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Julia morgan tour.

Northern California’s Julia Morgan quietly broke barriers and overcame obstacles. She was the first certified female architect in California and the first American woman to head her own architectural office, leading her to become one of America’s preeminent architects.  Her designs would grace private homes, college campuses, women’s clubs, religious houses, YWCAs, and, most famously, William Randolph Hearst’s legendary San Simeon estate.   The Julia Morgan tour takes an in-depth look at the life and career of this extraordinary woman. View rarely-seen areas of Hearst Castle that highlight her gift for design, and photographic displays of architectural drawings, family photos, and personal items that reveal the person she was.

TOUR RESERVATION CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICYReservations can be made, changed, or cancelled at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. Changes to tour date or time: no additional charge if made in advance. A non-refundable registration fee per ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.

Designing the Dream Tour

For those fascinated by the trajectory of the Enchanted Hill, and W. R. Hearst’s unique collaboration with architect Julia Morgan, the Designing the Dream tour weaves through the nearly three decades of planning and construction that comprised the astounding estate’s history. The earliest years are viewed in Casa del Sol, a guest cottage from the very first stage of the project; the middle-years are represented by the iconic swimming pools so closely associated with the estate; and the final years are seen in the North Wing of Casa Grande, the very last phase to be realized. With an emphasis on both changing design and architectural styles of the time, and the tumultuous events in W.R. Hearst’s own life, this tour spans the entire history of Hearst Castle.

TOUR RESERVATION, CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICY Reservations can be made, changed, or cancelled at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. Changes to tour date or time: no additional charge if made in advance. A non-refundable registration fee per ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.

Private Tour

Enjoy a private guided tour.  This private tour can accommodate up to 6 people for a maximum of 4 hours.  The cost of the tour is $1000 for the entire group. This tour may access any of the areas of the estate available to the public on the other tours.  Private tours are offered during our normal daytime tour operation; however there is limited availability during some time periods. Visitors provide their own transportation from the Hearst Castle Visitor Center to the hilltop estate and return.  The driver must present a valid driver’s license on arrival.  RVs, buses, and motorcycles are not permitted.  Only bottled water may be brought on tour.

Please call the district office at Hearst Castle at (805) 927-2065 to arrange for this unique and personalized tour experience of Hearst Castle.

TOUR RESERVATION, CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICY A minimum of one week’s notice is required to book private tours, and these tours can be reserved up to one month in advance. The cost for a private tour is $1000.00 for the entire group paid at the time of booking. MasterCard, Visa, and Discover cards are accepted. Reservations cancelled at least 72-hours in advance will allow for a partial refund. There are no refunds for cancellations of less than 72-hours notice. Please call the district office at Hearst Castle at (805)927-2065 to arrange for this unique and personalized tour experience of Hearst Castle.

Accessibly Designed Holiday Twilight Tour

This tour is wheelchair accessible.   Visitors who have difficulty climbing stairs, or who cannot stand or walk for extended periods, may also benefit from this tour. Accessible transportation is provided from the Visitor Center to all areas of the Holiday Twilight Tour. See Holiday Twilight Tour for a description.  Advanced reservations  are strongly recommended for this tour.   Call 866-712-2286 for additional information.

TOUR RESERVATION, CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICY Reservations can be made, changed, or cancelled at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. Changes to tour date or time: no additional charge if made in advance. A non-refundable registration fee per ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.

Holiday Twilight Tour

Discover why the holiday season was an exceptionally festive time for Mr. Hearst and his guests. Share in the splendor as you wind your way through the grounds, Casa del Sol-guest house, and the grand social rooms of Casa Grande. This special seasonal tour showcases abundant holiday decorations with numerous Christmas trees, including two towering trees. View Mr. Hearst’s celebrated art collection in the warm glow of thousands of holiday lights. Your knowledgeable guide will share stories of holiday festivities during the estate’s heyday.

The Holiday Twilight tour will be offered on select nights from November 25 th through December 30th, 2022.

Accessibly Designed Grand Rooms Tour

This tour is wheelchair accessible and is also designed for visitors who have difficulty climbing up and down stairs, or who cannot stand or walk for lengths of time. The Accessibly Designed Grand Rooms Tour visits the estate’s most opulent social gathering rooms to reveal what it was like to be a guest at The Enchanted Hill—known today as Hearst Castle.

Cottages & Kitchen Tour

This tour features two of the luxurious mansions that housed the Hearst family and their guests before Casa Grande was ready. Offering magnificent Pacific coast and mountain views, these ornately gilded “cottages” are thousands of square feet in size. The famous wine cellar and gigantic kitchen in Casa Grande are included in this tour.

TOUR RESERVATION CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICY Reservations can be made, changed, or cancelled at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. Changes to tour date or time: no additional charge if made in advance. A non-refundable registration fee per ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.

Upstairs Suites Tour

Climb the spiral stairs (322 steps) through the upper levels of Casa Grande to admire Mr. Hearst’s own Gothic Suite, the enchanting Celestial Suite in the bell towers’ level, the main library with 150 ancient Greek vases, the della Robbia Room, and a clever Duplex Suite.

TOUR RESERVATION, CHANGE AND CANCELLATION POLICY Reservations can be made, changed, or cancelled at ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-4445. Changes to tour date or time: no additional charge if made in advance. A non-refundable registrationfeeper ticket and a $7.00 per cart fee will be charged for cancellations.

Grand Rooms Tour

Best for first-time visitors, this overview of Hearst Castle offers an itinerary through the main building called Casa Grande: the Assembly Room, Refectory, Morning Room, Billiard Room and Theater. Tours begin outdoors with several stairs to negotiate on the terraces.

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Visit Hearst Castle with 165 rooms and over 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways. View massive 3-ton elephant seals battle for mates while females give birth to their young on the beaches. Bring your group for a tour of the State Capitol Museum and surrounding historic sites.

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Discover majestic Hearst Castle on this 1-day trip from San Francisco

(price includes round-trip from san francisco and hearst castle entrance tickets).

• Description

Cancellation & Refund Policy

 tour overview:.

• Grand Rooms Tour (recommended by Hearst Castle staff for first-time visitors)
• Upstairs Suites Tour (involves more walking upstairs and downstairs with no access to elevators)
• Cottages and Kitchen Tour
• Designing the Dream
• Evening Tours (available only on the 2-day tour package)

The 1-day tour price includes tax, a full-day private guided tour in an SUV, entrance fees to Hearst Castle and the IMAX movie theater at the visitor center.  

Complimentary pick-up and drop-off

Hearst castle 1-day tour itinerary.

7 am: Join our thrilling full-day custom tour to Hearst Castle after a complimentary pick-up at your hotel in San Francisco

Drive on Highway 101 heading south to Hearst Castle

11:45 am: Lunch Break in  Cambria or San Simeon

After lunch: Head to Hearst Castle in San Simeon

1:00 pm (time and schedules may vary): Go behind the scenes to tour Hearst Castle

Learn more about this stunning and mysterious monument

Visit "Casa Grande" featuring 56 bedrooms (Please note that you will be required to walk up and down stairs).

After this 1-hour narrated walking tour, head back to the visitor center and meet your tour guide

7 am: Join our thrilling full-day custom tour to marvel at the world-famous Hearst Castle. Travel with us and choose quality over quantity as we will customize your private tour according to your preferences. We will meet your travel needs and expectations! The tour will return to San Francisco at 7pm to 7:30 pm. Other pick-up locations are available within the San Francisco Bay Area, including South San Francisco, SFO, San Jose, and Monterey County. After the complimentary pick-up at your hotel, your passionate tour guide will drive you along Highway 101 heading south to San Simeon to visit the majestic Hearst Castle. This trip will last for about 4 hours or more (each way). You will drive through Silicon Valley, Gilroy (‘The Garlic Capital of the World’), Salinas (John Steinbeck's birthplace) and Paso Robles wine country, where you will head toward Cambria. Did you know Highway 101 was originally known as ‘El Camino Real’ (the King Highway), when it was California's Mission Trail founded by Spanish explorers in the 17th-century. This historic roadway trail links four presidios, 21 missions, and several pueblos stretching from Mission San Diego de Alcalá in southern of California to Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma County. Along this highway you will drive through Salinas, Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield, King City, San Lucas, San Ardo, San Miguel, and Paso Robles wine country. Admire the contrast between flat green valleys and surrounding volcanic peaks along the Gabilan Mountains, where the spectacular volcanic Pinnacles National monoliths and spires rise above the clouds. Enjoy lunch in Cambria or San Simeon, which is just south of Hearst Castle. There are many restaurants with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and its rugged coastline.

Tour Prices

Hearst castle 1-day private tour prices.

This SUV tour is totally private, and the price is per person.

Book this Tour by SUV

Select date from calendar.

Select Number of guests

This VAN tour is totally private and not available for public or individual reservations. The price is per party and not per person.

Book this Tour by VAN/A 14-PASSENGER MINIBUS

Included : Pick-up and drop-off in San Francisco,  all applicable taxes, Hearst Castle entrance fees and tickets, a full day 12-hour private guided tour from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm when starting and ending the tour in San Francisco. We can also start and end your private custom tour in Silicon Valley  at no extra cost, the length of the trip will be adjusted  based on your pickup/drop off location as we are based in San Francisco.

Not included : The price does not include overtime, meals, driver’s gratuity (15% of the amount is customary in the US), and all optional activities or features not stated above.

Note : This tour does not go to Big Sur, Monterey or Carmel but straight from San Francisco to Hearst Castle via Highway 101.  

Term & Refund Policy

General terms, declined transactions, other terms and information, additional terms & tips for visitors and hikers.

More Terms and Miscellaneous

Our Terms, Refund and Cancellation Policy are as follows:

-91% of the total amount will be refunded to your credit card if you cancel your trip at least 16 business days prior to the scheduled tour (or the date of the tour or service). The remaining 9% covers the required transaction fees; that’s 4.5 % per each transaction (booking is one transaction and refunding is a second transaction for which we get charged as well). (weekends and holidays don’t count).

-50% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled at least 8 business days prior to the scheduled tour date or service. (weekends and holidays don’t count).

-15% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled at least 6 business days prior to the scheduled date of the tour (weekends and holidays don’t count).

