So there it is, Hearst Castle, thirty years in the never-finished making, 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, tennis courts, movie theater, zoo with zebras and other wild creatures, glorious swimming pool, his own Roman temple transported in pieces from Europe.
        Just a half hour drive from one of our motels in Morro Bay. We have lots of bathrooms too. Also, the Masterpiece has a glorious spa like a swimming pool. With murals. San Marcos Inn has a bigger spa than the Masterpiece. With an ocean view.
        All the movie stars came to Hearst Castle, from Charlie Chaplin and Clark Gable, to the Marx Brothers, not to mention President Franklin Roosevelt (in the middle of the Great Depression) and Winston Churchill (in the middle of World War II). Well, Hearst owned thirty newspapers and politicians can use publicity. Also Marion Davies. Girlfriend. Orson Welles played the part of Hearst in what many believe is the greatest movie of all time, “Citizen Kane”
        Originally built on 40,000 acres, to become 240,000 acres, Hearst Castle is also known as San Simeon, or “The Enchanted Hill”; Hearst also fought with Oakland architect Julia Morgan over what was to be a getaway bungalow and turned out to be a castle in Spain.
        Lots of people though Hearst was an ego-maniac and maybe he was. But, in his way, he was a great man.
        So was Julia Morgan. Lady.
        Right now the main entrance is next to San Simeon State Park, and we can help you get reservations to tour Hearst Castle at any one of our front desks.