San Simeon
Bar & Grill All Ocean View Dining-Room
& Cocktail Lounge
San Simeon Restaurant. It was the first business
opened when Hearst Castle was opened to the public in 1958, It
remains to this day a famous dining spot, with the best ocean view
in San Simeon. It is enjoyed by tourists from all over the world as
well as the colorful local people.
9520 Castillo Drive
San Simeon, CA 93452
(805) 927-4604
San Simeon California It
isn't accurate to say that San Simeon would not exist if it were not for
William Randolph Hearst. It is close however. Perhaps the most famous
piece of Hearst real estate is La Cuesta Encantada™, better known as
Hearst Castle™. After the death of William Randolph Hearst in 1951, it
was deeded to the State of California and is now a leading tourist
attraction. Mr. Hearst's fortune came from the publishing industry and
with it he embarked upon a mission to create a US castle that would
rival those found in Europe. Hearst Castle™, officially known by the
State of California
as the "Hearst State
Historical Monument at San Simeon" was the scene of many extravagant
gatherings that included many of the rich and famous from world &
national government, politics and show business. Hundreds of legendary
figures joined Mr. Hearst on La Cuesta Encantada™ (The Enchanted Hill).
Most of the castle's and grounds and architecture was designed by San
Francisco architect Julia Morgan.
Hearst Castle offers a variety of
tours to meet the needs of coastal visitors. Advance reservations are
recommended.
National Geographic Theater
National Geographic Theater at the Hearst Castle Visitor Center is a 5-Story
screen theater showing the resident film “Hearst Castle, Building the Dream” as
the companion film to Castle Tours.
Visit National Geographic Theater Website
Lodging
Lodging dominates this strip town.
Ragged Point Inn [Website]
Motel Accommodations:
805.927.4502
Restaurant Dining & Weddings: 805.927.5708
19019 Highway One
Ragged Point, CA 93452-9751
The
beautification and development of this special place
named Ragged Point has been a labor of love for the
Ramey family who have attempted to create a place that
provides the same magic to their guests as they've
enjoyed over the last three decades.
El Rey Garden Inn
Castillo Drive • San Simeon
Local:805-927-3998
San Simeon Lodge
9520 Castillo Drive
San Simeon, CA 93452
(805) 927-4601
Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
(805) 927-4688 | (800) 826-8168
9415 Hearst Drive
San Simeon, CA 93452
California SeaCoast Lodge
(805) 927-3878
9135 Hearst Drive, San Simeon, CA 93452
Silver Surf Motel
(805) 927-4661
9390 Castillo Drive
San Simeon, CA 93452
Inns
of California - San Simeon
(805) 927-8659
9280 Castillo Drive
San Simeon, CA 93452
Motel
6
(805) 927-8691
9070 Castillo Drive
San Simeon, CA 93452
Camping
The California State Park's is represented
by their locations in and around San Simeon.
From W.R.
Memorial State Beach and San
Simeon State Park to the Elephant
Seals and Hearst Castle itself, some of the finest parks and campgrounds in California are
located within a short distance from the feature attraction.
California State Parks Website
San Simeon State Park Campground,
San Simeon
(805) 927-2035
Reservations (800)
444-7275
Camping • Day Use
details and online reservations from ReserveAmerica
Morro Bay State Park
(805) 772-2560
Camping • Day Use
details and online reservations from ReserveAmerica
Hearst Memorial State Beach
(800) 444-4445
Day Use • Beach Access, BBQ Pits, Fishing. Store available with tackle, bait, and
refreshments. Public restroom.
Morro Strand State Beach (805) 772-2560
Camping • Day Use • Public Restroom
details and online reservations from ReserveAmerica
Montaña de Oro State Beach
(805) 528-0513
Camping • Day Use • Hiking Trails • Surf Fishing
details and online reservations from ReserveAmerica
Pismo State Beach
North Beach Campground
(805) 489-2684 • Camping • Day Use
Oceano Campground
805-489-2684
Camping • Day Use • Walk to town • Trails
details and online reservations from ReserveAmerica
Big Sur Camping
Julia Pfeiffer Burns
Hike in environmental campsites, like Molera. But
nicer. And, cost more. Price here is $16 to $18 per
day. We cannot explain the distinction in prices of
the two sites. There are two sites, each accommodates
up to 8 people. No water. No toilets. You have to
hike back to the park entrance for those. The hike
from the park's vehicle parking area is about 1/3
mile. But, the campsites can be reached from the road
by foot (there's a closed gate at the trail to the
camp sites), and that cuts the hike in half. The
sites have a cupboard, table, typical camp charcoal
stand, and a fire pit. Plaskett Creek Campground 36
miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park 45 sites.
Tables. Fire pits. Bathrooms. Fee $10 per night
National Forest Service
Limekiln Creek (Private)
In a canyon, along a bustling creek, in a Redwood Grove.
660 acres, and adjoins Los Padres. Many good trails. Beach. 66 sites. Operated by California State Parks. $12 a night.
Showers. Laundry. 831 667 2403
Kirk Creek
Near the junction of Nacimiento Road Hwy 1
38 miles south of Pfieffer Big Sur State Park
Out on a bluff over the ocean.
33 good sites. Grills & tables First come basis.
Bathrooms. Spectacular setting.
Fee: $16 per night. 831.385.5435
Forest Service Campgrounds
In the mountains from Kirk Creek, and accessed by Nacimiento Fergusson Road. Each is basic. Tables. Fire pits. Outhouses. $5 per night.