-0% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled 5 business days, or less, prior to the day of the scheduled tour or service. This includes no-shows. (weekends and holidays don’t count)

Please note that all refunds are subject to credit card and merchant’s fees imposed on us by credit cards companies and merchant banks or providers. The average amount of credit cards and merchant’s transactions fees may range between 3.9 % to 9.8% of the total amount of your purchase (transaction) based on the type of credit card you use when booking this tour, the credit card issuer, country and conversion fees we are subject per transaction. Many foreign countries apply additional origination and conversions fees.

Important: Please note that we reserve the date(s) you requested and booked on our website for you and we decline taking other tours for these date(s) to honor yours. We keep a tour guide and a luxury vehicle on hold and make all required reservations and arrangements for you and your party, so please don’t change the date or cancel at the last minute as we have other customers and tours to honor.

– Reservation and Confirmation: As soon as you book online, a merchant receipt is generated automatically and sent to you via email. We will also confirm your reservation by email and send you a tour voucher or email confirming your booking date, tour and pick-up time. This tour confirmation or voucher is only valid for the specific date(s) you reserved on our website, and only valid for the names listed on the booking. You can’t transfer the names or ask for a different date(s), as we have other tours to honor. You may not change the tour date within 15 days from the date of the scheduled tour you booked, and there will be no alternative days offered.

In an effort to honor all tours, we reserve the right to partner with other tour operators, freelancers, and/or our sister companies. The exact name and contact information of your tour operator will be stated on your tour voucher and the trip confirmation will be issued especially for you after we received your approved transaction.

-All tours are subject to availability as we may get several tour requests at the same time. Approved payment transactions do not guarantee your tour unless it has been confirmed via email.

Please note that when transactions are declined, we do not receive any information in this regard, so  do not expect your reservation to be in place unless you received written confirmation.  Please contact us asap, but do not expect us to honor your tour without an email confirmation and tour voucher from us.

If your booking was declined by your own bank, this is often due to a mismatch between your bank information (such as the names on the credit card, zip/postal code or billing address) compared to the bank information you provided on our website when placed your order. Sometimes, transactions are declined due to insufficient funds as well. Your tour(s) will not be confirmed until your new transaction is approved by your own bank. We apologize for the inconvenience, but your own bank did so to prevent fraud and protect your credit card information or due one of the above factors.

All our tours are subject to availability even when the transactions are approved. We will get back to you as soon as possible and let you know if the required tour(s) and date(s) still available. Also, all our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise stated in the email or tour voucher confirmation we will send you soon, once your transaction is approved.

We reserve the right to offer you suitable substitutes or changes to your itinerary, tours or services due to special events, weather conditions, road closures, vehicle breakdowns, unpredictable circumstances, unavailability and/or due to last minute reservations. We assume no responsibility for delays caused by accidents, breakdowns, unforeseen accidents or events, road, weather conditions and/or all other circumstances beyond our control. We do not guarantee to arrive to, or depart from, any point at a specific time for the same above considerations. However, we will do our very best to honor your tour itinerary and schedule accordingly.

Wheelchair and Handicap Accessibility issues: We apologize but our vehicles are not equipped with wheelchair access. There is no room for a wheelchair in our vehicles unless it’s a very small and foldable wheelchair. However, the main concern is the customers’ ability to get it in and out of the vehicles for liability issues. When kids, seniors, and wheelchairs are part of the tour, this will slow down the trip, and requires overtime. $179 will be charged to your credit card for each additional hour added to the tour after 12 hours by van, and $129 per hour when touring by SUV.

Pets:  Pets are not allowed in our vehicles out of respect for those who have allergies to pets.

Smoking:  Our vehicles are also non-smoking.

Clothing:  Please be prepared for cold weather, slippery roads and hiking trails, so have comfortable waterproof hiking shoes to walk on the snow in winter and spring. This long day-tour is hard on kids and seniors, we therefore recommend the overnight tour package.

Parks, Attractions and Site’s Closures:  We are not responsible, nor liable, for road and weather conditions. State and national parks’ closure can happen at any time and without a prior notice, due to bad road and weather considerations. No refund will be issued, regardless the reasons for which the trip may not reach its destination. If you cancel or stop the tour for personal or medical reasons, there will be no refund or change of tour or dates offered either.

Guided tours in foreign languages: All tours in foreign languages are subject to extra fees to cover tour guides or freelancers we may hire to honor your tour in the required language.

Travel Agents:  Travel agents are liable for 20% gratuity when their customer does not tip the driver or tour guides. We require customers’ full name and contact information from all travel agent or the tour will be cancelled. Travel agent are also liable for all overtime when their clients do not pay for, and a credit card will be needed on file. Due to high cost of conducting business in California, we barely cover our business expenses and wages, therefore, all our tours are non-commissionable rates.

Gratuity: 15 to 20% gratuity is required and customary in the USA. Generally, a tip may vary between 15% to 20% of the total purchase amount, or it can be a flat amount that is near the appropriate percent. It really depends upon the situation, and your generosity because without gratuity tour guides can’t thrive in this expensive state of California, and without tour guides, we can’t run this business. Thank you for your generosity and understanding.

Muir Woods National Monument new regulations: Once in Muir Woods National Monument, you’ll find out that it has become less crowded and even very peaceful because Muir Woods has become the first national park to require reservations in advance with special commercial and parking permits. This extra cost and in addition to the complicated reservations process turn off manty visors and tour companies from visiting Muir Woods. No one can visit or access Muir Woods anymore without prior reservations and permits. But don’t worry, thanks to our private tours and small group custom trips, we will take care of all the required arrangements and offer you a worry-free tour package, we do reserve and pay for your parking and Muir Woods permits, however, your Muir Woods tickets are not included in the tour price and will be at your charge ($10 per person, but may go up again).

Please note that tour guides are not allowed to conduct guided tours to Alcatraz or Muir Woods. Your Alcatraz and Muir Woods are self-guided tours as stated on our website (an audio self-guided tour on your own for Alcatraz prison). Also, in order to keep the cost down, we therefore do not include a drop-off at your hotel after you visit Alcatraz, so you don’t pay overtime or have a driver waiting for you while visiting Alcatraz Island. The Fisherman’s Wharf hotels are walking distance from Alcatraz landing. Public transportation is very affordable and available everywhere.

Alcatraz tours and tickets and the use of our online calendar: The only online calendar available on our website is extremely hard to manage and update on daily basis. This calendar governs all our tours and available in over 10 different languages which multiplies the number of tour options by 10! When Alcatraz tickets are sold out, we cannot simply block the calendar for these particular date(s) because this will prevent all other clients from booking any of our tours in 10 different languages, this would put us all out of business! Alcatraz represents only 1% of our tours and it’s extremely impossible to block the calendar each time Alcatraz is sold out. For that reason, we have amended these terms and conditions on our website stating clearly unequivocally the following terms regarding Alcatraz tour and tickets:

-All our tours including Alcatraz are subject to availability even if the transaction is approved. We do reserve the right to void or refund your transaction when Alcatraz tickets are sold out, this is totally out of our hands as the only provider of Alcatraz tickets and tours are governed by the U.S. National Park Service.

-We do require 8 business weeks in advance when booking our Alcatraz tour during the peaks season, holidays and week-ends. The peak season refers to the period of April to the end of October.

-We reserve the right to offer you alternative tours when Alcatraz is sold out, if you decline our offer, we simply and fully refund your transaction which takes about 10 business days before your funds are available to you as stated above under section “voided and refunded transactions” clause.

Common mistake some customers do: When Alcatraz tickets are sold out, customers rush desperately to book directly Alcatraz tour on our website without taking the time to review our terms and conditions in this regard, we are not to blame in this case as we made it extremely clear that we have no control over Alcatraz tickets when they are sold out, for that reason we do require at least 8 business weeks booking in advance!

The misconception about private tours: There a misconception about private tours. Yes, public large bus group tours are more cost-effective for the operator, than private tours. In essence, the input cost of private tours and public tours are roughly the same - both provide one driver or a tour guide, one vehicle, same trip length whilst both companies assume the same business expenses and commercial insurance liability. However, private tour operators (like ours) make 90% less profit than public group tours, because all our resources are dedicated to a small group (couples or families), whilst the pubic tour operators make 10 times more profits thanks to the volume(quantity)! We, on the other hand, focus on quality as we never share our private tours with other customers. Yet, although we provide a higher quality tour service, and incur even greater expenses in many cases, the profit margins are limited. This makes some of our private tours barely profitable due to the increasing cost and liability of conducting business in California.

– If you are subject to car or motion sickness, please consider asking your doctor for recommended medication. Some visitors underestimate this aspect and end up visiting only 50% of the tour as they suffer from this or altitude sickness and make an excessive number of stops along the way. Please consult your doctor and ensure you have the appropriate medication in advance.

– Consider leaving unnecessary luggage at your hotel and travel light so you have more room in the vehicle.

– Wear clothes and shoes suitable for walking and hiking (Snow shoes in winter are recommended, and a swimsuit to enjoy the hotel’s swimming pool and hot tub).

– Bring sunscreen, bug spray, extra memory cards, and batteries for your camera (if applicable).

– Warm layers for cooler weather and a raincoat for summer showers.

– Drink lots of water due to the high altitude and don’t hike alone, as we offer fully-guided tours.

– We are not responsible for injuries or accidents that may occur during this trip, in or out of Yosemite National Park. Please read our < href="/terms-conditions">terms and conditions for more information.

-Expect rugged terrain with narrow, steep, and very curvy hiking trails to the sequoias. Also, be prepared for a downhill hike and then back uphill to the parking lot. The trail is very steep right at the beginning on the way back up but mellows out as you get closer to the parking lot. It depends on the grove your driver will choose for you, but they all require hiking. The elevation at the trail head of both top groves is about 6,200 feet (1,860 meters). The most popular is the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, the distance is about 2.5 miles (4 km) round trip and takes about 1.5 – 2 hours of hiking, and recommended for everybody who can hike including kids.

-California Gold Country: When Tioga Pass road (located between Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra where a major highway leads to Tahoe) is closed due to heavy snow that may start as early as October until about June or July, we will drive through the infamous, yet legendary, California Gold Country on day 2 and day 3 of your adventure.

-Please note that we may start in Lake Tahoe first, and then head to Yosemite National Park or vice versa. This will depend on the hotels’ availability, the season, the weather and road conditions. We do not work on commission, so you are welcome to book your own hotel, but if you don’t want to deal with these details, we can take care of that on your behalf when you choose the option ‘hotel included’ from our shopping cart.

