SLO County News BlogGolf, Wine, Real Estate, Business & Travel NewsChristmas at the Hearst CastleSaturday, December 03, 2005 Hearst Castle Originally uploaded by Aindrila. California State Parks Department staff is hustling to place handmade garlands, red poinsettias and two 18-foot Christmas trees with enough lights and ornaments to make even William Randolph Hearst awe-stricken at their extravagance. The final touches went into place yesterday. Christmas 2005 at the castle means one thing - the embodiment of over-the-top lavishness in a modern-day setting. Visitors at this year's celebration can get a glimpse of the castle in all its holiday decadence, minus the coveted invitation sent to Hearst's original Christmas guests. "We do it every year, but each year gets a little bit bigger and better," said Dan Eller, public relations specialist for the San Luis Obispo Coast District of State Parks. As Christmas was Hearst's favorite time of year for entertaining, so the tradition continues for the public to enjoy. Eller recommends the Experience Tour, which takes visitors by bus five miles up to Hearst Castle and offers a glimpse of holiday decorations inside Casa Grande. The Refectory, Assembly Room and Morning Room are decked with handmade garlands, lights and bows in traditional Christmas-theme colors of green, red and white. Two 18-foot Christmas trees, fully decorated with lights and ornaments, hover over dozens of gifts wrapped as they were in Hearst's days in the Assembly Room, along with hundreds of decorations. Hearst would have settled for no less than the best when it comes to holiday decorations. A number of cut Christmas tree varieties in different colors and sizes likely would have abounded in Hearst's day. Handmade garlands, ornaments and decorations would have adorned the castle, along with a host of guests from around the world. But some things have changed since Hearst died and California State Parks acquired the property. The guests still arrive from all parts of the globe, but the decorations have changed. California State Parks has opted to display artificial decorations instead of the traditional handmade and hand-picked Christmas treasures. While it's a historic re-creation of what times were like when Hearst was around, what Hearst considered the best Christmas decorations are not necessarily the most prudent for a parks system seeking to preserve the cultural and natural integrity of the historic pieces there. Mildew, mold spores and moisture could damage precious artworks. As a result, the decorations are fashionably artificial in their magnificence. Up until about four years ago, the castle had cut trees, but it was too difficult to maintain a museum environment, Eller said. The artificial trees make cleanup easier as well. "It's a California state treasure," said visitor Shea Kelly, who plans to take the Experience Tour this Christmas season. Each year, the State Parks staff and docents maintain the annual tradition by building upon previous decorations and adding more. Nighttime isn't necessarily the best time to observe Christmas 2005 at Hearst Castle, staff members note, because the decorations are inside a museum where light levels are kept low to preserve the artworks. Daytime is a better time to see the decorations because they really pop out, Eller said. "It's a very special, magical time of the year," said Maryann Carson, executive director of the Cambria Chamber of Commerce, noting the holidays are an opportunity to spend that special time at a very special place. Freelance writer Josh Petray is a producer at KVEC radio and lives in San Luis Obispo. He can be reached through the Times-Press-Recorder at 489-4206. Experience Christmas at the castle. Tours of Hearst Castle are offered daily all week except on Christmas and New Year's days. Reservations are highly recommended because of limited availability. Prices for the Experience Tour are $20 for adults and $10 for ages 6 through 17. Experience Tour participants receive 20 percent off an additional Tour 2 or Tour 3. For more information, visit www.hearstcastle.com or call toll-free (800) 444-4445. Christmas at the castle Times-Press-Recorder, Josh Petray Read More
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