COMMENT 202755P
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2011-08-11 08:17 AM |
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If you go, do it during elephant seal mating season. There is a great spot right near the castle where hundreds of these behemoths hang out. By the way...just noticed Edhat added the prescreen-post-and-edit-feature...awesome. But I'm on Firefox and the
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SBJULES
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2011-08-11 08:22 AM |
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I haven't been there in a number of years. It's a fascinating place. Thanks for the reminder.
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COMMENT 202757P
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2011-08-11 08:23 AM |
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Hearst Castle is definitely worth a day trip. Cambria is a really nice place to stay for the night if you want to make a night out of it. Robin's is one of my favorite restaurants there.
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EDONE
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2011-08-11 08:29 AM |
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755 ... joke, right?
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COMMENT 202755P
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2011-08-11 08:39 AM |
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Not a joke, Ed. Tried to hit the
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COMMENT 202755P
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2011-08-11 08:42 AM |
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Ed, Every time I try to post the word
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COMMENT 202778P
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2011-08-11 09:03 AM |
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Hearst Castle is an amazing place, especially during their Christmas tour season.
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EDONE
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2011-08-11 09:16 AM |
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We were having a problem with quotation marks. Hopefully, the quotes won't be cut off anymore and get buried in the Castle of Arrrggghhh.
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COMMENT 202792
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2011-08-11 09:22 AM |
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I hope the have Twilight on the Terrace next year, they replaced it with another event this year which I did not find as magical.
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BOOKLADY
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2011-08-11 10:19 AM |
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We go to Hearst Castle every few years. The view alone is worth the admission. Earlier this year, we took a tour of the Piedras Blancas Light Station. It was well worth a visit. The original Fresnel lens was replaced after damage to the tower in an earthquake years ago and now sits in downtown Cambria. We also enjoy the Elephant Seal Rookery. This site gives you an idea of what you will find there at any given time of year.
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COMMENT 202884
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2011-08-11 11:31 AM |
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Hearst Castle is a great place to get decorating hints. And the bus driver was a hoot. As we were winding up the hill to the top, he said (quote) If these sharp turns bother you, just close your eyes... that's what I do.
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COMMENT 202904
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2011-08-11 12:07 PM |
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Ooooooh i second the tip re: staying in cambria and eating at robins...their lobster enchiladas are drool worthy indeed!!!
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COMMENT 202942
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2011-08-11 01:06 PM |
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The Sow's Ear in Cambria is another very nice restaurant.
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COMMENT 202972
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2011-08-11 01:36 PM |
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Beautiful chunk of California up there.
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SEEDLADY
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2011-08-12 08:47 AM |
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I took one of the very first open grounds tours, and found it extremely disappointing. None of the landscaping was labeled, it was very ordinary, you couldn't wander past the paved steps and patios, none of little pathways were accessible; all were roped off. I found it very boring. A mist had settled in and there was no where to shelter from it, we were all very cold and damp despite our jackets, scarves and hats. No where to sit, so had to stand for two hours waiting for the bus. No docents to answer questions, although the security guards did their best. Perhaps it has been improved.
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COMMENT 203255
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2011-08-12 11:08 AM |
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My daughter and I swam in the Neptune Pool many years ago, thanks to a friend who was a docent. Back then (late 60's) staff and their guests were allowed to use it.
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COMMENT 203293P
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2011-08-12 12:38 PM |
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Seedlady...Your experience sounds awful!
We had quite the opposite experience. It was a warm sunny day, and we had access to all kinds of paths and perches (only limited by a wedding that was being set up on the terrace with the canons on it). The picture with the gold statue was taken from one of the cottage terraces. No, the plants were not labeled, that's true. We spoke to several docents who, although they were lamenting the recent budget cuts and the loss of many of their co-workers, were friendly, available, and engaging. Without exception they recommended returning for the Christmas lights.
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COMMENT 203414P
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2011-08-12 05:07 PM |
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I went for the Christmas lights. A number of large trees in the dining area--all trimmed exactly the same. Very boring compared to daylight tours. Won't do it again.
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SPARKEY
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2011-08-13 03:09 PM |
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Ok, now I'm convinced. I have to go. Thanks for the report.
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COMMENT 211518
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2011-09-06 10:29 AM |
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Great write up! I'm glad to see that your trip to Cambria included a stop at my favorite restaurant of all time, Robin's. I will often make a day trip just to enjoy a bowl of Robin's famous velvety salmon bisque. No trip to Hearst Castle is complete without a trip to Cambria's best restaurant.
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