1.) Redwood Springs Road is by the Coast Ridge Road, north to Cone Peak.
2.) Nacimiento and Ponderosa campgrounds are farther east along Nacimiento Road.
U.S. Forest Service Adventure Pass does not cover this fee.
Plaskett Creek
Open campground, in a pine meadow, east side of Hwy One, close to Sand Dollar beach.
44 sites. $15 per night. $5 per person for Hike & Bike Camp.
Reservations: 831.995.1976
Palo Colorado Canyon Road
At the top of a rough road - 7.7 miles. Primitive camp sites. No drinking water. First come basis. Good views of Pico Blanco and Ventana Double Cone mountains Fees vary. $5 - $15 per night. Access to Ventana Wilderness trails. Forest Service - independent camp host
Info: 831.385.5435
Andrew Molera State Park
25 miles south of Carmel crossroads. Hike in to 20 rustic 'environmental' sites. Secluded. No RVs. By the Big Sur River. Good hikes to mouth of the river. Excellent bird watching. Driftwood beach. Awesome hikes to the south on ocean bluffs. Hikes up mountain canyons in Santa Lucias. Horseback riding along Big Sur River and on the beach. Nearly 5,000 acres.
State Park. Fee: $5 per night. 800.950.7275
Big Sur Campground (Private)
Near Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park,
along Big Sur River
Tent sites, RV hookups, tent cabins and cabins
Rates are for 2 adults: $26 a night,
$24 off season (Sun thru Thurs., Sept thru May)
$3 more with power, $3 each dog and extra adult
Children under 4 free
Family oriented. Excellent setting on the river.
Tent cabins, $48, $40 off season
AAA approved. 831.667.2322
Riverside Campground (Private)
Tent sites, RV hookups, cabins
A little cheaper than Big Sur Campground, but much less nice.
And disparaging of people who use the Internet. 831.667.2414
Ripplewood Resort (Private)
831.667.2242
Fernwood Resort (Private)
60 sites. Redwood forest. Along Big Sur River.
$24 per night (2 adults). $27 with power. $4 extra adult.
Store and restaurant.
831.667.2422
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground
25 miles south of Carmel crossroads.
No RVs. 218 camp sites, along the river in the redwoods. 810 acres. Showers. Store. Restaurant, gift shop and grocery store at lodge. Sites are well spaced apart. River swimming. Good hiking trails. Waterfalls. Fee: $16 a night.
800.444.7275
Shopping
San Simeon has many fine restaurants, gift shops, and miles of raw unspoiled beaches. National Geographic
Society recognizes this part of California as the "Middle Kingdom." Legendary
Highway 1 bisects San Simeon and is designated as a National Scenic Byway. The
very best of the popular Big Sur Coast drive starts in San Simeon.
Recreation
Elephant
seals are becoming more numerous with their protected status. It has been
estimated that over three thousands pups have been born this year (8% increase
over last year). Visit
http://www.elephantseal.org/ for more info.
Recreational resources include famous Pico Creek board surfing, kite surfing and wind surfing
location of international acclaim. The ocean fishing is superb. Chumash arrow
heads and other artifacts have been discovered by casual beach goers.
Bird Watching
For bird watching aficionados, San Simeon offers a large variety of bird
species. The coastline gives birders sightings of brown pelicans, (rarely white
pelicans), terns, sandpipers, gulls, snowy plovers, cormorants and an
occasional raven. If one ventures inland one can expect sightings of crows,
golden eagle, hawks, great horned owls and turkey vultures. San Simeon has an
abundance of great blue herons as well as egrets. Red tailed hawks, kestrels,
bluebirds, and quail can be found at the Washburn Campground.
Piedras Blancas Light House
Light Station Open to Limited Public Tours
Information line: (888) 804 - 8608
Piedras Blancas is located on California's central coast, just north of San
Simeon. The point is named for the three white rocks located just off the end of
the point. In the early 1870's. This remote location was chosen to fill the gap between
the lighthouses at Point Conception and Point Pinos. Piedras Blancas Light House Website
Average Temperatures
San Simeon
»
Winter - sunny days, clear nights, high 61, low 40
»
Spring - Breezy days, cool nights, high
63, low 48
»
Summer - foggy mornings and nights,
high 67, low 54
It
isn't accurate to say that San Simeon would not exist if it were not for
William Randolph Hearst. It is close however. Perhaps the most famous
piece of Hearst real estate is La Cuesta Encantada™, better known as
Hearst Castle™. After the death of William Randolph Hearst in 1951, it
was deeded to the State of California and is now a leading tourist
attraction. Mr. Hearst's fortune came from the publishing industry and
with it he embarked upon a mission to create a US castle that would
rival those found in Europe. Hearst Castle™, officially known by the
State of 
California
as the "Hearst State
Historical Monument at San Simeon" was the scene of many extravagant
gatherings that included many of the rich and famous from world &
national government, politics and show business. Hundreds of legendary
figures joined Mr. Hearst on La Cuesta Encantada™ (The Enchanted Hill).
Most of the castle's and grounds and architecture was designed by San
Francisco architect Julia Morgan.
The
beautification and development of this special place
named Ragged Point has been a labor of love for the
Ramey family who have attempted to create a place that
provides the same magic to their guests as they've
enjoyed over the last three decades.
