Highway 1 south of San Francisco is crazy beautiful, and actually a little easier to drive than it is further north. Which doesn’t mean it is an easy drive—in fact, one day we stopped in Big Sur after nearly three hours on the road with only a couple overlook stops when Ali told me she was ready to find a spot for the night. She was tired of watching the kids and sloshing around in the back of the bus. I had to break the bad news to her that we had only driven 48 miles.
Just north of Hearst Castle are a few bays sheltering hundreds, if not thousands, of elephant seals.
They aren’t the liveliest bunch.
Hearst Castle. We’d driven by it many times in the past, never drawn to visit. But with kids the idea of visiting a castle was suddenly very appealing. And it turned out to be a really fun day. It started out with a forty minute IMAX movie that the kids happily sat right through, transfixed. Then there was a bus ride up the mountain, followed by forty-five minutes with a chirpy guide showing us around three rooms, before finally being let loose on the property. I felt like we got our money’s worth out of this one.
This busker was amazing. She didn’t move the whole time we stood there and watched.
And of course, the obligatory Roman Indoor Pool shot. Hugh Hefner has nothing on William Randolph Hearst.
10 Comments on “Hearst Castle”
Wow, I’ve heard of the place, but never have seen that pool. It doesn’t even look real.
My oh my, Ouest is becoming quite the little photographer isn’t she. I Think that Nat Geo might offer her a job soon if they see her pics on here! 😉
Worth visiting once. Just like Disneyland. You’re then qualified to comment.
I did think it was weird that the guides kept asking, “Who is here for the first time?” I couldn’t really imagine going back anytime soon. Maybe with the grandkids someday, I suppose.
I have always wanted to see the Hearst Castle but have never found myself in that neck of the woods. I hear it is amazing. The story of the rags to riches and then to rags again would make for a good read.
I grew up in Europe and saw plenty of massive palaces. Ya see one big house, ya seen them all 🙂 However, they are a rarity in the USA.
If you ever have a chance to do the Biltmore Estate, it is really worth the effort. This is coming from a person who toured estates in Europe. The best thing about the Biltmore house it is still furnished with the original furnishings – a rarity.
Mark and Cindy
I wonder if the caretakers have pool parties in there. That would make for a good movie!
Hey Guys,
I just wanted to say that you guys are my heroes and I hope to be able to do some of the great traveling that you have accomplished! I have been following you since you were in the Bus and I am even working on my own for a trip around the US as well. I have a 1963 walk-through panel that’s in the works.
The hardest thing that I have come up against is cutting everything loose like you guys did to get everything going, and I have been minimizing my living expenses. I cut the house loose, but have a hard time with getting rid of my cars. Those VW’s breed like rabbits, you put a couple out back and the next thing you know they are all over the place. I still have fourteen cars around out back!
I have been doing VW restorations out of CO the last five years full-time, but it was only making enough to pay the bills and not giving me enough for savings. I had initially figured on selling off the cars for a lump sum to make the trip, but things took a little longer then I figured and the incoming bills took all the funds. I even went back to work with the power generation field here recently to make things happen a bit faster and build up an initial monetary amount to be able to make the trip.
The plan right now it to work a job full-time for a couple years, contract some auto restorations, get rid of those that are parts cars, and build some extra funds from the sales. Without the house I am able to save a lot more and there isn’t much for bills while I am living on the road with the new job. The job I work is 100% travel and all expenses are paid for the most part, but I am always busy enough that I don’t get to see much in my travels. That and there is only so much to see in west TX.
You always do great work to making your mode of transport into an awesome home and I think that you really have some great skills. You guys rock and it’s great to see all the cool places you have traveled. I hope to run into you out there someday. I love your blog and keep the good times rolling Patrick and Ali!
Best wishes on your journey, Christoph
Thanks for the kind comment, Christoph. We appreciate hearing that. Congratulations on being proactive and taking the steps necessary to make your dream a reality. You’ll be there before you know it. Best of luck on your upcoming adventures!
i usually just quietly follow, but . . . that picture of your son looking at the highway behind you. OMG!!!
I thought that was pretty awesome too. Props to Ali on that one.