Hearst Castle

From LoveToKnow Interior Design

The famous and stunningly beautiful Hearst Castle is part of the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument and is also known as La Cuesta Encantada, The Enchanted Hill, and America's Castle. This majestic estate is located on the central coast of California in the hills at San Simeon, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The History of Hearst Castle

George Hearst, a wealthy miner, bought 40,000 acres in 1865, which included the Mexican Ranchos of Piedras Blancas, Santa Rosa, and San Simeon. George’s son, William Randolph Hearst, inherited the land 1919 which had then grown to 250,000 acres.

The sprawling ranch was a place for family and friends to camp, hence the original name Camp Hill. Hearst dreamed of replacing the sophisticated camping and dining tents with a more inviting getaway. He commissioned San Francisco architect Julia Morgan to construct this dream home. By 1947, Hearst and Morgan had completed a 165-room estate with over 100 acres of gardens, pools, terraces, and pathways.

A Mediterranean Revival style is reflected in the main house and three guest houses. The towers of the main house, or Casa Grande, take their design from a Spanish cathedral.

In 1957, Hearst Castle was donated to the State of California as a historic house museum. Guided tours are available year-round with ticket prices ranging from $10 to $30.

The Art and Furniture of Hearst Castle

William Randolph Hearst amassed an impressive collection of European and Mediterranean art which can still be seen in the rooms of Hearst Castle. Spain and Italy are the sources for most of the art and architectural details, which harmonize with the Mediterranean Revival architectural style.

Here is a sampling of some of the art that is on display at Hearst Castle:

Antique Furniture
Antique Ceilings
Antique Textiles
Antique Mantels and Doors
Antique Lamps
Greek Vases From 700 B.C.
Rare Oriental Carpets
Paintings
Sculptures
Bas-reliefs
Tapestries
Mosaics

Casa Grande

The spectacular main house of the Hearst estate is Casa Grande. Rooms that are open to public visitors in Casa Grande include:

The Assembly Room - largest of the four sitting rooms.
The Refectory - the only dining room.
The Morning Room - sitting room overflowing with Spanish antiques and Flemish tapestries.
The Billiards Room - game room with two 1920's pool tables and a circa 1500 Gothic mille fleurs tapestry.
The Theater - largest room in Casa Grande.
The Doge's Suite - suite with a balcony, inspired by the Doge's Palace in Venice.
The Cloisters - four guest rooms bordered by open walkways.
The Library - a collection of over 4,000 books along with rare Greek and Roman antiquities.
The Gothic Suite - the entire third floor is devoted to the remarkable private suite, library and office of William Randolph Hearst.
The Kitchen - large kitchen and pantry area.
North Wing of Casa Grande - three floors of more modern, spacious guest suites.
Bathrooms in the North Wing - showcase the glamour of the 1940’s.