If you are visiting San Simeon, California, chances are good you are heading to the famed Hearst Castle. However, a visit to San Simeon has more to offer than “la cuesta encantada,” or the enchanted hill and castle. Between hiking, wine tasting, wildlife, and unbelievable coastal views, San Simeon is worth a stop on your next California highway adventure. But, if you take the time to explore a bit more, the area’s beauty shines.
It won’t take long for you to realize why William Randolph Hearst chose this area for his famed estate. The natural beauty of this coastal gem packs photo-worthy views and is located in the middle of your San Francisco to Los Angeles highway 101 road trip through Big Sur. The central coast of California is a gem that leaves me in awe after every visit. Here are our favorite things to do in San Simeon, California.
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WHERE IS SAN SIMEON, CALIFORNIA?
San Simeon is a gem on California’s coastline in San Luis Obispo County. Located just north of Cambria and south of Big Sur, San Simeon is best known for its famed Hearst Castle, the sprawling estate of William Randolph Hearst.
With a population of just over 650, San Simeon is an isolated coastal enclave worth more of your time than just a stop into Hearst San Simeon State Park. There are several exciting stops for families in town, and I highly suggest you carve out some time during your next Highway 101 road trip to enjoy them!
HEARST SAN SIMEON ZEBRAS
Driving North on Highway 1 from Cambria, watch the rolling hills on your right. The Hearst Family Ranch encompasses the majority of acreage around Hearst Castle. During the day, wildlife remnants of William Randolph Hearst’s private zoo can be seen grazing the hillside.
The herd of wild zebras travels along with the cattle and makes for a fun sight heading into San Simeon. You may even spy some elk further north near the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. When you approach a group of cars pulled off on the side of Highway 1, make sure to look east from the highway, as you are almost sure to spot a herd of zebras and cows grazing the hillside. Park along the road to snap a photo and enjoy these incredible views!
SAN SIMEON BAY
San Simeon Bay offers incredible views without a crowd. The bay is home to various marine animals on the Pacific coast. The bay is a protected marine sanctuary that creates a perfect place to enjoy the ocean and wildlife views for free. Photo enthusiasts love to spot sea otters, elephant seals, and even humpback whales from the pier throughout the year.
San Simeon’s Pier is home to fishermen throughout the day, and you do not need a license to fish off the pier. However, limits are enforced. The beach parking lot and pier set you up for our favorite adventure in San Simeon – hiking out to San Simeon Point.
WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST MEMORIAL BEACH
Located off Highway 1 across from the Hearst Castle exit, William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach State Park offers picnic areas, grills, restrooms, and parking. California State Parks maintains this area along Highway 1. A short walk from the parking lot leads you to the incredible 850-foot San Simeon Pier and beach. Enjoy the ocean under your feet as you walk out on this marvelous structure. Watch for elephant seals and sea otters playing in the water below you.
The pier’s history in Hearst San Simeon State Park is pretty amazing. This was the entry point of the construction supplies so many of the beautiful art and antiques you see in the Hearst estate. Try to enjoy the view and imagine the incredible pieces unloaded on this pier! Also, don’t miss the terrific photo opportunity from the pier.
SAN SIMEON POINT TRAIL
We discovered this gem on our last visit, and it is something we will return to time and time again. I cannot believe a beauty like this can sit without the heavy traffic on trails we see in San Diego. This hiking trail is something I HIGHLY recommend you take the time to explore. At only 2.5-miles roundtrip, this hike can be done with kids of all ages.
START YOUR HIKE ON THE BEACH
Starting at the pier, walk north along the beach. Several Hearst family historic homes dating back to the 1800’s line the bluff. So does the Hearst Family Wines tasting room (more on the tasting room later- it is a perfect stop after your hike)! Shortly after the property, you will see a small path jetting off the beach up the hill to the right. Start heading into nature up the path!
HOW TO FIND THE TRAIL
You’ll continue along the beach but steadily climb up the bluff a bit. Once you come to a white taped post, cross through the “PRIVATE PROPERTY” fence. Although the Hearst family owns this property, they are kind enough to share it with the world during daylight hours. Continue up the path and soak in the incredible views.
Shortly after crossing the fence line, you find yourself on a trail opening up to an unforgettable coastline view. Don’t forget a photo of the bay! Suddenly, you will realize you are right where you are supposed to be!
We took a moment to rest and calm our baby while giving our son a snack. It was a perfect spot as the bay and beach views were front and center!
HIKING ON SAN SIMEON POINT
The climb up is not too extreme, and as we continued out, we were not disappointed with the views. At the top, we headed to the right, not through the trees of the main trail (which looks beautiful), but on a bluff-side trail parallel to the trees. Our reward was an incredible, unforgettable private view.
We took some time to relax on the bluff and take in the coastal views. We wished we had brought a blanket and our picnic (in the car for the Hearst Wines Tasting Room after the hike). These views were astonishing, and the quiet trail through nature was what dreams are made of in our new COVID world. Our son loved the bird and seal watching with his binoculars.
After relaxing for a bit, we headed back out to explore. It is beyond beautiful here. I cannot wait to come back and enjoy the view again. I can only imagine sunset would be unreal from this spot. This is a hike that I cannot recommend enough for families. At 2.5 miles out and back and only 100 miles of elevation increase, this trail is a “must-do!”
HEARST RANCH WINERY TASTING ROOM
Hearst Ranch wines are part of a pedigree of success. The Hearst Ranch Winery’s new bayfront tasting room is a DO NOT MISS in San Simeon. Why not sip the incredible Randolph Red or Three Sisters Cuvee by the bay? Hearst Ranch Winery is your perfect stop after a hike or visit to Hearst Castle. The tasting room staff will welcome you like family, and between the fantastic wines and stunning views, you will not be disappointed.