Hotel Reservation: To keep costs down, we charge each guest only about $100 per night, for a three-star hotel in and around Yosemite Valley area, based on availability. However, if you have high expectations of the hotel accommodation, and wish to upgrade, we recommend that you choose your own hotel and book it directly with the required resort or hotel. The Majestic hotel (the former Awhanhee) is the only 4-star hotel in the Yosemite Valley where a suite may go from $600 to $1200 per night based on availability and the season. Please note that there are a very limited number of hotels in Yosemite, and they are often sold out 6 to 12 months in advance, so the sooner you book the better. However, we often manage to get a hotel reservation nearby Yosemite Valley, in one of the small resort or motel style hotels in the area, for reservations closer to the tour date.

Foreign Languages: Our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher. Some foreign languages are subject to additional fees. For all foreign languages, you must book a Private Tour and not a semi-private tour to enjoy the tour in the required language (subject to availability). Additional fees may apply on any additional foreign languages. All semi-private tours are conducted in English and can be shared with other clients. Semi-private tours will no longer be available on our website. Please book your private tour asap as our tour bilingual tour guides are booked up months in advance.

Miscellaneous: Meals and tour guide/driver gratuities are not included in our tour price unless indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.

Tour prices do not include additional fees including wine tasting, accommodations, and entry fees to see attractions and sites, winery tours, unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.

-All vehicles operated by Golden Horizon Travel LLC are non-smoking according to state and federal laws.

-Golden Horizon Travel LLC reserves the right to hire independent tour guide/drivers, subcontractors and/or contractors to facilitate our tours, shuttle services and travel packages.

-In the event that we are unable to facilitate your tour due to weather and/or road conditions, we will attempt to reach each location, site and destination using alternative routes, but we are not liable nor responsible for these unforeseen weather/traffic conditions. No refunds will be available.

-All photos or videos taken by our staff of our customers or passengers, during the capacity of the tour, trip or transfer, may be included on our website. Customers hereby agree to the use of these photos and videos and under no circumstances can customers dispute.

-No substitution or refunds for any unused part of the tour(s) will be issued. All sales are final.

-No refunds will be issued for a no-show or unused portion of the tour.

-All refund and/or voided transactions paid on our website by credit or debit cards or via PayPal may take up to 2 weeks before you receive the funds (refunds) back into your account.

Our hot-air balloon rides are no guaranteed to depart and arrive back in Napa Valley and subject to last-minute cancelation for weather considerations. Golden Horizon Travel LLC reserves the right to fly anywhere within 80-mile radius of Napa Valley dependent on the weather conditions.

-We reserve the right to refuse service to any person or business who may refuse to comply with our safety instructions, our tour itinerary, or to anyone who may pose a threat to our customers and/or our tour guide-drivers. Screaming at or insulting tour guide-drivers or fellow passengers or third-party businesses and subcontractors is not acceptable under any circumstances and will terminate and cancel your tour without any refund. Discrimination against a customer or a tour guide–driver for any reason is not acceptable either under any circumstance.

Cancellation due to unforeseen weather conditions: Weather/Unforeseen Circumstances like fires, landslide, road closure, vehicle breakdown, employees or driver’s medical emergency or due other weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances; we revere the right to offer you alternative tours, destinations for the same amount of time.

Modifications of these terms and conditions: Golden Horizon Travel LLC and its affiliated websites or contractors reserve the right to change any of these terms and conditions under which this website is offered. We reserve the right to change our web contents, update our terms and privacy policy anytime and at our discretion without a prior notice. Learn more about our privacy policy and complete terms and conditions LEARN MORE

Check out some of our latest authentic and trusted testimonials

Stop reading reviews! This is the right tour company for you

My mother recently had her 80th birthday. Having lost her husband, my father, 6 months ago, my sister and I decided to take my mother on a trip to refresh her mind and body.

She is recovering from a stroke. She had never seen California before. We live on the East Coast. We wanted to see the redwoods, the pacific, the wine country, the golden gate, the city and all the wonders found in the San Francisco Bay area.

We only had 4 days to see all these things....what to do? How do we make sure my mother is safe, comfortable, relaxed and enjoying these sights in Monterey and Carmel?

Luck led to meet goldenhorizontravel.com and I spoke with Nelly, then Adam by phone, he understood our needs, and we arranged a two-day private tour.

My family cannot say enough good things about Golden Horizon Travel office staff, and our awesome tour guide, Adam. He was kind, protective, proactive, compassionate and knowledgeable from history to horticulture, multi-lingual, musical, humorous, interesting, a safe driver, great company, polite, a great teacher.... and the list can continue until all superlatives in the English language are exhausted! My mother is still talking about the trip and how perfect it was even with the recent fires. Adam knew how to outsmart the fires smoke and the traffic. We saw everything we hoped for, and more without the trip being hectic or exhausting. The pace was comfortable, and we learned and experienced with joy.

The tour was customized to us and our unique situation. Adam did everything to be at my mother's arm at every doorstep and incline. He even borrowed a golf cart from a golfer at Pebble Beach in order to give my mother a ride, sparing her a steep, outside staircase. We did not need to ask...he intuitively knew how to help and be "present" to our needs.

If you are considering a tour with Golden Horizon Tours, and Adam, I hope you’ll make a reservation with this local and reliable tour company in San Francisco. You will not be disappointed and I’m happy to be a reference.

Thank you, Golden Horizon Travel and Adam. My mother is still boasting to all about you, we now have a true friend in town!

Marisa de Paulis-Hawn

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Trip Advisor Senior Contributor

3 Day Hearst Castle, Central California & Big Sur Travel package with hotel included

Myself and 5 girlfriends had planned a trip visit to San Francisco bay area and we wanted to experience Monterey, the 17-Mile drive, Big Sur and Hwy 1 to Hearst Castle. We debated about renting and driving ourselves, then we found out that most parks and places we wanted to visit require a commercial permit and entrance fees , and most hotels were already booked up. Driving through big sur was not easy at all, so we were very glad that we chose Golden Horizon Tours instead.

From the booking online to the tour itself, this tour company went above and beyond to accommodate us.

Mary, our tour guide, picked us up on time at our hotel and Adam loaded our luggage into our roomy comfortable large van for our trip down the coast.

A rainstorm was brewing so we made haste to get on our way. Mary provided us with lots of local information as we travelled along. Adam helped us have a fabulous trip with lots of laughs and some of the best photographs we ever made a s a group .We enjoyed lunch at the Fish Hopper in the Cannery Row in Monterey, then a quick walk through the area of Cannery Row ,before we started our spectacular trip along 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach and Carmel.

Mary stopped along the way for us to enjoy the wonderful views and Adam was quick to snap many pictures with our phones and cameras! Mary and Adam were exceptional and so fun! They knew all the best places and hidden gems for photos and viewing, providing plenty of history and information as we drove along the way from San Francisco to Santa Cruz and Monterey. We enjoyed the stop at the Pebble Beach Golf Course as well, but alas no sign of Clint :(

We managed to get well on our way along Hwy 1 before the rain started. As no one has control over the weather, we were soon in mist and rain , with little to see. This was when we were glad someone else was at the wheel! We too advantage to stop in an old lounge and had hot chocolate and coffee by a fireplace where locals meet to read newspapers… rain or shine, it didn’t really matter, every minute was well spent and very well organized, these folks are truly professionals!

Mary drove expertly. Adam kept us entertained with jokes and then found out he had some talented singers on board. We took over the microphone and started singing in the bus, that’s was fun! I love these guys approach and how they made us feel so comfortable. It wasn't long before we could see more scenery along the coast of Big Sur.

Big Sur is scenery so beautiful and enjoyable if you are not at the wheel. Boy! This was one of steepest winding mountain roads we have ever seen; with endless winding turns, cliffside routes and switchback. If you want to enjoy big sur, don’t drive! we were glad someone else was at the wheel

We had a nice lunch break in Big Sur in a hidden restaurant with striking ocean views(we could have never even found it on our own). We were told that Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles spent some time there at this open-air restaurant where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton featured in “the Sandpiper”, one of our favorite movies of Elizabeth Taylor.

After lunch, Mary and Adam took us on a walking tour to a redwood forest to see the giant sequoias, and to waterfalls where we got to see a couple of California condors. We also liked our stop in Rugged Point and at Piedras Blancas where we saw massive elephants’ seals on the beach. The elephant seals were a sight to behold, after we dodged a few puddles to get to them.

We arrived in San Simeon and Mary dropped up off at a nice restaurant ,so they could check us in while we had our dinner. Our accommodation at this intimate lodge was so comfortable and peaceful. The next morning, we had a complimentary breakfast by the pool, and then, we walked to the beach located half block away from this hotel. Mary and Adam checked us out of the hotel, we didn’t have to deal with checking in and out of the hotel and no credit card was required this time for incidentals.

On the way to the Hearst Castle, we stopped to picture zebras roaming through the Hearst Castle state park. We got to Hearst Castle and visited the Grand Rooms, gardens and outdoor pool. The IMAX film at the visitor’s center was excellent. At the gift shop, Adam purchased a DVD on the secrets of Hearst Castle with Patricia Hearst: which we watched on our drive back to San Francisco. ( I think he was afraid we would start singing again!!!).

After Hears Castle, we visited Morro Bay, Avila Beach and spent the last night at gorgeous cliffside resort in San Luis Obispo. We picked up this mineral spring resort and booked a package deal to relax, enjoy their mud path and naturally heated mineral spring and pools. 4 of was signed up for the yoga class, this is real hidden gem which was recommend to us by Nelly and Golden Horizon Travel.

The next day, we visited three wineries in Enda Valley, we loved their chardonnays, this by far was the smallest and most beautiful wine country we have been to.

We wish we could have more time to spend in this region, but we had a flight the day at SFO. Mary dropped us off at the Airport and we flew back home to Calgary.

Calgary, Canada

“Monterey, Carmel and 17 miles Drive tour review Dear CEO of Golden Horizon Travel”

I have already sent you a hard copy of this tour review we posted on trip advisor regarding our trip to Carmel and Monterey with Adam, our fabulous tour guide on our adventure to Carmel, Monterey, 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach etc... In case he doesn’t share it with you, we did want you to see this tour review because we had the best tour ever with your company thanks to Adam!

