Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

WiFi

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

Cable TV

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Hearst San Simeon State Park is a premier destination for travelers looking to immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of the Central California coast. While the park itself offers a more natural, state-managed camping experience, it serves as an excellent home base for those traveling in recreational vehicles. The grounds emphasize the <strong>pristine coastal environment</strong>, providing visitors with a quiet atmosphere that highlights the dramatic cliffs and rolling hills characteristic of the region.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Situated directly along the iconic Highway 1, the park is strategically located to offer easy access to some of the most breathtaking views in the United States. Guests are positioned near the <strong>Pacific Ocean shoreline</strong>, where the salt air and rhythmic crashing of waves define the daily experience. The surrounding area remains relatively undeveloped, ensuring that the focus stays on the natural landscape, vast marine sanctuaries, and the historic charm of the local San Simeon village.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>This park is designed for those who appreciate a balance of convenience and natural exploration. Visitors will find <strong>well-maintained campsites</strong> that accommodate various vehicle sizes, though it is always wise to check specific site dimensions before arrival. While the park offers a more rustic experience compared to private luxury resorts, it provides essential facilities such as fire rings and picnic tables to ensure a comfortable stay while camping under the sprawling California sky.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>The crown jewel of the area is undoubtedly the historic <strong>Hearst Castle</strong>, which sits high on the hill overlooking the coastline. Beyond the mansion, visitors often spend time at the Elephant Seal Rookery located just a few miles north, where wildlife viewing is a highlight. Whether you enjoy coastal hiking trails, tide pooling at low tide, or exploring the quirky shops in nearby Cambria, the park provides proximity to world-class scenery and cultural landmarks.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>Hearst San Simeon State Park is an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful, nature-centric getaway. It is particularly well-suited for travelers who prioritize <strong>scenic beauty and wildlife encounters</strong> over the high-end amenities found at commercial RV resorts. If you appreciate a quiet night with a view of the stars and a location that places you steps away from the Pacific coastline, this state park is an excellent fit for your next California road trip.</p>



Hearst San Simeon is a historic estate located in San Simeon, California. It was built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst between 1919 and 1947. The estate is now owned by the California State Parks system and is open to the public for tours. The estate includes a main house, guest houses, gardens, and a zoo. It is also home to the world-famous Hearst Castle, a National Historic Landmark. The estate is located on the Central Coast of California, about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Hearst San Simeon

Plan your trip to Hearst San Simeon State Park in San Simeon, CA. Enjoy scenic coastal camping near Hearst Castle and stunning Pacific Ocean views.

Hearst San Simeon State Park, San Simeon, CA RV Camping

Love the place! It's astonishing! I've been there 3 times already! Every single time I enjoyed the tour guides, the people working there are kind and helpful! Learned a lot from them! Went to watch the movie after the tour and there was a gentleman working there that while we were waiting he talked about the rugs and pictures which was awesome information. Buy ticket in advance, if this is your first time, go for the big rooms tour, then change to other ones. The building itself and the land is incredible! If you're lucky you'll see some cool animals while they drive you up to the castle by bus. Would recommend it for sure.

Absolutely beautiful and unique place to visit in California. The experience starts with a shuttle ride up the hill, which already gives you amazing views of the surrounding landscape and ocean. The estate itself is massive, rich in history, and filled with impressive architecture, artwork, gardens, and beautifully designed rooms.

The guided tours are very informative, and the staff share interesting stories about Hearst Castle and its history. Since each tour focuses on certain sections of the property, you may need to come back again if you want to see everything. There is so much to explore that one visit honestly does not feel enough.

The famous pools are stunning in person, and the entire property feels grand yet peaceful at the same time. Comfortable shoes are a good idea because there is quite a bit of walking. Definitely one of those places that leaves a lasting impression and is worth experiencing at least once.

A Museum of opulence.  9 different types of tours.

Atmosphere is hard to describe.  Loved the outdoor sections, gardens, welcoming rooms, and my favorite is the outdoor pool patio with stunning Roman vibe.

The Pantheon 🏛️ of gods is on full display here as Rupert probably didn’t want to offend any.

Beautiful that has to be seen to appreciate.

Visiting Hearst Castle was easily one of the highlights of our trip. From the moment you arrive, the entire experience feels unique—starting with the scenic drive up the hill and opening up to breathtaking views of the coastline and surrounding landscape. The property itself is absolutely stunning, with incredible architecture, beautifully maintained gardens, and so many intricate details that make every corner worth admiring.

What really made the experience stand out for us was our tour guide. They were knowledgeable, engaging, and did a great job bringing the history of the estate to life. Learning about William Randolph Hearst, his vision, and the stories behind the rooms and artwork made everything feel so much more meaningful. It didn’t feel like just walking through a historic site—it felt like stepping into a different era.

The rooms themselves are fascinating, especially seeing how luxurious and thoughtfully designed everything was, from the grand indoor spaces to the famous pools. It’s amazing how much there is to take in, and honestly, one tour didn’t feel like enough. Each area has its own story, and you can tell there’s still so much more to explore.

We left already talking about coming back to try different tours because the place is just that captivating. If you enjoy history, architecture, or simply want to see something truly unique, this is absolutely worth the visit.

It is amazing how a wealthy person can accumulating all those things from around the world for us to see and appreciate now.

