The Wonder of Hearst Castle

Sorry it’s been so long since my last post! The last few weeks of school were pretty hectic, and I didn’t have time to write before I left for Iceland. But I’m back home now! Where the sun shines for more than 4 hours a day. Iceland was SO much fun, though, and I can’t wait to share pictures/experiences with ya’ll. As soon as I sort through everything. Don’t let anyone tell you you shouldn’t go to Iceland in the winter. Yeah it’s freezing (compared to California, but honestly, not even as cold as the east coast) and driving is a real struggle, but the sights in the winter are really something else. The whole country is a winter wonderland. And there’s also no better time to see the northern lights.

Anyway. I’ll save the Iceland stories for later. Remember that day trip I took to San Luis Obispo? I realized that I had omitted the most important part of the trip–Hearst Castle! That’s the main reason I went down there to begin with. This was my second time visiting the castle. I was only 7 years old the first time I went, so I didn’t remember much. But this place is so beautiful! I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

This place is an architectural masterpiece, by American architect Julia Morgan. On the shuttle ride up to the castle, it was actually super cloudy. But where the castle is, the skies are surprisingly blue. You can see it in the picture above. What a perfect location. You have to buy a tour to come up to the castle grounds. Tours, I believe, are ~$30 per person. They’re all very well done! Depending on which tour you go on, you’ll see different parts of the interior of the castle. And of course, you’re free to wander around the grounds for as long as you like after the tour.

The famous Neptune Pool, unfortunately, is under construction right now. Not sure when they planned to have it back up and running. The other indoor pool (also super gorgeous) is still accessible, though! Here’s the rest of the estate in a nutshell: 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, and at one point, the world’s largest private zoo. What a place. There are still zebras and some other exotic animals that continue to roam the grounds to this day.

Highly recommend paying a visit to Hearst Castle if you haven’t already–preferably when the Neptune Pool is back up and running. Hopefully in 2017! Speaking of which–I can’t believe 2016 is coming to an end. Thanks for all of your guys’ support this year!! I’ll try to get another post up before 2017 but if not, I’ll see ya’ll in the new year 🙂

XOXO,