What To Do

The stunning natural beauty of San Simeon Cove; the enchantment of a hilltop castle - what a beautiful way to start the day! 

Arroyo Laguna Beach is a windsurfing and kiteboarding spot along the northern San Luis Obispo Coast.

Hearst Castle holds a trove of artwork, artifacts, and antiquities making San Simeon a must for art lovers everywhere. From ancient Roman marble to Tiffany & Co. silver, Hearst’s holdings are among the most impressive in California. Beyond Hearst Castle, San Simeon and neighboring communities value the arts…

Travel the route that hugs the California coast, providing access to austere, windswept cypress trees, fog-shrouded cliffs and the crashing surf of the Pacific Ocean. Views include rugged canyons, towering redwoods, sea lions, and other marine life.

The Ragged Point Inn and Resort is located at the northernmost corner of San Luis Obispo County, 18 miles north of Hearst Castle on Highway 1, at the base of the Big Sur National Scenic Byway.

Set sail in San Simeon to explore an entirely different side of the town.

The Boucher Trail runs from the paved elephant seal viewing parking for 1.9 miles, to a half mile north of the Piedras Blancas Light Station.

Connecting the Pacific Ocean with the land, the California Coastal National Monument provides unique coastal habitat for marine-dependent wildlife and vegetation

The California Sea Otter is one of the many wildlife species that has made their home in San Simeon and can be seen year-round. These mammals live in kelp forests and estuary habitats part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Despite their relatively small size, being the second smallest…

Explore San Simeon through the California State park systems that works toward preserving the nature and wildlife here on the Central Coast.

Home to two campgrounds — San Simeon Creek Campground and Washburn Primitive Campground. The 541-acre San Simeon State Park boasts a diverse terrain that ranges from serene coastal settings to stately pine forest surroundings.

Located on beautiful San Simeon Bay, the Coastal Discovery Center celebrates the connection between land and seas.

Explore the Coastal Discovery Trail Along Highway 1   The new Coastal Discovery Trail is a curated collection of activities that highlights nature, history and local experts. Make the most of your travels to the Central Coast by using the resources and links below to find the…

Whether you like to race, mountain bike or just cruise and admire the scenery, you’ll find a bike path to enjoy in San Simeon.

Elephant Seals, Up Close and Very Personal

Fishing in San Simeon is about more than what you catch. It’s about standing above the water, soaking in pristine ocean views and reveling in a fishing experience that is uniquely San Simeon and unlike anything else in the world.

Visitors and locals are helping to preserve our coastal heritage by supporting the Friends of Hearst Castle 

The Hearst Castle Evening Tour allows you to view  this historic California mansion in the twilight hours