Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Hearst Castle Originally uploaded by
doggyBag.
If you have an extra day, or want to combine golf and wine touring with other sightseeing, head northward to see what it was like when William Randolph Hearst entertained heads of state and Hollywood stars at his fabled mountain-top castle at San Simeon. Combine a nighttime tour of Hearst Castle with wine-tasting in the Central Coast, and you've got a unique weekend getaway.
Construction of the estate, designed by architect Julia Morgan, began in 1919 and continued until 1947 when Hearst fell ill. A number of different tours are offered, allowing visitors to explore the ornate structures and beautiful grounds and learn the history and lore of the landmark.
The evening tour particularly is fun, for you can imagine yourself as a guest among the rich and famous at a gala here.For these tours, available Friday and Saturday nights September through December, the pool and gardens are illuminated with hundreds of light fixtures and the interiors of La Casa Grande and La Casa del Mar are decked out as they would have been for a Hearst party.
Always call ahead to book tours, and for the Hearst Castle by Night tour, you need to make reservations two months in advance—but it's worth planning ahead. Hearst Castle Tickets: 800-444-4445. Information is available at www.hearstcastle.org.
