Remember Hearst Castle? It's Finally Open Again — New Tour, Ticket Changes, Restored Road

ACROSS CA — The legend of Hearst Castle has been growing as the famous building has sat inaccessible and closed to the public for two years due to the pandemic and weather damage to its access road. But, finally, the California Department of Parks and Recreation has announced that the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, known to normal people as Heart Castle, will reopen to the public on May 11 with a few added changes for the better.

The famous hilltop is called La Cuesta Encantada —The Enchanted Hill — and includes the 115-room "La Casa Grande" main house, guesthouses, pools and the estate's gardens that stretch over eight acres. The estate is the work of the long-term partnership of William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan, beginning in 1919, on the hilltop high above the ocean at San Simeon, according to the news release, and now sees up to 850,000 visitors per year ordinarily. The main house now houses "Hearst's extraordinary art collection and has hosted many influential guests, including President Calvin Coolidge, Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw, Charlie Chaplin, and a diverse array of luminaries from show business and publishing industries," according to the news release.

"They say that the Hearst Castle is a jewel in San Luis Obispo County’s already dazzling crown, and I couldn’t agree more; and Hearst Castle is not only a fascinating place to visit, it serves as a backbone to the North County’s economy,” said State Senator John Laird, as quoted in a news release from the California Department of Parks and Recreation. “So, I couldn’t be happier about its re-opening, with a safer and more rewarding experience for residents and tourists alike. I want to thank State Parks for their diligent work in getting the Castle re-opened. The spirits of William Randolph Hearst and castle architect Julia Morgan are surely joyous today."

In celebration of the reopening and the delayed 100th anniversary of the estate's construction, the castle will now offer a new tour: The Julie Morgan Tour. This is not the average cursory glance at an architect's work, however. Oh, no. Morgan's tour will really teach visitors about the woman who designed the castle, according to the news release, by featuring "rarely seen areas of Hearst Castle that highlight her gift for design, and photographic displays of architectural drawings, family photos, and personal items."

The dreaded access road that prevented safe passage to the enchanted castle has also been improved. The upper portion of Hearst Castle Road has been reconstructed and re-engineered and old road materials were improved and strengthened to withstand modern storm systems. Sounds complicated, but the road should be all set now.

The final pleasant improvement that the California Department of Parks and Recreation announced relates to the key to entering the castle: the ticket, of course. Those will now have all fees in one total price to streamline the reservation process, which will also reduce the cost by $3 to $6 per ticket, according to the news release.

The Department of Parks and Recreation recommends reservations. Reserve Here or by calling 800-444-4445.

• Hearst Castle
• 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452
• More Information Here and Here, including Reservation Assistance For The Hearing Impaired At TDD: 800-274-7275 And Accessibly Designed Tours At 805-927-2115.