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Trip Planner :  USA  /  California  /  San Luis Obispo County  /  San Simeon

San Simeon

4.5
Castles · Wildlife Areas · Beaches
When you arrive in tiny San Simeon, which lies halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, you can see why William Randolph Hearst chose this coastal locale for his famous hilltop castle. Mountains and cliffs plunge down to deserted sand beaches lapped by vigorous surf near this town of about 400 people. Here, thousands of elephant seals populate nearby coves, and vineyards soak up the plentiful sunshine inland. Pristine beaches, abundant marine wildlife, nearby wineries, and state parks give visitors plenty of things to do in San Simeon beyond visiting the mansion. Plan your tour of San Simeon and United States travel itinerary using our United States day trip planning tool.
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Top San Simeon tours

FROM $79 BOOK WITH VIATOR 3-Hour Electric Bike Tour Along 17 Mile Drive of Coastal Monterey
5.0
Duration: 150 to 210 minutes
Tours from $79 »
FROM $958 BOOK WITH VIATOR 3-Day California Coast Tour: San Francisco to Los Angeles
4.6
Duration: 3 days
Tours from $958 »
FROM $169 BOOK WITH VIATOR Santa Barbara, Solvang and Hearst Castle Day Trip from Los Angeles
4.5
Duration: 11 to 13 hours
Tours from $169 »

Popular things to do in San Simeon

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Wildlife Area
Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
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Castle
Hearst Castle
4.4
Duration: 2h 30 min
Beach
Piedras Blancas
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
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Lighthouse
Piedras Blancas Light Station
4.6
Duration: 1h 30 min

Side trips from San Simeon

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Beach
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Big Sur
4.5
Duration: 2 hours
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Beach
Pfeiffer State Beach Big Sur
4.6
Duration: 1 hour
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National Park
Pinnacles National Park Paicines
4.5
Duration: 8 hours
Lookout
Ragged Point Big Sur
4.3
Duration: 2 hours

Hidden gems in San Simeon

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Beach
William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach
4.7
Duration: 2 hours
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Lookout
Ragged Point Overlook
5.0
Duration: 30 minutes
State Park
San Simeon State Park
3.7
Duration: 2 hours
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Specialty Museum
Coastal Discovery Center at San Simeon Bay (Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary)
4.6
Duration: 2 hours

Wineries in San Simeon

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Winery / Vineyard
Hearst Ranch Winery
4.2
Duration: 30 minutes

Shopping in San Simeon

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Gift & Specialty Shop
Sebastian General Store
4.3
Duration: 2 hours

Nature in San Simeon

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Geologic Formation
Jade Cove
4.2
Duration: 2 hours

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Where to stay in San Simeon

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Deciding where to stay in San Simeon doesn't require a great deal of consideration. All motels, hotels, inns, and lodges are located along Route 1 in the community south of the castle along the coast. If these are full, head just south of San Simeon State Park, where a larger selection of bed and breakfasts line the coast on the northern edge of the town of Cambria.
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Places to visit with San Simeon

San Francisco Trip planner BEST FOR: Island, Bridge, Pier / Boardwalk Los Angeles Trip planner BEST FOR: Theme Park, Specialty Museum, Historic Walking Area San Diego Trip planner BEST FOR: Specialty Museum, Zoo, Beach Yosemite National Park Trip planner BEST FOR: World heritage site, Geologic Formation, Hiking Trail Anaheim Trip planner BEST FOR: Disney Park / Activity, Ride / Activity, Room Escape Game

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Recently planned trips to San Simeon

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