Gothic Bedroom | Hearst Castle
This beautiful Gothic bedroom was once home to Marion Davies. Marion was an actress who’s first feature film was Runaway Romany, in 1917. After a highly successful career as an actress, Marion retired from film in 1937, choosing to devote herself to Hearst and charitable work. She was named...
Gothic Sitting Room | Hearst Castle
Here we are in the Gothic sitting room. From this vantage point you have access to a number of locations, including the Gothic Study, the Gothic balcony, and the Gothic Suite bedrooms. This room is beautifully decorated with 15th century Spanish Art, including this striking portrait of Jesus, displayed...
Gothic Study | Hearst Castle
At the very end of the study, you’ll find this secluded room. It features a spectacular view of the estate behind beautiful Gothic windows. and if you look directly behind you, you’ll also find a magnificent fireplace that was used to warm up cold nights at the castle. More...
Gothic Study | Hearst Castle
Good evening, and welcome to the centerpiece of the magnificent Gothic Study. Directly ahead, you’ll see a striking painted portrait, of William. This painting was created by his lifelong friend, Orrin Peck, in 1894. As you can see, the Gothic Study also features some of William’s most exquisite statuary,...
Gothic Study | Hearst Castle
The incredible Gothic Study was the epicenter of William’s business affairs. His use of this room was quite ingenious. In order to expedite the editing process, he would place his numerous newspapers on the floor, in a grid pattern. Once they were laid out, he would quickly navigate to...
Casa Del Monte Sitting Room | Hearst Castle
Welcome to the Del Monte sitting room. Inside this extravagant room you’ll be hard pressed not to notice the exceptional ceiling. This stunning ceiling is hand painted, and covered in 22 carat gold leaf. It even has the inscription “San Simeon” written on it, and if that wasn’t enough,...
Casa Del Monte Bedroom | Hearst Castle
During the early stages of construction, William made it known that he wanted Julia to decorate this house in a 16th century Renaissance style, with lots of “garlands, and putti”. These decadent design choices give Casa Del Monte its unique charm. More Destinations on THE GRID
Casa Del Monte Bedroom | Hearst Castle
This front bedroom has a magnificent view of the surrounding gardens and paths. The writing desk found in this room was used by writers who William Hearst employed. Those fortunate enough to be invited to the Hill, could sit here in this desk, and let their ink flow, like...
Casa Del Monte Bedroom | Hearst Castle
Among the beautiful features of this room is the spectacular ceiling, a private fireplace, and a unique view of the grounds. Also found within this beautiful bedroom, is a delightful wood carved bed, which was originally created for the Balbi family, of Genoa Italy. It is dated to be...
Casa Del Monte Bedroom | Hearst Castle
It is not uncommon to experience a misty morning here at the castle, this is due to the altitude of the building and its proximity to the ocean. On this particular morning, you can see the enchanting mist, just outside the windows of this guest house. I can’t help...
Casa Del Monte Lobby | Hearst Castle
Just inside this splendid lobby, you’re greeted by a beautiful statuary holding up an offering to you. This room was once used as the place to make and receive phone calls. Surrounding the upper walls near the ceiling, you will see a spectacular painting that wraps all the way...
Casa Del Monte at Night | Hearst Castle
Greetings. This cottage was given a name that’s Spanish in origin, and when translated it means “House of the Mountains”. It earned this name because it has a spectacular view, of the surrounding Santa Lucia Mountains. This home was the first location on the enchanted hill to be completed,...
The Morning Room | Hearst Castle
Greetings and welcome to the beautiful Morning Room. This space was used by guests as a sitting room for morning activities, and once again later on, in the evening. The Morning room gets its light from the adjoining vestibule, located directly behind you. As the sun rises, it shines...
Refectory | Hearst Castle
In a monastery the term “Refectory,” is used to describe a dining room. An interesting feature of this magnificent room, is the beautiful Gothic choir stalls covering the lower portion of the walls. This incredible woodwork, originated as fourteenth century stalls, from Spain. More Destinations on THE GRID
Refectory | Hearst Castle
This room is called the Refectory, this is where virtually all meals were served for breakfast lunch and dinner. If you look towards the ceiling, you’ll see 17 symbolic banners hanging from the walls. These banners represent the different districts of Siena, in Italy. In Italian, they are known...
Refectory | Hearst Castle
Please take a moment and look up at the ceiling inside the Refectory. From this vantage point, we see 15 large rectangular coffers, each containing an individual carving of a saint, including: St. George on his horse, the Virgin Mary on the moon, and St. Lucy with her eyes...
Library Lobby | Hearst Castle
This is the lobby area of the library. At the very center of this walkway, two ceramic figures can be found. These ceramic busts are from Florentine Italy, created during the 16th century. Purchased by William in December 1935, from the Goldschmidt Galleries, in London. More Destinations on THE...