As you can tell after reading this tour review, Adam was a terrific tour guide. We feel so fortunate that he was our tour guide-driver. In fact, my brother said this about Adam: “You know that Carol and I have been on a lot of private tours, probably about 50, and Adam was the best guide we’ve ever had”. It’s hard to beat that for a compliment!

Thank you for helping to make our visit to San Francisco, Carmel and Monterey a very special trip for all four of us. I’ll have to say that I was so very impressed with the kindness and congeniality of the people we encountered in San Francisco. Everyone we encountered was delightful, friendly, kind and anxious to help if we needed directions or whatever. It was impressive for such a big city.

With kind regards and may your business continue to be very successful. We certainly will recommend Golden Horizon Travel is someone we know is travelling to the area and needing travel help.

Once again, we all want to thank Adam you for the wonderful day we spent touring Carmel, Monterey, the Pebble Beach golf course (and the clubhouse!!!), along with all the other sites we saw on that fun-filled day that month. You made the day (and into the evening) absolutely sensational. Although brother Bob and Carol had been to this area, Ben and I had not, so to see it with you guiding us along made for an enlightening day. We feel so fortunate that YOU were our tour guide.! Your sense of humor, your wealth of knowledge about the areas we saw, your excellent driving skills, your desire to make sure that all four of us were comfortable and informed and your ability to get us onto the 17 Mile Drive as well as into the Pebble Beach Clubhouse (where the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am tournament was held) just made the day so wonderful. No other tour company could get access to the 17 mile drive that day! We still can’t believe we did and saw all these famous actors out there! Well, I’ll never hold it against you Adam that you informed the guard at the entrance that you had a carload full of seniors from Georgia who only wanted to see the Lone Cypress!! HEE ! I hate to admit it, but I guess we are just that- seniors.! ha(no body was allowed on the 17 Mile drive this day except celebrities, but we made it! )

Again, thank you Adam (alias Hoke) for making our tour so much fun and memorable. You add such a personal touch and you have the unique ability to make everyone feel so comfortable and so special. You went above and beyond making sure we would have a fabulous day in Monterey and Carmel. And we did.!! The photos you took for us are amazing!

Linda, Ben, Bob and Carol

Atalant, Georgia

“Marvelous day with an equally marvelous guide!”

My husband and I are computer geeks, so we could not miss the opportunity to go on a tour of Silicon Valley during our trip to San Francisco in California. I am so glad we decided to go with Golden Horizon. Our guides Adam and David went out of their way to ensure that we had a great time. They made sure we saw all the good spots and then some more like Stanford University, HP garage in Palo Alto, Apple Headquarters in Cupertino, the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, the Intel Museum, Oracle, Googleplex and Facebook, ... all in one day tour. We didn’t even feel rushed at all. We would definitely give our Silicon Valley tour experience five stars and we will recommend it to our friends and colleagues.

We had just the right amount of time in each place, stop, and a nice seafood platter for lunch, and amazing day trip with an excellent driver! I cannot imagine a more professional and competent travel company. Everything was arranged beautifully. Do yourself a huge favor and let this tour company handle everything – they are simply marvelous.

Lincoln, Nebraska

“3 Day California Tour Package - Recommended 4 families with kids!”

We picked Golden Horizon after following on Trip Advisor leads and reviews realizing the need for an expert tour guide and driver. I not only requested a custom tour (Muir Woods and Horseback Riding one afternoon, then a long day of driving from San Fran down to Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Pismo Beach & dropped us off at the 4 season in Santa Barbara) but I also requested Adam who is highly rated on trip advisor. He has been working as a tour guide for over 15 years. He is truly knowledgeable, caring, full of history, full of humor and might have taken more than 400 pictures of my family as he guided us through California. Golden Horizon is real & I'm happy to provide a reference and endorse them. Again, a big thumbs up!

Scott_cpmeRI

Rhode Island

TA Senior Reviewer

2-day Fabulous Tour of Monterey and Hearst Castle

Golden Horizon Travel and Buddy are the best thing that happened to us in San Francisco. They are reliable, friendly, professionals and very accommodating.

Maya and Stacey R.

Beverley , Massachusetts

“A fantastic overnight tour along the Pacific Coastline!”

My family of 4 +1 took a private tour of Monterey Bay, Carmel, Big Sur and Hearst Castle. We had huge suitcases which wouldn't have fit in an SUV, and he was kind enough to accommodate us by bringing a large luxury van instead at no extra charge! Jon was the tour guide and driver, he is very polite, professional and with an awesome personality !

From gazing at beautiful vistas of the ocean to spending an afternoon looking at lazy elephant seals, sea otters and sea lions, we saw quite a lot in the span of our 2-day big sur trip. The overnight accommodation at the hotel was very comfortable and we got food suitable to our dietary requirements. The hotel was intimate and small with only 45 rooms, we could see the ocean from our room.

All in all, this 2-day Hearst castle overnight trip is a must do for all ages and travelers, it was a great time spent with the family and new friends!

Golden Horizon is the BEST! 5 STARS ALL THE WAY!!!

CHANDRAKANT P. United Nations Dr.

New Delhi, India

“Family vacation in California with Golden Horizon Travel”

After reading reviews about Golden Horizon, tours, I’ve decided to go ahead and book a California travel package with them with hotel accommodation included.

Our journey started in San Francisco and ended in Santa Monica, in Los Angles. We visited San Francisco, Napa, Yosemite national park, Monterey, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles. Our tour guide was Leo, he is young, energetic and yet very experienced. This destination is underrated, and highly recommended for the whole family.

I recommend taking an extra day to avoid rushing and take the time to visit more places along the way.

We highly recommend this outdoor adventure and this business.

Maastricht, Belgium

Awesome horseback adventure on the beach and tour of Monterey and Big Sur

We booked a private tour of San Francisco combined with a horseback ride on the beach, and a full day outdoor adventure to Monterey and Big Sur. Both tours were fully personalized and very well organized.

We were so lucky, we got Adam as our tour guide, he is a fantastic, fun and knowledgeable tour leader.

We managed to see amazing places along California pacific coast highway between San Francisco and Big Sur. We enjoyed very much our horseback ride on the beach near Santa Cruz, and the hike we took to remote beaches in big sur region.

I can go on and on, this tour company was so easy to work with, and they always responded promptly in Spanish, their tour guides are the best and highly recommended.

*Thanks a bunch Adam for the recommendations about the best places to see in Los Angeles, we were not disappointed!

Noemi & Manuel D.

 Lleida, Spain

Our Monterey and Carmel private tour with Mary

Mary is a fun native san Franciscan tour guide; she made our trip so fun and memorable. She has a good way of dealing with kids and keep everyone entertained and enjoying the trip. We made over 15 stops along the way to Monterey and a ton of photographs.

This getaway is a nice and easy day trip from San Francisco. Nelly who works in the office was very helpful and accommodating, she even responded to our live chats late at night and responded to our inquires and questions before we booked. Their website is every detailed and easy to use.

Shlomi , Sh.

Nes Ziona , Israel

"A fun outdoor adventure along California coast highway"

After the trip we took to Alcatraz and Muir Woods with this tour company, we realized how good their tour guides are, this motivated us to book this extra day trip along the coast with this tour company. Our kids were so excited; we had a picnic lunch at the beach and then drove up to local parks and cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, we couldn't have asked for anything more.

This was a fun outdoor adventure and suited the whole family, our young daughters had a blast.

The Parsons’ V.

Toronto, Canada

A fun day family day trip to the redwoods, Monterey and Carmel

Golden Horizon Travel is the best tour company we had in California, the way they run their tours and treat their clients is impressive; they are very professional and reliable.

We reserved three different excursions with them; one to Muir Woods and Point Reyes, one to San Francisco combined with Alcatraz Island and a full day private tour to Monterey and Carmel. We had three different tour guides, all of them lived up to our expectations (Buddy, Luis and Adam).

If you are looking for new adventures, exclusive destinations and a piece of mind, this travel agency in San Francisco is the right business for you.

The Contreras Family

Murcia, Spain

Family Trip to San Francisco and Monterey

We read extensively reviews on trip advisor, and we ended up choosing Golden Horizon Tours over the other tour companies in San Francisco based on their excellent reviews. From day 1, they were very responsive and helpful when we approached them by email and through their website live chat.

This is the only tour company in San Francisco that provides private services and guided tours with Spanish speaking tour guides. We booked all our trips with them (Yosemite, Muir Woods, Alcatraz/ San Francisco and Monterey), and we are so glad we did.

This was our first trip the USA and California, and we loved every trip we took with this tour company.

We highly recommend them to all travelers and families with teens.

M. Sandoval

Zaragoza, Spain

Big Sur day trip from San Francisco with Golden Horizon

A three-generation day trip to Big Sur from San Francisco with Adam. The trip was a blast and the weather were awesome. If you have never been to Big Sur before, don’t even hesitate, go and check out this hidden gem, it’s totally worth the money you’ll spend.

Montgomery, Alabama

Trustworthy tour company and highly recommended

My wife and I travel often for business purposes. We took many private tours in the past, but this is by far the best tour company we have worked with. We booked tour package through this tour company and visited beautiful places like Yosemite, Tahoe, Alcatraz and Monterey.

This is a trustworthy tour company and highly recommended

Aguilar E.M.

Santander, Spain

"Our California adventure from San Francisco to Los Angles"

Our travel agent Mrs. Pugh organized a full day California road trip by private SUV with Golden Horizon Travel. We had a driver and a tour guide who was extremely helpful, knowledgeable and accommodating.

The hotels where we stayed in Carmel, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbra and in Los Angeles were very comfortable and all were 4-star resorts.

There is so much to see in California, 4 days went by so quickly, however, we had plenty of time to visit the sites we were interested in along California state highway 1. Our tour guide was so engaging and kept us informed, entertained and informed. The only regret we had is that Big Sur road was closed due to a huge mud slide.

Y. Ben-Yaacov

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

"A fantastic tour of San Francisco and Monterey Peninsula"

My wife’s relatives came over from oversees to visit us in Florida, it was a hot season, so we decided to travel to California.

I’m so glad we did; we had a fantastic time in San Francisco and Monterey peninsula. We booked a 2-day tour package to Monterey bay area, and we stayed at the Inter-Continental in Cannery Row area, that was the perfect location for day activities and nightlife.

