the castle’s terrace, you can overlook the seascape at the foot of the mountain, which is particularly refreshing. There are also many orange trees on the mountain 🍊 Then, under the guidance of the tour guide, you explore each attraction, including the Neptune Pool with its ancient Roman style and the garden plaza ⛲️. Casa Grande is the heart of Hearst Castle, inspired by ancient Spanish churches, and served as the private residence of the Hearst family. Inside, the space is vast and the decor is exquisite, with each room showcasing art collections and luxurious ornaments, especially the murals and ceiling decorations are the most spectacular. Hearst hosted grand parties and cultural events here, attracting many celebrities and artists 🧑‍🎨 After leaving Casa Grande, you’ll pass by the tennis courts and the Roman Pool. The pool water is dark, surrounded by ancient Roman-style murals and sculptures 🎾 After visiting the Roman Pool, it’s time to take the bus back to the visitor center, ending this extravagant castle tour. The entire tour lasts about 2 hours. #LosAngeles #LosAngelesSurroundingTravel #HearstCastle #CaliforniaHighwayOne #AmericanTravel #SharingMountainScenery #MyLife