Library | Hearst Castle
A number of fantastic titles can be found filling the walnut shelves of this library. Here you can find titles from the great William Shakespear, to the adventuresome Mark Twain. Or perhaps Jane Austen or Charles Dickens is your cup of tea. In any account, I can’t think of...
Library | Hearst Castle
William had always considered the library, to be one of the most important rooms of the castle. In addition to his collection of books, this room contains enchanting ceremonial drinking cups, Greek vases, and other wonderful artifacts from the ancient past. More Destinations on THE GRID
Library | Hearst Castle
Measuring in at approximately 2500 sq. ft., this impressive library contains over 4000 books. Directly in front of you is a magnificent second century, Roman, bust. This Roman figure is positioned near the entrance to the North Alcove. Looking around this library, I can’t help but find myself suddenly...
Library | Hearst Castle
This part of the library is known as the north alcove. Here, guests could read a book or novel, in spectacular fashion. On display next to the books, you will see ancient Etruscan and Greek pottery. Many of these relics, are now located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art,...
South Deck | Hearst Castle
Welcome to the south deck. This bedroom is located on the second floor near the cloisters. This room has a unique charm and marvelous details. Placed in front of you on the luggage, are examples of evening attire, that a guest might wear. and you know it is a...
Duplex South | Hearst Castle
Inside this Duplex there is a beautiful ceiling depiction of “Luna and Endymion”. This is a 17th century painting by Simon Vouet, located in Paris France. This gorgeous painting was created with oil on canvas. In Greek mythology, Endymion seeks out to find his love Luna, and it is...
Duplex South | Hearst Castle
Originally planned as an open area, this room was supposed to function as a light well for the rooms below. William changed his mind however, and requested that this be turned into actual living-space. Julia Morgan approached this architectural challenge by creating a loft style apartment. This re-imagined living...
Duplex North | Hearst Castle
This is the main floor of the North Duplex. Directly ahead, is a beautiful three tiered candelabra. Once used to light the way up this dark staircase to the loft upstairs. Originally this space was intended to be completely open, functioning as a light well for the rooms below....
Duplex North | Hearst Castle
Right now you’re standing on the second floor of The North Duplex. This elevated loft area has a very high opening, overlooking the room’s living area. Created from what was intended to be a light well for the rooms below. This unique bedroom is positioned just above the sitting...
Kitchen | Hearst Castle
Next to the Morning room and the refectory, is the kitchen. Here the Hearst kitchen Staff would prepare meals for breakfast lunch and dinner, to be served inside the Refectory. Interestingly, when TC Montague first visited Hearst castle, he was given a work space inside this very room. More...
Theater | Hearst Castle
Welcome to the magnificent Hearst theater. This beautiful theater would host a nightly showing to everyone staying or working at the castle. Guests, employees, grounds, even construction, and the household, all enjoyed watching movies in this very theater. The nightly movie was of course optional, but true fans of...
Doge Sitting Room | Hearst Castle
The Doge sitting room features a spectacular ceiling painting known as a trompe l’oeil. This art piece is dated to be early 17th century, created from wood, gesso, and tempera, from the Netherlands. The title of this painting is the “Annunciation to the Shepherds”, and it depicts the symbolic...
Doge Suite North | Hearst Castle
The Doge Suite North was among the first bedrooms to be completed during the construction of the main building. The Doge’s consist of a North and South bedroom, as well as a sitting room. To have the pleasure of spending a night in the Doge’s, made you a very...
Doge’s Suite South | Hearst Castle
Welcome to the delightful group of rooms known as the Doges. The Doge suite was reserved exclusively for very special guests staying at the castle, and according to the actress Colleen Moore, “When you slept in the Doge’s, you knew you had ‘arrived.’” This bedroom was among the first...
Julia Morgan’s Shack | Hearst Castle
This humble workspace is affectionately named Julia Morgan’s “Shack”. Here within her workspace you’ll find a featured sketch of the castle, laid out on the top of her work desk. When collaborating, William would sit in a plush soft chair, while Julia Morgan would sit up on her wooden...
Assembly Room | Hearst Castle
Welcome to the magnificent Assembly room. This room stands on its own in terms of size, and grandeur. Measuring in at 2600 sq. ft., this room was more than enough space for a lively evening of dancing, and card games. A grand room to mingle over a cocktail, or...
Assembly Room | Hearst Castle
Hanging on the walls of the Assembly room are a number of 17th century Flemish tapestries. One such tapestry by Jacob Jordaens, tells a tale of the thunderous God Neptune. Here Neptune can be seen creating a horse, by striking his powerful trident against the shore, while Neptune’s wife...
