About this city
Also known as: Hearst's Town
San Simeon is a quiet, historic coastal community situated along California's scenic Highway 1, nestled between the Santa Lucia Range and the Pacific Ocean. The area's modern history began in 1865 when George Hearst purchased vast tracts of ranch land here, which were later inherited by his son, media tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Today, the town is a world-famous tourist stop defined by its lavish hilltop estate and raw, protected coastal ecosystems.
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Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 1 day
Take a guided architectural tour of the grand hilltop Hearst Castle estate and its opulent Roman pools. Walk along the boardwalk at the Piedras Blancas Rookery to watch hundreds of wild elephant seals basking on the beach. Explore the historic San Simeon Pier and enjoy secluded walks at William R. Hearst Memorial State Beach.
