World-renowned architectural historian, Lord John Julius Norwich, was moved to say that "Hearst Castle is a palace in every sense of the word"
The Piedras Blancas Rookery is the only elephant seal rookery in the world that is easily accessible, free, and open to the public all year long.
San Simeon beaches are among the most spectacular in California. The majority of coastline is uninhabited, unspoiled, and completely beautiful.
Built in 1875, and still in operation today, the Piedras Blancas Light Station warns mariners of the rugged, rocky coastline.Tours are available year-round.
Whether your preferred hike involves a view of the coastline, country or mountains, you will have no problem finding a path that matches your skill level and desired scenery.
Traveling the winding ranch road to Hearst Castle, guests once passed through fenced fields populated with many species of exotic wild animals
Need help planning your San Simeon escape? Have questions about everything there is to see, do and experience here?
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 best beaches, outdoor activities, historic sites, wildlife viewing […]
Learn all about San Simeon activities with this interactive activity map of the town. Plus, learn all about the history of San Simeon with our timeline. Download your map, now.
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 and have become havens for artists and […]
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.
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
Just one of the many wildlife species that has made their home in San Simeon, the California Sea Otter can be seen year-round. The marine mammal calls San Simeon home.
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.
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.
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
Seaside tasting room overlooking the San Simeon Bay and across the street from Hearst Castle.
Piedras Blancas Motel is a vintage roadside motel-and-diner complex located along the Central Coast of California approximately seven miles north of the historic village of San Simeon.
Junge Ranch Trail - Hearst San Simeon State Park is a 2.2 mile out and back trail located near Cambria
Go out and explore the wonders of the Central Coast from the best seat in the house, your kayak!
Welcome to The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary! Also known as the “Serengeti of the Sea,” this impressive nature reserve is one of the top wildlife viewing sites in the world. Home to some of the Pacific Ocean’s most diverse inhabitants, the 276-mile stretch makes up nearly a quarter of California’s coastline. In fact, the […]
Highway 1 is most famous for its coastal views, so you'll definitely want to take the chance to hop out of your car and stroll along the Pacific Valley Bluff Trail.
Halfway between the two main California metropolises of Los Angeles and San Francisco is Paso Robles Wine Country.
You don’t have to worry about leaving your furry friend at home again with a trip to the coastal town of San Simeon.
Longboard, short board or kite surfer...all are welcome at Pico Creek Surf Spot
Go back in time to the lonely and blustery life of the lighthouse keeper with a visit to the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse.
Explore California's underwater parks without getting your feet wet through a new online tour.
Salmon Creek Falls is a natural, beautiful waterfall found on the Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway 1 located 3 miles north of Ragged Point Inn.
The San Carpoforo Creek Beach Access is the northernmost portion of the state-owned properties in Hearst San Simeon State Park.
The San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway provides an extraordinary experience.
Before the advent of the railroad and easily traversed highways, most of the commerce in central California was conducted by ship and piers and wharfs were vitally important.
One of the most ethereally beautiful spots on the planet, San Simeon Point can be seen from Highway One as the extended tip of a crescent that begins along a white sand beach called San Simeon Cove.
San Simeon State Park is one of the oldest units of the California State Park System.
Teachers, students, beachgoers, researchers and others can now view a wealth of information about central California marine life
An insider’s guide to everything you need to know about San Simeon’s main attraction. Read More >