Although they have rotating food trucks, you can also purchase all you need for an incredible charcuterie from the tasting room. Or, bring your picnic, soak in the views, enjoy the wine and stay awhile. We love grabbing sandwiches from one of our favorite spots in Cambria before heading up to San Simon. San Simeon’s Hearst Family Wines are a must-try on your coastal adventure.
HEARST CASTLE
Most people venture to San Simeon to see the famed Hearst San Simeon Castle. Hearst Castle is now owned and operated by the State of California and attracts over one million visitors a year. This masterpiece designed by architect Julia Morgan is truly a piece of art and a spectacular sight.
HEARST CASTLE HISTORY
The hillside mansion was built in 1919 by the famed newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. The castle is over 90,000 square feet and boasts 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms, indoor & outdoor sitting rooms, a tennis court, a movie theater, a private zoo, a private airfield, and numerous guest homes.
Famous guests include Winston Churchill, Charles Lindbergh, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, and various other Hollywood stars and noteworthy politicians. In the 1920s and 1930s, an invitation to Hearst Castle was considered a high honor. Between the outdoor activities, stunning gardens, lavish events, and costume parties (and a liquor cellar stocked full during prohibition), guests on the estate enjoyed their stay as long as they were able.
START AT THE VISITOR CENTER
Your tour experience will begin in the Hearst Ranch Visitor Center. Here you can browse one of the gift shops, grab a meal or snack and enjoy the state park theater to watch the film “Hearst Castle – Building the Dream” on their five-story screen. The film is included with your ticket. Then, when your time comes, you will head up 5-miles towards the castle in a large tour bus.
TOUR OPTIONS
There are several options for touring Hearst Castle. I highly recommend the Grand Rooms ticket for traveling with kids. It is especially festive during the holidays. Booking ahead will ensure you get the time you want, as the state park is a tourist destination filled with tour buses and other groups. You can also check for seasonal and special ticketed events, such as the Holiday Twilight Tour.
VISITING WITH KIDS
Our son was amazed by it all and wanted to see more. However, there is a lot of information, and multiple tours may be asking too much from your kids and their attention span. The tours run in groups, so the last thing you want is to be corralling your free-spirited children during the tour. Ensure your kids eat prior, as there is no eating or snacking during your visit.
AFTER YOUR HEARST SAN SIMEON STATE PARK VISIT
Art is abundant in every room, and you are welcome to take a photo with no flash. One of the best parts of the castle tour is that you are welcome to explore the gardens at your own pace, no matter what tour you take. The views from the grounds are phenomenal. This is a great place to explore before hopping on the shuttle back down to the visitor center. Watch for the natural beauty of zebras and other wildlife grazing under the sunset as you take the 15-minute ride back to the state park visitor center.
ELEPHANT SEALS AT THE PIEDRAS BLANCAS ROOKERY
The elephant seal rookery at Piedras Blancas is located just outside of San Simeon and is a must-do with kids. Parking is free and plentiful, as are the elephant seal views. Children will be fascinated by the antics of marine mammals. Male elephant seals assert their dominance to impress their female partners, and you can see the male seals mating fights throughout December and January. Shortly after, you can begin to see pregnant females lining the beach.
The Friends of the Elephant Seal and their docents offer great information for visitors. The elephant seal rookery is a great place to see elephant seals thriving in their natural habitat.
PIEDRAS BLANCAS LIGHT STATION
The Piedras Blancas Light Station is one place I have to admit we have not been to yet. I hate to say that because it is a fantastic place for families. The lighthouse has been a beacon on the coast for years, protecting mariners from the jagged cliffs of the Central Coast since it was built in 1875. My mother-in-law has wanted us to visit, and we will be visiting on our next trip when COVID restrictions change. As the tours resume, the hours should be updated here.
POINTS OF INTEREST NEAR SAN SIMEON
TO THE SOUTH – CAMBRIA
Cambria is one of our favorite places to visit. This seaside town is just 9-miles south of San Simeon and makes an excellent location for a home base during your Central Coast adventure. Some of our favorite hotels are located in Cambria, and we cover all of our favorite things in Cambria in this guide! Cambria is filled with great food, wine tasting, free nature preserves, and stunning sunset views.
TO THE NORTH – RAGGED POINT
Although 15-miles outside of San Simeon and heading towards Big Sur, Ragged Point is worth mentioning here! We have not taken many drives more beautiful than Highway 1 up the California Coast. We have been lucky enough to make the journey north and south, and a stop at Ragged Point is a MUST. Do not miss this photo opportunity!
The views are second to none on the coast, and the Ragged Point Inn offers a variety of dining options – a wine bar, an espresso bar, a sandwich stand, and a restaurant. If you have a picnic, you are more than welcome to enjoy it on their grounds. If you pass through on your California road trip, definitely make this a stop.
At times I use my blog as my travel list. I want to check out this short hike next time we are near Ragged Point – the Salmon Creek Trail. I will update here once we do. It would be amazing to spend a day hiking and then relaxing at the Ragged Point Inn. If you are reading this, I suggest you do the same! Let me know how it is.
ONE FINAL THOUGHT…
Take some time to enjoy the healing properties of this beautiful area in California. Here my husband and I were on a weekend away in 2018. We took this trip to help process some pain and disappointment in our growing family. Although trying to process these events and enjoy our vacation, this pain was real.
However, when I look at this photo, I know the ocean DOES heal. If you need a getaway, please consider a trip to the central coast of California. You cannot escape the pain you need to feel to grow, but you can take a deep breath and reframe it all.
Find the beauty in your storm.
MAP OF PLACES TO GO IN SAN SIMEON
What is next on your California Highway 1 journey? Such an unforgettable drive.
