Hearst Castle and San Simeon Elephant Seals

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March 4th 2018

Published: March 6th 2018

Today's weather was perfect for a road trip, so we packed up and headed to one of our most anticipated bucket list items...The Hearst Castle. William Randolph Hearst referred to the mountain top as La Cuesta Encantada (The Enchanted Hill) and we'd say it more than lives up to its name. To build his amazing castle, he hired California's first female licensed architect to assist with his plan; to bu... Read Full Entry

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Mike Sprague

Mike and Mimi

During our 40 year career in the Air Force (both Military and Civil Service) we traveled around the world and had an opportunity to live several years in Europe and many states in the US. This August Mike retired for the second and last time so we are ready to embark on RV trips unconstrained by time and schedule. Most of our travels in the US so far have been quick trips, except summer of 2013 when completed our first cross-country RV trip starting in Williamsburg Va through Utah's National Parks, Grand Canyon AZ, NM, TX, Ok, etc... On August 17th we left Columbus Ohio to start our 40th ann... full info

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Entery and Gathering Room Fireplace

The 15th Century French mantle was taken apart and shipped to the house during its construction. Hearst regularly reminded the architect to ensure the foundational support would be sufficient to support its incredible weight.

Hand Carved 15th Century Ceiling

Table for a Few Friends

Spanish Carved Ceiling

The refractory ceiling has 15 life sized panels of Saints, Mary and a coat of arms,

Dining Room

Decorated with an Italian table, Spanish Banners, and North European silver.

Above the Dining Exit to the Morning Room

One of many 15th Century Tapestries

Dining décor with North European silver.

Morning room

15 Century Spanish Ceiling

Restoration/cleaning of the ceiling is a bit controversial, since Hearst would never have seen the vibrant colors hidden by centuries of smoke damage.

Morning Room Ceiling

Bell Controlling Key Board

East Side view of Casa Grande

Along the East Side

Indoor Roman Pool

Amazing colors mosaics.

A View of indoor pool from the South Entrance.

Roman Statuary

Statuary decorating the indoor pool.

A Miles Long grade and Fruit Arbour

Used for horse riding to provide riders with fresh fruit along their ride.

One of several Wild Animal Enclosures

Hearst had Polar Bears, Lions, Tigers etc. Wandering the ranch were gazelles, elk, zebras, and other exotic hoofed animals. Some still exist today on the Hearst ranch.

View of the Enchanted Hill on the Bus Ride

Winding Road Down

Famous San Simeon Elephant Seals

6th March 2018

Julie
non-member comment

nice
It does look like Harry Potter's dining room. A little too opulent and ornate for my taste, but I guess when money is no object you can be as over the top as you feel like! Looks like a fun place to visit.

6th March 2018

Susan
non-member comment

Very interesting, I have never seen the hearst castle. The dining room looks just like the one from the Harry Potter movies, cool fun fact! The California coast is beautiful!

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Hearst Castle and San Simeon Elephant Seals

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