You have to took a 5 mile bus ride to and from the castle up on the hill for each tour. And do make sure you only bring up water and nothing else on your tour!

The guide we had was amazing, he knows the castle like the back of his head and so much detail and funny comments that makes you truly appreciate this state park!

“Easily one of the most jaw-dropping places I’ve ever visited in my life – and I’ve been to Versailles, the Vatican, and the Taj Mahal.

Hearst Castle isn’t just a mansion; it’s a surreal, perfectly preserved time capsule of 1920s–30s excess, genius, and impeccable taste. Julia Morgan’s architectural mastery combined with Hearst’s almost obsessive collecting of European antiquities creates something that simply has no equal on earth.

Highlights that still give me chills:

•  The Neptune Pool: rebuilt three times because “good enough” wasn’t in Hearst’s vocabulary. The Vermont marble colonnade, 3,400-year-old Egyptian Sekhmet statues guarding the steps, and that endless Pacific view – it looks CGI in real life.

•  Roman Pool: an indoor Byzantine-Roman fantasy entirely covered in millions of Murano glass tiles infused with 24k gold. Swimming here at night must have felt like diving into liquid starlight.

•  The Refectory dining hall with its 16th-century Sienese monastery ceiling and single 28-foot-long table – eating Heinz ketchup straight from the bottle under Renaissance masterpieces is peak Hearst absurdity and charm.

•  Assembly Room and Billiard Room tapestries and choirstalls that belong in museums (because they literally came from museums and cathedrals).

•  The private theater where Hollywood premieres happened before they hit actual cinemas.
The tours are excellently run by California State Parks – knowledgeable, passionate guides who clearly love the place. Book the Grand Rooms Tour + Upstairs Suites (for the Roman Pool) if you can; the Evening Tour in spring/fall with docents in 1930s attire is pure magic.

Yes, it’s expensive and you have to take the bus up the hill, but it is 100% worth it. This isn’t just a historic house – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that makes you understand why people in the 1930s genuinely thought William Randolph Hearst was living on a different planet.
Easily the most spectacular single attraction in California. Don’t miss it.”

It gets 5 stars just for the magnitude of it and what it takes to keep this place tour worthy! It's absolutely massive, everything about it from the sprawling buildings to the huge decor. Columns everywhere, giant statues, church pews, fire places, pools, everything is over the top! We did the Grand Rooms tour, the one suggested for first time visitors and it was wonderful. Our tour guide was amazing, funny and very engaging. We knew very little about William Randolph Hearst before we arrived and we left knowing more than we should!! I highly recommend visiting if you get the chance, it's definitely a bucket list item and we'll probably go back some day for another tour!

First time visiting and it was wonderful! Everyone was wonderful, our guide Camille was a delight! Very knowledgeable and entertaining! Such a beautiful place to go to get away from the fog. The history, architecture, design, and ambiance was breathtaking! The sights and views were incredible! The bus ride was educational, and it was nice to listen to Alex Tribek narrate the drive to and from the castle. Everything was great, except the gentleman at the gift shop, he was pretty rude. The food was ok, way too much seasoning and very dry. But I can't wait to go back and try the other tours!

What an amazing site to see. This castle was so strikingly gorgeous. As you turn into the property the first thing you see is the zebras wandering the property. At the welcome center you purchase the type of tour you want to see. A tour bus drives you up to the property. The castle is jaw dropping. The whole property is filled with amazing art. Learning its rich history was amazing. So worth the trip to see it. I highly recommend!

One of the best places I've ever visited. Did two hour Julia Morgan tour during the day and two hour art under moonlight tour at night. Both tour guides were patient, highly knowledgeable and excellent hosts, soliciting questions from tour members and gave expansive answers to all questions, some of which were way off topic. The place itself is historic, artistic and design overload, way too much to take in during the course of your visit. Don't have a fear of missing out--trust the process, the guides and enjoy what you are seeing and experiencing in the moment. My visit sparked a desire to learn more, which I plan to research so when I revisit will have a more solid foundation about the historic art in the collection. The rules in place are there for a reason and have succeeded in ensuring the place is maintained immaculately. Visitors center is spacious and educational, definitely recommend the movie before you head to castle. I dreaded the bus ride but it was way better than it sounds, bus driver acted like tour guide, pointing out artifacts and wildlife. The zebras were a nice surprise! The evening tour was a fantastic contrast to the daytime tour, allowing a perspective of what it was like to be an overnight guest.  The change from sunlight to manmade light shifted focus on artwork and design aspects, allowing a more complete appreciation.

We loved our visit to Hearst Castle.  It exceeded my expectations. Friendly staff, well organized, beautiful grounds, fun and informative tour, we did the Great Rooms tour. We didn't book our tour ahead of time and it was fairly busy when we arrived, fortunately we had a short wait for the next tour to begin. Highly recommend.

Hearst castle is such a great experience overall, wear comfortable shoes, be prepared to do some walking around the large estate. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and eager to answer questions. My husband and I have done 3 of their tours so far and each tour just unlocks more incredible history about the Hearst Estate, we love coming here!

So much to see. Many different tours you can take. Tour guide was great. Shuttle nice out to the castle. Place is awesome and very well cared for. Buy tickets and reserve your time as it's busy. Some tours can have a lot of stairs.

Reviews

Hearst San Simeon