We all loved this tour, we never felt rushed, this was a good fit for the whole family

Miami, Florida

"Big Basin Redwoods horseback ride on the beach in Santa Cruz"

It didn’t take us too long to reach a laid-back beach, so peaceful and beautiful. Have some extra layers (it got foggy when we were leaving).  

After the horseback ride, our fun and very nice tour guide drove us to Santa Cruz where we had lunch in a restaurant located on the Wharf. We ordered a seafood platter which was fresh and yummy, and the views made it the perfect location for our family.  

For me personally, the highlight of our trip was our tour of a beautiful forest of big redwood trees in Santa Cruz mountains. I’ve been to Muir Woods before, but this state park was less crowded than Muir Woods and the redwood trees are much bigger and older in Santa Cruz mountains.

On the way back to our hotel in San Francisco, the tour guide made a quick stop at Apple’s new headquarter in Silicon Valley. We visited the visitor center and the store (while our son was sneaking out to fly his drone over Apple’s new and amazing architecture “it looks like a spaceship from the sky”.) 

We highly recommend this outdoor adventure and this tour company.

Annapolis, MD

"An awesome horseback ride on the beach and Alcatraz tour"

We had to book a combo tour to get our hand on Alcatraz prison tickets, so we signed up for a horseback ride on the beach. It took place in Half-Moon Bay. The scenery along the Pacific coast Highway is breathtaking.  

This tour company is very reliable, and their tour guide Mary was amazing! We felt like we had a friend in town. It was more than a tour - a real and fun experience. Mary even drove us through the Golden Gate Park, and we stopped for a snack and beer tasting at the Beach Chalet, an ocean front restaurant with stunning view of ocean beach in San Francisco.  

Highly recommended

"Fantastic horseback ride near Muir Woods and Stinson Beach"

Well organized silicon valley private limousine tour.

We were picked up by Pat, a nice Irish lady and a wonderful tour guide. She drove us through Mill Valley where we stopped for breakfast before we visited Muir Woods - a peaceful small forest with big and towering redwood trees. The trail through Muir Woods is flat and easy, and there are paved paths for those wanting a casual stroll or more challenging trails. We did both trails along the creek, and our kids had no problem with the twisty paths and stairs although towering redwood trees

After Muir Woods, we had a lunch break at Stinson Beach, which was a great place for a picnic lunch. We enjoyed the delicious fish tacos we ordered, everything was very fresh and sourced locally from Marin county. Near Stinson beach is Bolinas, where we and our kids went on horseback riding in the forest. I’m glad it was only an hour; we could not take more than that as this was our first horseback riding experience.

That was an unforgettable family adventure in Marin county.

Thank you, Pat, for the good memories.

"5-day travel package to Yosemite, Alcatraz, Big Sur and Los Angles"

I know how hard it can be to pick up a tour company from overseas, I was nervous too, and I had a lot of questions. Golden Horizon tours didn’t disappoint, and even exceeded our expectations.

Believe their reviews, they didn’t disappoint us at all.

Auckland, New Zealand

"Golden Horizon Travel is truly golden and 100% recommended!"

It's not easy coordinating tours from another country thousands of miles away with a 15-hour time differential. It's a constant struggle not to get paranoid that there will be a miscommunication somewhere that will ruin everything. But, Golden Horizon Travel, thru Nelly and the office staff including Nick, made it seem like I was talking to someone who was there for me 24-7. All my queries were not only immediately answered but answered clearly and patiently. This is how you know they are local, reliable and experienced professionals when they answer all tricky questions with such confidence and expertise. The company we approached before them was acutely located in Texas and was so heard to reach, and when we finally did, they had no idea how to answer our specific questions.

Moreover, with a little over a week to one of our tours (Napa Valley, Yosemite, Silicon Valley Alcatraz and Hearst Castle), we experienced a death in the family where the memorial service schedule conflicted with the tour date. Even with the very short notice and the confirmed schedules of the other tours during that period, Golden Horizon found a way to accommodate our request to move our tour to a later date, with limitless kindness, compassion and at no extra cost.

As for the actual tours to, Golden Horizon tours, thru our tour guide Mary, Patricia and Marina made the experience of our large group tour by minibus (6 adults and 5 children) truly unique, outskating, fun and memorable. Even with our seemingly cramped requested itinerary and last-minute changes, their tour guides accommodated us on the go and made sure we saw the best sites and ate in restaurants that served delicious food and vegetarian options for our mom. Also, despite the long hours and the distances driving, these guys never once showed a drop in their energy.

Thank you, Golden Horizon Travel, Nelly, Mary, Pat and Nick for the memorable tours. 10 Stars won’t even make justice! Book with them without any doubt or hesitations!

Golden Horizon Travel is 100% recommended!

Baes G. Sergonate

Quezon City, Philippines

"Must-do 2-day tour package to Monterey / Carmel and Big Sur with Mary"

Golden Horizon Travel staff is underrated, and their tour guide Mary is highly recommended. Mary is a local native tour guide of San Francisco with Irish heritage; she is a fantastic travel guide with an abundance of history of places up and down the pacific coast. Mary was extremely flexible and customised our travel itinerary on the go and based on our personal interests and preference. Some of the trip highlights were seeing hidden beaches, giant redwood trees, an old light house, sea otters up close feeding and playing as well as dolphins and elephant seals.

We had fresh seafood in small wharf in tiny old village where the population is under 150 people, this was by the far the best seafood platter we ever had! Ask for their cioppino or for the catch of the day!

We choose to take a drive through the backroads around Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur rather than using the main touristy route. In Big Sur, we drove off the main road throughout steep canyons and got to truly hidden gems and picturesque beaches. I wish we could have more time to spend in Big Sur, it’s breathtaking.

We also visited Carmel Spanish mission of San Carolos and Pebble Beach. An overall; a fantastic outdoor adventure seeing the sights, learning the history and geology of each region we visited and were treated like royalty!

We would definitely use this great local tour company again.

Melbourne, Australia

"There are not enough words to express how much we enjoyed our stay and private tour package with Golden Horizon, Mary and Adam. "

Even though we only had 2 days, our guide Peter was both knowledgeable and accommodating and we were able to see an amazing places and parks along the way to Hearst Castle. We x visit the Monterey aquarium, Carmel, 17-mile drive, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, and all sorts of side stops along the coast to see wildlife and natural attractions but also excellent California cuisine

The experience was great - we learned a lot, got lots of pictures, and got along very well with our awesome tour guide, Peter, a nice British fellow.

Thank you, Golden Horizon Travel, for helping us and making the most of our short time in California!

Excellent private tour of Monterey and Carmel

This was the perfect mix of awe-inspiring scenery, history and marine wildlife viewings. Our guide Peter was outstanding. He was knowledgeable about so many fields of interest and he tailored a tour itinerary for our small group, that was perfect. The SUV was new, comfortable and spotless. Peter also has a knack for photography, so we left with excellent photos.

Margie , Jess & Maddy

I recommend this tour company and trip enthusiastically.

A great outdoor adventure for the whole family to Monterey & Big Sur !

Peter was a great tour guide and driver. Wonderful trip with beautiful scenery and marine habitat viewings. Luxury SUV very comfortable, and Peter is a creative photographer! This trip is underrated and worth the money. We loved Monterey and Carmel; however, Big Sur was the highlight of the trip - getting to the heart of big sur was not easy, and we were glad we had a designated expert driver. Big Sur road is basically a cliff-hanging drive through narrow mountain roads with countless winding turns and curves… we found out that the drive there was very pleasant and fun as long as you are not behind the wheel in this area.

There was also plenty of outdoor activities to do and fun things to see in Big Sur, so many hidden gems located off the beaten path where visitors drive by nonstop. Having an experienced tour guide helped us a lot and made the best out of the day, this was a true outdoor adventure for the whole family.

I love birds and we saw plenty of beautiful birds, squirrels, whales and sea otters, so cool to watch along the coast and in the redwood’s forests in Big Sur region.

I can go on and on…make yourself a favor, visit big sur and hire these folks, they are so passionate and good at what they do.

Bossier City

"A Fantastic way to travel to Monterey & Carmel by-the-sea"

We used Golden Horizon's charter tour to head south through Monterey and do the Pacific Coast Highway. They were professional, punctual and couldn't have been more accommodating. Our guide Jonathan and his trainee Pete were so knowledgeable and helpful, really going way over and above to make sure we had the California experience we were looking for. We had limited time in the area, and they knew where the best stops were.

Sydney, Australia

"We spent 5 magical days with Golden Horizon Tours"

Hubby and I prefer private tours when we travel, bus and public tours are a waste of time. Since it was my 50th birthday we splurged. We had a great time with Buddy in San Francisco and Point Reyes, Mary in Napa and in Silicon Valley and we spent the 2-remaining days with Jonathan in Monterey and big Sur(he is a nice a kiwi guy from Auckland, NZ).

Sunday, we spent the day with John driving south on the Coast toward Carmel and Big Sur. We started down that way and looped our way back north to get most out of the day best lights and exposure, we are both professional photographers. The scenery is amazing and breathtaking. We stopped at this small beach about 30 minutes south of Santa Cruz because John said, "there has been sightings of whales along the coast." As soon as we walked toward the beach the whales started spraying. It was really cool. We went as far down as Bixby Bridge on day 1, and then stopped for lunch at the Rocky Point Restaurant. Then we headed into Carmel and Monterey. It was a long day, but worth every minute. The hotel where we spent the night was cozy and centrally located in Carmel downtown, the perfect location to enjoy Carmel by foot. This is a wonderful and distinct neighborhood that must be explored by foot.

The next day, we drove again through big sur and got to Hearst Castle by noon. Hearst Castle is royal, breathtaking, majestic and stunning…this is a Must-See Attraction when visiting California! The place is gigantic, and the views are inspiring. The swimming pools, gardens and architectural structures are completely extravagant and out of this world. Hearst Castle is truly an American dream for all to experience.

When booking our trip, I spoke with Alan, he was great helping us planning our trips with a great deal of knowledge, patience and enthusiasm. Thank you, Golden Horizon , I will recommend you to anyone I hear is heading to California and San Francisco Bay Area.

Hubby, R.Kymie1,

Virginia, USA

"Golden Horizon tours and their team are simply fantastic & outstanding"

“if you want to create a vacation memory that is as close to perfection as possible, go with golden horizon, they are worth every penny”.

