Sparkles and Shoes

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Past Adventures: Hearst Castle

| bucket list, Past Adventures, The Americas


A few summers ago I visited Hearst Castle on a day trip.  It was one I thought my parents were CRAZY to have added to our California itinerary as driving over four hours North from Los Angeles to a house no one lives in did not see to compare to a beach day at the Santa Monica Pier.  Mom, I am sorry. You were right. I was wrong.  Hearst Castle was completely worth the drive. When you are approaching this magnificent piece of land you can see what Hearst formally named “La Cuesta Encantada” or “The Enchanted Hill” from the road.

William Randolph Hearst’s famous estate, now a state historical monument, features an astonishing 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms spanning 127 glorious acres. The sheer size and ever changing demands of the newspaper magnate explain why it took architect Julia Morgan almost 30 years (1919- 1947) to complete the estate.  The acres of gardens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a movie theater, an airfield, and the world’s largest private zoo (at the time) are some of the most interesting and unique attributes I have ever seen.

Yes, it took FOREVER to get there but even though it is far from everything it attracts about one million visitors per year and after seeing the estate I completely understand why. It is a step back in time to a place that is hard to believe existed in America and yet one in which it makes perfect sense that Invitations to Hearst Castle were highly coveted during its prime in the 1920’s and ’30s. Take a look at a few photos I managed to capture during my visit: 

I highly suggest everyone add Hearst Castle to their bucket list
 and make sure to visit at least once, it is gorgeous!

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  3. gorgeous pics! i’ve been wanting to go to hearst castle for so long. i live in california yet i haven’t found time to visit this amazing place. definitely on my bucket list!

    -terry
    terrydunakim.blogspot.com
    Love Me to Pieces

  7. Oh my goodness!!! I would love to visit it!
    xoxo

    novelstyle.blogspot.com
    Don’t forget to check my anniversary giveaway!

  15. Totally agree Kelly! My husband and I did the drive from LA to San Fran last week for our 1 year anniversary and Hearst Castle was one of our favorite parts! Did you happen to stop by Cambria? It’s a small beach town like 10 minutes from Hearst and that was our favorite part!!

    xo Jackie

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