AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
Hearst castle9/1/2023 There’s no admission or parking fee for the visitor center, but it’s hard to imagine that many visitors stop there. If you’re unfamiliar with the Hearst family story, it’s worth a cursory wander through the exhibit to get acquainted with their legacy and the Hearst Castle property. The visitor center features three dining options, a movie theater, a gift shop, and the William Randolph Hearst exhibition. Its plentiful amenities are definitely designed to entice visitors to stay awhile. Hearst Castle doesn’t shy away from being a tourist attraction. “This place is huge!” I thought when we pulled into the sprawling parking lot. One of the three guesthouses at Hearst Castle. That means visitors today enjoy the same view that William saw the first time he declared this “La Cuesta Encantada.” Beyond that stretch 80,000 acres owned by Hearst Ranch, a grass-fed cattle company currently managed by Hearst’s great-grandson. When the Hearst Corporation donated the residence to the state of California, they also donated the surrounding 120 acres. Eventually financial hard times spurred by the Great Depression caught up with Hearst, but today Hearst Castle’s star-studded days are remembered fondly. Back in the heyday of Hearst Castle in the late 1920s and early 1930s, many Hollywood stars and other American celebrities flew into the private airport to enjoy a few days of seclusion and hedonism. Today, Hearst Castle is a celebration of art, architecture, and landscape. When Hearst’s poor health forced him to leave the house in 1947, the project still wasn’t finished. Hearst and Morgan worked together for nearly 30 years to design and build the hilltop property which eventually included a mansion, three guesthouses, two pools, and extensive, manicured gardens. ![]() Really, “castle” is the only word that can summarize the scope of this massive property. ![]() Originally called La Cuesta Encantada – that’s Spanish for “The Enchanted Hill” – at some point the project was referred to as “Hearst’s Castle” and the name stuck. Architect Julia Morgan designed the massive hilltop villa in the Mediterranean style. William Randolph Hearst started building Hearst Castle in 1919.
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |