On our journey between Monterey and Santa Barbara we stopped off to view Hearst Castle at San Semion.
I was expecting a grand mansion but nothing like the magnitude that confronted us when we arrived. The Estate alone has to be seen to be believed - it is magnificent.
We were put on buses to be transported up the mountainside to the castle. The crowd control was well organised as there were heaps of tourists there to view the castle. Having seen the size of it and the surrounding grounds that need to be maintained they would need as many tourists there that they can get.
I was very impressed with the grounds and it was easy to be able to take yourself back in time and imagine all the famous people who would have been entertained there. It is truly magnificent and William Randolph Hearst did not hold back on the biggest and the best. The gardens alone were beautiful and continuously maintained. (no doubt by a huge staff) I could see myself lounging in the pool area having sophisticated weekend there.
We only got as far as the ground floor reception room, dining room, games room ad indoor pool. The upstairs rooms were closed to the public but I would imagine they would have been just as ornate as the rest.
The views from the castle were fantastic and the external grounds are still run as a working farm with cattle and zebra visible.
It is a highlight not to be missed on the West Coast and well worth the effort to get there. It was one of those "only in America" experiences and the castle was built to impress. Be sure to view the video on the history of the castle as it is interesting and makes all the features of the castle and grounds more meaningful.
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