Golden Horizon tours and their team are simply fantastic. Outstanding service from the very beginning! Our reservation agent Nelly set everything up, worked around our dinner reservations and she even worked her magic and found us tickets for a last-minute visit to Alcatraz which were sold out and very hard to come by. We did three different private tours and had the pleasure of working with two different, but equally wonderful guides. Adam took us all over the city on day one to visit all the “key” sites. Although he is originally from France he maneuvered through the city and around traffic like an old pro was just so charming you couldn’t help but adore him. He took photo’s for us with our camera and his all the while sharing great tidbits about each venue and he finished the day off by setting us up at a great restaurant on the water in Sausalito, just a short walk from our hotel ending a picture perfect day. Our good fortune held out as we set out for day two with Mary a San Francisco native that took us to see more of the city hidden sights, filling the day with personal antidotes of what it was like growing up in the city and really brining the city to life. We got a chance to see places that aren’t on the typical tour list and that made it all the more fun. We did spur of the moment things like stop in and tour a house for sale that ended up being the original home of a well-known local poet.

On our third tour, Mary showed up early with coffee in hand for a beautiful day trip to Carmel and Monterey where we stopped at a road side stand and bought fresh picked strawberries, strolled around Carmel by the Sea and shared lunch on the patio at Pebble Beach before taking in the beauty of 17 Mile Drive. If you want to create a vacation memory that is as close to perfection as possible, go with Golden Horizon, they are worth every penny!”

Marcus and Julie

Rochester, MN

"The glowing reviews for Golden Horizons on Trip Advisor ARE REAL!"

Day excursion to monterey and carmel from san francisco.

When I saw the glowing reviews for Golden Horizons on Trip Advisor, I knew I had to book one of their tours for a recent trip to San Francisco. It was difficult to choose which one as they all looked interesting. I decided on the 1-Day Monterey and Carmel tour. We had a problem come up with the date of our booking and Golden Horizons was able to change it to the next day without any problems, much to our relief. Our tour guide Jon was great, very informative and always willing to provide rest breaks for us along the way. He was also trying to spot whales in the distance for us, but unfortunately that day wasn’t very lucky for us in that respect. Highlights of the tour included having lunch at Monterey, visiting the Pebble Beach Golf Course (albeit briefly) and seeing the charming little houses of Carmel. The SUV was also very comfortable, and the tour was run very smoothly and professionally. If you are thinking of taking any tours with this tour company, just do it - you won’t be disappointed. I would definitely choose this company again for other excursions should I return to San Francisco.

Aberdeen City in Scotland

Private city Tour and day trip to Monterrey and Carmel from San Francisco

We took the full day city tour on our first day in the city and it was a great way to get familiarized with the city. Our tour guide, Tom, did an excellent job of showing us all of the sites we wanted to see plus more and gave great historical background If you want to create a vacation memory that is as close to perfection as possible, go with Golden Horizon, they are worth every penny!

We stopped at several different locations for photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, some which were high up in the mountains which I'm sure you wouldn't be able to experience on the larger tours. A trip to Sausalito and Muir Woods was excellent as well. There's no better bang for your buck to see everything in the city in one day.

Our second tour took us to Monterrey and Carmel which provided breathtaking views of the California coast and these unique coastal towns. While very touristy, these towns were very interesting to see and gave us a good look at life outside the city. We also drove down 17-mile drive and got to walk around the beautiful Pebble Beach for a bit. The tour allowed plenty of time for exploring on our own and had some great photo ops. Overall, we definitely recommend tours from this company to get the most out of your vacation!

Jeff and Kim

London, England

"A memorable trip to Monterey and Carmel"

A nice smiling lady came to pick us up at our hotel in south san Francisco with a black SUV, and then drove us along California scenic highway one to Monterey. We felt very comfortable from the very begging and spent the whole day chatting and laughing about everything. We skipped the cannery row and spent more time in Carmel by the sea away from the bus tours. Our walking tour in Carmel was the highlight of our trip to Monterey Peninsula.

Many thanks and happy travels

Detroit, Michigan

"Day Trip to Hearst Castle from San Francisco"

So sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. Firstly, a huge thank you for arranging our tour to Hearst castle. We had a fabulous day.

Mary is a lovely lady and was a fantastic tour guide. Her local knowledge is exceptional, and she made a very long day thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable.

I was extremely pleased when I found that that Mary was our tour guide.

Hearst Castle is a masterpiece of art and architecture, we recommend the overnight trip as this was a long day drive, but worth the money and trip.

Thank you again for arranging our tour, we will certainly be in contact with you when we will next visit San Francisco.

Kind regards

Joanne Cameron

Cowra NSW, AUSTRALIA

We had a fabulous time with our guide Leo. The trip well exceeded our expectations. Leo was extremely fun, helpful and knowledgeable. We enjoyed our relaxing trip from San Francisco, down the coast with him. He knew where to go and stop, we were in very good hands. Leo was friendly and flexible with where we stopped to eat and tour during our entire trip.

I think Big Sur was our favorite place, or was it Carmel, or Hearst Castle, or the strawberry fields. Too many funs filled stops to mention...

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Home » Travel Guides » United States » California (CA) » 10 Best Hearst Castle Tours

10 Best Hearst Castle Tours

Though America doesn’t technically have royalty and castles like Europe does, those distinctions get thrown out the window in regards to uber-wealthy families like the Hearsts.

The Hearst Castle is located just inland from the Pacific Ocean along California’s majestic central coast. It was built in the early decades of the 20th century as an opulent vacation retreat for media mogul William Randolph Hearst and his family.

The castle and grounds are unlike anything you’ll find in the states. They’re located in a state park north of San Simeon and west of Paso Robles.

Featuring stunning architecture that’s reminiscent of what you’d expect to find in Spain and Italy, for more than five decades, it’s been owned and managed by the state of California as a National Historic Landmark.

Below are 10 of the best tours of this American icon.

1. Wine and Hearst Castle Small Group Tour

When it comes to art, scenery, and award-winning wine, there’s really no beating California.

That being said, it’s also home to one of the west coast’s most impressive ‘castles.’

For those who prefer touring in intimate groups and enjoying the local atmosphere in style, this small group wine and castle tour would be a great fit.

Prepare to be awed, wowed, and flabbergasted as you tour the home and grounds with a professional guide who’ll impart fascinating tidbits of family history, and insights into the lives of the well-heeled in eras past.

The tour also includes time for independent exploration, wine tastings at area vineyards, a gourmet lunch, and time to shop at antique stores too.

It’ll be a nine-hour day, so wear comfy shoes and bring a few bucks for lunch, as the cost isn’t included in the tour.

2. Hearst Castle and Central Coast Tour

For lovers of history and culture, no trip to California’s central coast would be complete without a visit to the Hearst Castle.

World-renowned for its impressive architecture, priceless art, and unparalleled luxury, it’s really in a class of its own.

This castle and central coast combo tour can last from between 5 ½ and 7 ½ hours depending on the wishes and interests of participants.

Like many similar tours, it includes lunch, wine tastings, and round-trip transportation to and from your hotel in nearby Cambria.

It’s also accessible for those who use a wheelchair, but arrangements for disabled visitors must be made in advance.

Previous guests have noted that it’s wise to wear layers, as the weather can change quickly.

View Prices & Reviews

3. Hearst Castle, Central Coast and Wine Train Tour from Los Angeles to San Francisco

With its abundance of natural beauty, historic attractions, and top-notch food, wine, and art, visitors to the Golden State could spend weeks between Los Angeles and San Francisco and never get bored.

Add stops at the Hearst Castle, celebrated wineries, and conveyance by train, and you’ve got all the elements of a truly remarkable experience.

The train combo tour begins in Los Angeles, lasts three days, and winds up in San Francisco.

The Hearst Castle is the tour’s centerpiece. Guests will experience its majesty up close and personally with a professional guide while getting a unique historic overview.

The tour includes two nights in beautiful Paso Robles, multiple wine tastings, and free time to explore the galleries, shops, and restaurants in nearby Cambria on the coast.

4. From LA – 5-Day Wild West Tour

Few tours combine the wonders of the Wild West and the stunning extravagance of the country’s wealthy elite, but this 5-day tour from Los Angeles does just that.

It’s a perfect fit for those who like to mix things up and get the most bang for their hard-earned travel dollars. You’ll stop in Vegas, Big Sur, and San Francisco hotspots like the Golden Gate Bridge and Chinatown.

Of course, the Hearst Castle is one of the tour’s highlights. It is usually one of the most memorable experiences of many guests’ trips.

The castle’s lavishness is the stuff of legend, and for most average folk, it’s about as close as they’ll ever get to living the high life.

Click the link below for a full list of included and excluded items.

5. Central Coast Hearst Castle and Wine Train Tour – San Francisco to Los Angeles

Whether you prefer traveling north to south or vice versa, you’ll likely find the perfect tour option that’ll allow you to see California like never before.

This unique 3-day tour is one of the most efficient ways to experience some of the state’s most impressive attractions and towns and includes a guided tour of the Hearst Castle.

Satisfied tour guests consistently rank it as amazing value. They also claim there’s really no more romantic way to take in all the wonder than by train.

In addition to guided and free time at the castle, guests will have ample free time to explore nearby Cambria and Paso Robles, both of which are frequently ranked among the country’s trendiest destinations.

Much of the train route follows the coast, which is often referred to as America’s Riviera.

Oh, and there’s world-class wine and food too.

6. California Coast Day Tour from LA to Santa Barbara and Solvang

Want to experience the Hearst Castle? Santa Barbara? Only have a day?

Fear not, because there’s at least one option that lets you and your travel companions get it all done in record time.

This jam-packed one-day excursion gets underway in sunny LA and includes a professionally guided tour of the Hearst Castle.

It’s a world of priceless rugs, more priceless art, and enough glitz, glamour, and splendor to make a Saudi sheik blush.

It’s really not to be missed. You’ll also enjoy stops at Santa Barbara, where movie stars frolic on glistening white beaches, and the quaint Danish village of Solvang, which is full of old-world charm, traditional bakeries, and cool little shops and galleries.

Round-trip transportation, a professional guide, and admission fees are all included.

7. From San Luis Obispo – The Original Hearst Castle and Paso Robles Wine Country Tour

With a name like ‘The Original,’ it must be good, right?

According to satisfied customers, it’s better than good. The Original Hearst Castle and Paso Robles Wine Country Tour includes many of the state’s most incredible sights and attractions, one of which is the ever-spectacular Hearst Castle.

It’s a full-day tour that gets underway early, which is perfect, because it allows visitors to enjoy the castle while most tourists are just bellying-up to the breakfast buffet at their hotel.

The tour is limited to 13 people, so participants will enjoy more personal service than their big tour counterparts.

Additional activities include stops at two or three boutique wineries, and shopping and lunch in the fantastic seaside town of Cambria just down the road.

8. Hearst Castle, Paso Robles, Wine Country, and Sensorio 3-Day Tour

Weekend getaways are almost always a good idea, whether you’re visiting from out of state or just looking for a brief break from life’s hustle and bustle.

Though you’ll need to call in sick one day, this 3-day tour is perfect for those with abundant wanderlust and limited time.

Tour participants will get ample time to explore the one-of-a-kind Hearst Castle with a professional guide. Though the castle is the tour’s gem, it also includes Sensorio’s Field of Light, scenic drives along Pacific Coast Highway, and time to appreciate amazing wine in some pretty remarkable settings, too.

The tour includes transportation, two nights stay with breakfast in Paso Robles and tasting fees at local wineries.

9. Santa Barbara, Solvang and Hearst Castle Day Trip from Los Angeles

For many visitors from other parts of the country, no place embodies the essence of California like LA.

You could stay within city limits for ages and never run out of things to do. But with unique attractions like the Hearst Castle and Santa Barbara so close, why not consider a day trip or two?

The Hearst Castle can pretty much be summed up in three words – palatial, magnificent, and unforgettable.

Yup, it’s that impressive. While on-site, it’ll be easy to get a unique glimpse or two into the lives of America’s bluebloods during the wild and roaring decades of the early 20th century.

The 12-hour tour also includes stops at Santa Barbara and historic Solvang, two of coastal California’s most unique and starkly different towns.

If you’d rather not stick out as a tourist, consider leaving the Mickey Mouse camera strap and fanny pack at the hotel.

10. 5-Day Tour from LA includes Santa Barbara, the Hearst Castle, San Francisco, Yosemite, and Las Vegas

For those who’ve ever sat and pondered whether it’s possible to take in sites like the Hearst Castle, Yosemite National Park, Hoover Dam, Monterey, Las Vegas, and San Francisco in a mere four days, there’s a clear answer.

Interested? If so, this 5-day whirlwind tour should be on your calendar.

The iconic Hearst Castle in all its glory is one of the tour’s perennial favorites.

It’s darn near impossible not to get swept away by its over-the-top combination of dramatic architecture, unspeakably expensive appointments, and picturesque gardens, but for many, it’s the home and family’s history that they find most alluring.

Tour guests will also enjoy a San Francisco Bay cruise, time at the Golden Gate Bridge, a boat trip around Alcatraz Island, and dining, shopping, and gambling on the Las Vegas strip.

There’s really too much to list, so click the link below to get a complete overview of stops, schedules, and what is and isn’t included.

10 Best Hearst Castle Tours:

• Wine and Hearst Castle Small Group Tour
• Hearst Castle and Central Coast Tour
• Hearst Castle, Central Coast and Wine Train Tour from Los Angeles to San Francisco
• From LA – 5-Day Wild West Tour
• Central Coast Hearst Castle and Wine Train Tour – San Francisco to Los Angeles
• California Coast Day Tour from LA to Santa Barbara and Solvang
• From San Luis Obispo – The Original Hearst Castle and Paso Robles Wine Country Tour
• Hearst Castle, Paso Robles, Wine Country, and Sensorio 3-Day Tour
• Santa Barbara, Solvang and Hearst Castle Day Trip from Los Angeles
• 5-Day Tour from LA includes Santa Barbara, the Hearst Castle, San Francisco, Yosemite, and Las Vegas

A Complete Guide to Hearst Castle Tours

George Rose/Getty Images

Seven decades after its owner William Randolph Hearst left his California castle for the last time in 1947, it continues to fascinate visitors. Today, it's a state park, and the only way to see the house and grounds is on a guided tour.

What to Expect on a Hearst Castle Tour

All Hearst Castle tours spend about an hour at the house, but that turns into a little more than two hours when you include the bus trip up and down the hill. All tours include the Greco-Roman style Neptune Pool outdoors and the Roman Pool, an indoor beauty lined with cobalt blue Venetian glass and shimmering gold tiles.

On any tour, the guides share stories about life at Hearst Castle. They talk about sending for dishes from the San Francisco house when British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited Hearst Castle, explain why there are still price stickers on the catsup and mustard on the dining table, and mention the celebrities who visited.

Hearst Castle Tour Options

If you want to take more than one tour, you can stay on the hilltop between daytime tours (or stay after any tour) to enjoy the gardens and visit the Neptune and Roman Pools. Many of them will require an additional fee (from $30 to $100 depending on the tour) and some are only offered seasonally. While walk-ins are accepted, reservations are strongly recommended. Your admission for the grand rooms, upstairs suits, cottages & kitchen, and Designing the Dream tour will also grant access to a screening of "Building the Dream" at the Hearst Castle theater.

The Grand Rooms Tour

An introductory tour of five ground floor rooms in the main house, the Roman pool, Neptune ppol, and house gardens, as well as admission to the "Building the Dream" film. The route includes 140 steps, both up and down, and a 2/3-mile walk.

Upstairs Suites Tour

Focusing on architecture and art in the main house, this tour takes you upstairs. You'll see the Italian-style Doge's Suite, Duplex bedrooms, the Celestial Suite, the gardens, pools, and the library. The route includes 367 stairs (up and down), 322 of which are on a spiral staircase, and a 3/4-mile walk.

Cottages and Kitchen Tour

This 60-minute outdoor tour focuses on the gardens and includes the wine cellar, Casa del Mar (where Hearst lived his final years), Casa del Monte, the gardens, pools, and the kitchen. The route includes 193 stairs, up and down, and a 3/4-mile walk.

Designing the Dream

Get an overview of how the Castle was built on this 75-minute tour from its earliest construction in the 1920s, through the final touches done in the mid-1940s. See the Casa del Sol guest house and the Art Deco-style north wing of the big house, its newest section. The route has 341 stairs and a 1.2-mile walk.

Art of San Simeon

Offered on select dates, this two-hour semi-private tour focuses on Hearst and how he acquired the paintings, tapestries, and other works of art that decorate the estate. The route has around 740 stairs.

Hearst and Hollywood Tour

This two-hour seasonal tour goes through the connection between Hearst and Hollywood. The semi-private tour gives guest access to any area of the estate shown on daytime tours, with commentary from a knowledgeable guide. There are approximately 750 stairs on the route.

Julia Morgan Tour

The newest addition to the slate of tours follows the life and work of Julia Morgan, the chief architect for Hearst Castle. The two-hour seasonal tour follows her life as the first female certified architect in California. Stops take guests to lesser-visited portions of Hearst Castle and include displays of her architectural drawings, family pictures, and personal effects. The route has around 750 stairs.

Evening Tour

This 100-minute tour combines elements of daytime tours, with stops at Casa del Mar, the refectory, library, Gothic suite, assembly room, kitchen, and billiard room along with the gardens, Roman pool, and Neptune pool. It's given spring and fall, most Friday and Saturday evenings. The costumed docents and nighttime views of the estate make this tour especially magical. There are 303 stairs on the and 3/4-mile route.

Holiday Twilight Tour

From late November until just after New Year's Day, Hearst Castle offers the Holiday Twilight Tour, where you can see the castle decked out for Christmas. The tour is 75 minutes long with 190 stairs and a 2/3-mile walk.

Accessibly Designed Tours

It's sometimes difficult to tour an older structure like Hearst Castle, but Hearst Castle offers modified tours that accommodate all kinds of accessibility issues. They offer accessible versions of the Grand Rooms Tour, Evening Tour, and Holiday Twilight Tour. Brochures are available in most common languages and in Braille. You can visit Hearst Castle in a wheelchair, but you need to call at least 10 days in advance to reserve one.

Getting Tickets for Hearst Castle Tours

• You can buy tickets for Hearst Castle tours at the castle visitor center or  reserve online at Reserve California . If you want to take more than one tour, allow 1 hour 20 minutes between their start times. 
• On a busy day, you could easily arrive at Hearst Castle in mid-afternoon, only to find the next available tour is not until the following afternoon. Save frustrations and reserve your tours in advance. 
• To avoid long waits or even sellouts, reservations are essential for the Grand Rooms Tour, especially during summer and long holiday weekends.

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Hearst Castle: Which Tour to Take + First-Time Guide [2024]

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Hearst Castle is a must-see for any visitors to California.

Nestled in the foggy hills outside of San Simeon, California, Hearst Castle is a massive estate with several guesthouses. Spending an afternoon at Hearst Castle is almost like spending an afternoon back in the 1930s . A museum that doubles as a state park, Hearst Castle is one of a kind.

But with so many different options available, it can be hard to decide which Hearst Castle tour to take. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right tour for your visit.

Hearst Castle, Which Tour to Choose?

In order to enter the property, you must purchase a tour .

Initially, I felt hesitant about being constrained to a tour, but it ended up being totally worth it! The estate became a state park shortly after Hearst’s death, so the early 19th-century vibe is highly preserved.

If you’re short on time, the Grand Rooms Tour is the perfect way to see the best of Hearst Castle. It includes a visit to the castle’s gardens, pool, and grandest rooms, including the Banquet Hall and Roman Pool. The Grand Tour is the most comprehensive option and includes access to all of the castle’s public rooms.

For this reason, the Grand Rooms Tour is recommended for most first-time guests.

For a more in-depth look at the property, opt for the Upstairs Suites Tour. This tour provides a more intimate look at the castle, focusing on the private rooms used by William Randolph Hearst and his guests. This tour is a good choice if you’re interested in hearing stories about the castle’s famous visitors.

And if you’re interested in learning about the castle’s history, take the Behind-the-Scenes Tour. This tour covers topics like architecture, landscaping, and interior design and includes a visit to the property’s basement and kitchen.

No matter which tour you choose, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience at Hearst Castle.

Is Hearst Castle Worth Visiting?

Contrary to many museums, Hearst Castle showcases one man’s life journey in creating the castle. This results in an incredibly engaging tour because as you get to see more of the grounds, you also get to know more about Hearst himself.

Best of all, Hearst is equidistant from both Los Angeles and San Francisco (and only 3 hours from Fresno !) This central location makes Hearst an obvious choice for any California bucket list.

