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

San Simeon

4.5
Castles · Gift & Specialty Shops · 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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    Popular things to do in San Simeon

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

    Side trips from San Simeon

    Moonstone Beach ©
    Beach
    Moonstone Beach
    Cambria
    4.7
    Duration: 2 hours
    Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park ©
    Beach
    Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
    Big Sur
    4.6
    Duration: 2 hours
    Moonstone Beach Dr ©
    Scenic Drive
    Moonstone Beach Dr
    Cambria
    4.8
    Duration: 2 hours
    Fiscalini Ranch Preserve ©
    Hiking Trail
    Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
    Cambria
    4.9
    Duration: 2 hours

    Hidden gems in San Simeon

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

    Wineries in San Simeon

    Hearst Ranch Winery ©
    Winery / Vineyard
    Hearst Ranch Winery
    4.2
    Duration: 30 minutes

    Shopping in San Simeon

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

    Nature in San Simeon

    Jade Cove ©
    Geologic Formation
    Jade Cove
    4.2
    Duration: 2 hours

    Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

    Places to visit with San Simeon

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