Christmas at the Castle

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During the Holiday Season, Hearst Castle presents an opportunity for visitors to travel back in time and experience the Castle as it might have been on Christmas in the 1920s or 1930s. The Grand Rooms Tour and the Evening Tour are excellent tours to see many of the decorated rooms.

Every December the staff at Hearst Castle works hard to decorate the estate for the holidays, creating a special atmosphere that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

Hearst Castle does not have a specific themed tour for Christmas. The main house and guest houses will be decorated for the holidays making for an impressive site.

Christmas at the Castle Assembly RoomChristmas at the Castle is an event that is not to be missed and is fun for the entire family!

During the holidays the Evening Tour program includes Living History Docents dressed in 1930s period clothing along with the holiday decorations in many of the rooms throughout the historic California Mansion. Two 18-foot Christmas trees fill the Assembly Room as Living History Docents dressed in 1930s period clothing socialize before dinner. Weekend Evening Tours are difficult to reserve, but there are also many Evening Tours available during the week in December.

Christmas at the Castle Dining Room Photos taken in 1933 of the Dining Room (Refectory) and Assembly Room show the Castle decorated for the Holiday Season.

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Date(s)

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Daily at 8:15 am

Cost/Tickets/Registration

Reservations are always strongly recommended. Tour reservations can generally be made up to 7 to 8 weeks in advance. All entrance to the historic hilltop estate is by paid tour admission.

All daytime tours also include a ticket for our exclusive 40-minute film Hearst Castle – Building the Dream, shown on a five-story screen at the Visitor Center’s Hearst Castle Theater. This fascinating glimpse behind the scenes is shown all day at forty-five minute intervals. The first screening begins at 8:15 am.

All tours view the Castle’s two spectacular swimming pools – the outdoor Neptune Pool and the indoor Roman Pool.

Accessibly Designed tours are available.

Upon arrival on the hilltop, visitors will be met by a guide who will escort them to the guided portion of the tour and then meet them afterwards to offer visitors the option to take the self-guided portion of the tour through the gardens on their own. Staff will assist with transporting visitors back to the bus departure area following the tour.

Location

750 Hearst Castle Road
San Simeon, CA 93452-9741

Directions/Transportation/Parking

Getting to Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle, one of California’s top vacation attractions, is located on the majestic Central Coast of California. Nestled in the hills at San Simeon, the Castle sits halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and is approximately a five hour drive from either of these metropolitan areas. Be sure to check local road conditions before you travel.
Mileage

Hearst Castle is located on California Highway 1, about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Approximately 230 miles.
From Los Angeles

Take U.S. Highway 101 north to San Luis Obispo, then travel California Highway 1 north about 39 miles. (approximately 4.5 hours).
From San Francisco

Take U.S. 101 south to California Highway 46, then travel west on 46 to California Highway 1 and north about 13 miles (250 miles total, approximately 5 hours)
From Monterey

Take California Highway 1 South (about 93 miles) to Hearst Castle. Please allow extra travel time for Highway 1 which is windy and narrow. Or take Highway 68 East to Highway 101 South then Highway 46 West to California Highway 1 North to the Castle, about 130 miles total.

Presented by

California State Parks Department

For more information

http://www.hearstcastle.org/