The highlight of the castle is the hodgepodge of art and architecture from all over the world. You can find an ancient Egyptian statue converted into a fountain, ceilings from European monasteries, Spanish friezes, and Greek marble masterpieces decorating the pool.

It is a little overwhelming that so much history and beauty is crammed into one residence. However, the Amerian Association of Museums vetted the entire collection at Hearst.

Hearst Castle Animals

Did I mention that wild zebras roam the property? 

When most people think of Hearst Castle, they think of its lavish style and architecture. But what many don’t know is that Hearst Castle was once home to the world’s largest private zoo.

In the early days of the castle animals including peacocks, ostriches, and even giraffes roamed the grounds, providing a bit of exotic flair. The Hearst Castle zebras are one of the last remaining species after the dismantling of the zoo. If you’re lucky you can still see them from the Pacific Coast Highway as you pass the castle grounds.

Hearst Castle Tour FAQ

No. Only members of The Foundation at Hearst Castle and their guests can swim in the Neptune Pool.

No, you cannot rent a room or stay on the grounds of the castle. The main grounds are strictly for display, although the Hearst family still has access to a private part of the estate for personal use.

Pictures at Hearst Castle can be taken for private use only. Professional shoots and tripods are not allowed.

Hearst offers 13 different tours including private tours. However, many are available on a seasonal basis and special events are added regularly.

I hope these tour recommendations were helpful to you! If you enjoyed it, check out a video preview of more of my California content on my  Instagram Highlights  and give me a follow. If you ever have a question you can DM me or drop it in the comments below.

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California , Travel · Last Updated: August 14, 2023

Visiting Hearst Castle: + Choosing The Best Hearst Castle Tour

Everything to know before choosing the best hearst castle tour.

Nestled in the hills of San Simeon California lies the opulent Hearst Castle overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This California icon has a rich Hollywood history and is well preserved from its completion back in the 1940s. It was built by media magnate William Randolph Hearst and his architect Julia Morgan. In fact, Julia was the first female architect in America and was commissioned to build this stunning mansion. Hearst wanted a retreat that was halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

It’s a prime example of the American Gilded Age and Mediterranean Revival architecture. Hearst Castle draws inspiration from various European architectural styles. Including Spanish, Italian, and Mediterranean. The design combines elements from different historical periods and regions. Resulting in a unique and eclectic architectural masterpiece. In this blog, I’m going to outline the best Hearst castle tour for you to take so you’re prepared for your visit.

Hearst Castle History

Hearst Castle is an iconic jewel nestled on California’s central coast. It stands as a testament to the opulent legacy of media tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Born from a vision that blended European elegance with American innovation, the castle’s history is a tale of architectural brilliance and extravagant indulgence.

In 1919, Hearst enlisted the remarkable architect Julia Morgan to shape his dream into reality. Over the following decades, the hilltop estate evolved into a masterpiece of design. The castle’s history is intertwined with a legacy of grandeur and the mingling of artistic marvels. Hearst’s insatiable appetite for art and antiquities led to the accumulation of an unparalleled collection. Spanning ancient sculptures, Renaissance tapestries, and Old Master paintings.

As the roaring 1920s unfolded, Hearst Castle transformed into a vibrant social hub, welcoming Hollywood stars, politicians, and luminaries to revel in its splendor. Lavish parties and sophisticated gatherings became the norm, with guests staying in charming guest houses that dotted the estate’s landscape. The Great Depression cast a shadow over the grandeur, causing construction to wane and altering the course of the project.

Nevertheless, the castle’s magnificence endured, eventually finding a new purpose as a California State Park and National Historic Landmark. Today, visitors journey through time as they explore the castle’s ornate interiors, lush gardens, and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

Things to Know Before Visiting Hearst Castle

• You will need to book tickets in advance to visit and they cost $30-$100 depending on which tour you take
• When arriving you must park at the visitor center and take a 15-20 minute bus ride up the hill to the castle
• You are in a group of over 20 people when touring and you must stick to your group
• They do allow video and photography however they didn’t set aside time for this and you had to rush to get photos while they were doing the tour
• The best Hearst castle tour for first-time visitors is the grand rooms tour

What is The Best Hearst Castle Tour to Take?

Grand rooms tour + upstairs suite tour ($30 each).

If you’re visiting for the first time I would recommend starting with the grand rooms tour. This guided tour provides an immersive experience through some of the most splendid spaces within the castle complex, revealing the architectural marvels and the extensive art collection that define Hearst Castle’s legacy. The tour takes 70 minutes and you can see highlights such as the gardens, Neptune pool, casa grande, dining hall, movie theatre, and the Roman pool.

You are able to book tours back to back and if you want more of this stunning property consider booking the grand room tour as well as the upstairs suite tour. These two tours go hand and hand. They both last for 70 minutes and the upstairs suite tour includes Doge’s Suite, Library, The Gothic Suite, Duplex Bedrooms, Celestial Suite, Gardens, Neptune Pool, and Roman Pool.

Finally, it’s best to purchase tickets on the California Parks site.

Art of San Simeon Tour + Hearst of Hollywood Tour ($100 each)

Both of these tours are offered seasonally starting on October 1st. Since more than 90% of the objects in Hearst Castle were purchased specifically for the estate. On the two-hour semi-private art tour, your guide will focus on Hearst and how he acquired his paintings, tapestries, sculptures, antiquities, and other fascinating works of art. The group is limited to eight people making it a bit more quaint. You will visit some rooms that are featured in the four standard daytime tours and continue to rooms in the Castle that have never before been included.

The Hearst of Hollywood tour is for all of my Hollywood lovers! San Simeon was the destination of choice for Hollywood’s elite. William Randolph Hearst and his companion, actress Marion Davies, extended coveted invitations to the time-honored greats of the movie industry. Such as Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, Greta Garbo, Irving Thalberg, Bette Davis, Clark Gable, and many others. On this semi-private tour, you will enjoy two hours at the Castle with a knowledgeable guide who focuses on Hearst and all things Hollywood.

Can you swim in the Neptune Pool?

The short answer is yes. But you need to pay a pretty penny. First, you need to be a member of the prestigious Foundation of Hearst Castle which costs $500 annually. Then you need to fork over $1000 to partake in the night swimming events which take place during the summer months. It’s definitely a bucket-list experience, however, with that comes a price!

So as you can see there are multiple options to choose from. I hope you gained some insight into which tour is the best Hearst castle tour for you. Thank you for reading and don’t forget to check out more of my California guides .

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25 of The Best Things to Do in La Jolla

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Graceland steward Jack Soden and soul man Wilson Pickett among 9 named to Memphis Music Hall of Fame

Twelve years ago, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame inducted its inaugural class of 25 luminaries at a rousing ceremony, honoring legends spanning generations and genres, from Elvis Presley to Three 6 Mafia

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Music Hall of Fame inducted its inaugural class of 25 luminaries at a rousing ceremony 12 years ago, honoring legends spanning generations and genres, from Elvis Presley to ZZ Top to Three 6 Mafia.

In later years, dozens of other musicians who recorded, taught and performed in Memphis secured their place in the Hall of Fame in this cradle of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll — Justin Timberlake, Tina Turner, Carla Thomas, to name a few.

This year, it will be inducting its 100th member of the Memphis music landscape with a class of nine, including soul singer Wilson Pickett, rapper, producer and songwriter Jazze Pha, and Jack Soden, who teamed up with Elvis’ former wife Priscilla Presley to open Graceland as a tourist attraction in 1982. That was five years after the singer and actor died in Memphis at the age of 42.

Today, Graceland, Elvis’ former home-turned-museum, is an American tourist mainstay, annually drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to this city by the Mississippi River.

In the hall’s announcement of its 2024 class, it noted that Soden in 1981 was hired “to plan and execute the opening of Graceland to the public, despite recommendations that it be sold to avoid bankruptcy.”

Graceland has evolved from a museum on the 13-acre property where the house sits to a sprawling entertainment complex that features a soundstage, exhibition space, restaurants and a 450-room hotel.

All under Soden’s “watchful eye,” the Hall of Fame said in a news release.

“Under Soden’s leadership, Graceland has kept Memphis’ music profile strong with an annual economic impact of $200 million,” the news release said.

By the early 1980s, Graceland had become a burden on Presley’s estate, which faced high estate and inheritance taxes. Accountants and bankers wanted to sell the home, but Priscilla Presley thought that opening the house to tourists could solve the financial problems while keeping Elvis’ legacy alive. She received a $500,000 investment and, with Soden, visited other tourist attractions — Hearst Castle, Will Rogers’ home, even Walt Disney World — for inspiration.

Graceland opened for tours on June 7, 1982. They sold out all 3,024 tickets on the first day.

“We had no idea whether 30 people were coming, or 300, or 3,000 that first day, Fortunately, it was the latter,” Soden told The Associated Press in a 2012 story about Graceland's 30th anniversary .

Since it opened, Graceland has helped keep the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in the consciousness of fans, along with new releases of compilations of his music, constant pop culture references and films such as “Elvis” in 2022 and “Priscilla” a year later.

Soden thanked the Hall of Fame in a statement provided to The Associated Press.

“It is an honor to be selected to join such a distinguished group of talented singers, musicians, and pioneers who created Memphis’ rich legacy of music,” Soden said. “Music is the soul of Memphis and draws millions of visitors from about the world each year who want to immerse themselves in the story — from Graceland to Beale Street and everything in between.”

Soden joins Pickett, who recorded “In the Midnight Hour” at Stax Records in Memphis. Stax is known for producing some of soul music’s most lasting and seminal hits, including Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man,” Eddie Floyd’s “Knock on Wood,” and “Green Onions” by Booker T. and the MGs.

“Wilson Pickett’s career exploded when Atlantic Records sent him to Memphis,” said Jeff Kollath, Executive Director of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. “Working with Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd, and others, Pickett found his voice and became a Southern soul standard-bearer.”

Along with Jazzy Phe, the other 2024 inductees are soul singer James Carr (”Dark End of the Street”); pop group The Gentrys (”Keep on Dancing”); opera singer Kallen Esperian; Southern soul keyboardist and songwriter Spooner Oldham; singer-songwriters Rhodes, Chalmers, Rhodes; and Kevin Kane, longtime head of Memphis’ tourism bureau.

They will be honored at a ceremony on Sept. 27 in Memphis.