Assembly Room | Hearst Castle
On the back wall of the Assembly room, is a 16th century fireplace made of stone. This spectacular French mantel is 15ft high, and 7ft wide, making it a striking fixture within this grand space. The mantel was purchased by William Hearst, from art dealers French and Company. Prior...
Assembly Room | Hearst Castle
The wonderful ambiance that this room creates helped guests to relax and unwind. This grand space was created with the sole purpose of entertaining. Here guests would mingle, dance to music, and play card games. This made the Assembly room a very important social hub of the Castle. More...
Cloister Bedroom | Hearst Castle
Within this Cloister, you’ll see a beautiful painting titled “The Assumption of the Virgin”, by Ludovico Xuarez, in Mexico, sixteen eighty. The Cloisters represent a row of guest rooms, located above the Refectory. Each is designed and decorated to embrace Spanish, Italian, Gothic, and Renaissance themes. More Destinations on...
Cloister Bedroom | Hearst Castle
This lovely bedroom is commonly known, as the “Della Robbia, Room”. Located inside this beautiful Cloister, is a 17th century Spanish painting, titled “Immaculate Conception”, the artist is unfortunately unknown. The painting depicts the heavenly Virgin Mary, accompanied by her lovely mother, Anne. Hats off to the artist, whoever...
Cloister Bedroom | Hearst Castle
Located just outside the window, you’ll find an open walkway that connects these rooms together. This walkway allows for natural light to shine into this lovely space. Each of these charming guest bedrooms are designed around a variety of themes, including: Spanish, Italian, Gothic, and Renaissance. More Destinations on...
Casa Del Sol | Hearst Castle
I’d like to introduce you to the cottage known as the house of the sun. Although it is referred to as a cottage, this home is nearly 3,600 sq. ft., complete with 8 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, and it was used as a house for guests. More Destinations on...
Neptune Terrace | Hearst Castle
This is the elegant terrace overlooking the Neptune pool. On this picturesque morning we have a nearly perfectly symmetrical view of the Neptune pool and grounds. Located around this terrace, is a series of swan shaped lamps that add an elegant touch, to this spectacular location. More Destinations on...
Neptune Pool | Hearst Castle
The Neptune Pool has undergone 3 distinct revisions since its construction began in 1924. Each revision brought it closer to the final pool you see here. The final version of this pool was completed in 1936, when the iconic temple facade was incorporated as part of the pool’s architecture....
Neptune Pool | Hearst Castle
Hold on to your hat, here are a few Neptune Pool facts. This incredible pool holds 345,000 gallons of water, with a length of 104 feet. The width of the main basin extends to 58 feet with an additional 38, found in the alcove. The floor of the basin...
Neptune Pool | Hearst Castle
Welcome to a magical sunset at the Neptune pool. Right now we are situated next to an alcove, and just below the pool’s staircase. This section of the pool features the lovely Venus sculptural group. Up the stairs is a series of changing rooms for guests, who might be...
Neptune Pool | Hearst Castle
For those that need a reminder, Neptune is the ancient Roman God of the sea, brother to Jupiter and Pluto . Jupiter’s story tells us that upon overthrowing his father Saturn, Neptune was appointed to watch over the sea, due to his turbulent, personality. Today the Neptune statue can...
Roman Pool | Hearst Castle
Here we are levitating just underneath the diving board at the center of the Roman pool. An extraordinary view, if I do say so myself. Inspired by ancient Roman baths, it was built using thousands of mosaic Murano tiles. The tile is made from glass and twenty-two-carat gold. This...
Roman Pool | Hearst Castle
Welcome to the enchanting Roman Pool. This space is decorated with eight statues of Roman gods goddesses and heroes. Inspired by ancient Roman bathhouses, with specific inspiration drawn from the Bath of Caracalla in Rome, c. 211-217 CE. You’ll also find that the mosaic tiles here are influenced by...
Celestial Bedroom | Hearst Castle
Greetings. This is the Celestial Bedroom. This room is the highest room in the castle, and it has an incredible 360 degree view of the surrounding grounds and gardens. Decorated in gold this room features a number of heavenly accents, and it embraces the ethereal, like no other bedroom...
Bell Tower | Hearst Castle
This morning the castle appears to have a lovely mist about. If you look towards the towers, you’ll find an abundance of incredible Spanish architecture, inspired by the Cathedral at Ronda, located in Ronda Spain. From this vantage point you can see our next stop, the celestial bedroom, located...
Bell Tower | Hearst Castle
My goodness, what an incredible view, we have here. If you take a moment and look towards the towers, you’ll notice the bells through the top opening. Amazingly, Eighteen bells fit into each of these towers. William imported these bells from Belgium in 1927, and they were later installed...
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