Hearst Castle Map,Directions, and Tips
The BIG PICTURE -
“The Castle” is located on the California coast halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
You can get googles directions to the Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA.
Here is a map that will link to “google maps” directions:
Most of “The Castle’s” international visitors fly into Los Angeles or San Franciso and rent a car. The travel distance from either international airport is about the same, approximately four hours driving time. Both Cities are worth visiting. Los Angeles is known for the Hollywood entertainment industry, its beaches, museums, and of course Disneyland. San Franciso is known for the bridge, fisherman’s wharf, trolley cars, and simply the beauty of the city itself.
Whichever city you decide to land in you should budget time in your visit to drive at least an hour North of “The Castle” as part of your visit. The stunningly beautiful unspoiled coastline is well worth the drive. The Hearst Corporation recently donated many miles of coastline to the California State Park System. “The Castle” itself, along with all of its art treasures, was also generously donated to the state by the Hearst Family. You may have already seen video of this coastline as it has been used in many car commercials because of its unspoiled majesty.
If you plan on being in the area for more than overnight you might want to visit the county seat, San Luis Obispo, where an old time farmer’s market fills the streets every Thursday night.
A word of caution:
while much of California has a fine FREEWAY system, as you near “The Castle” you will find yourself on a highway. The major difference between the two is that the highway has cross streets instead of on ramps. As you get even closer you will find yourself on a two lane highway, which means that when you pass a car you are risking a deadly head on collision. For many years that I remember there seemed to be deadly head on collisions nearly every summer (when tourist traffic is the heaviest).
Be paitient, don’t pass unless it is absolutely safe to do so. Be cautious, watch out for the person that is passing when they should not be and would crash in to you if you don’t slow or take evasive action.
Lastly, a TIP:
“The Hearst Castle” requires tickets. You can purchase these tickets in advance here. I believe that this is the only place that you can purchase tickets online.
The tickets are not open tickets, but rather they are for ONE specific tour at an exact date and time. Be EARLY, not LATE. Many of the accidents or speeding tickets are a result of people that did not realize that the last fourty miles would take an extra hour or more to travel.
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