San Simeon

Travel Guide
Photo provided by WineCoastCountry.com
As the half-way stop between LA and San Francisco, this Big Sur beach destination is the perfect place to take a break and recharge.

San Simeon, along California’s rugged Big Sur coastal stretch, is a beach destination with a difference. While you can certainly swim or surf in its sheltered cove or fish from its pier, most people drop by to see its preserved “castle” and meet its fascinating elephant seals.

San Simeon, in San Luis Obispo County, sits between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Both cities are about 230 miles (370 kilometers) away along Highway One.

Once part of a hugeranchorun by Mexican owners, the land was bought by the rich miner George Hearst in 1865. He soon expanded his ranch and built a wharf with a warehouse on the coast.

Visit the family’s impressive estate, Hearst Castle, on former “Camp Hill.” When his home was finished, Hearst renamed it “the Enchanted Hill” and with its mansions and views it isn’t hard to see why. Take a tour of the century-old complex and admire the Roman and Neptune pools in the gardens. Don’t miss the impressive Gothic Study in the Casa Grande, the main mansion.

Afterwards, throw a line in from the 850-foot (260-meter) San Simeon Pier or take a dip in the Pacific Ocean. The waters of Simeon Cove lend themselves to kayaking and surfing. Body boards can be rented locally, too. The day-use area of the William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach has picnic tables and barbecues, so bring your own supplies for a seaside lunch. Afterwards, stretch your legs by roaming the beach or by following the nearby trail up to the pine trees for lofty ocean views.

Just to the north of the park is the also free-to-access Piedras Blancas Rookery where there are northern elephant seals. Watch these odd-looking creatures doze, scratch, play and swim. While in the area, also tour the 19th-century Piedras Blancas Light Station.

Hotels line the highway on either side in San Simeon. In Cambria, just to the south, you can find many more accommodations as well as restaurants, shops and family attractions. This area may not have five-star hotels and services, but it’s a charming, laid-back region to visit, with some of the best beaches of the Big Sur.

Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
3.5 out of 5
9415 Hearst Drive, San Simeon, CA
The price is P7,894 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
P7,894
P8,896 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 11 - Nov 12
Book a stay at this beach hotel in San Simeon. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,483 reviews)
"Property was well kept and service was great!"

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024

Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
The Morgan Hotel San Simeon
The Morgan Hotel San Simeon
3.5 out of 5
9135 Hearst Drive, San Simeon, CA
The price is P5,204 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
P5,204
P5,865 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 3 - Nov 4
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in San Simeon. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,144 reviews)
"Lovable hotel"

Reviewed on Oct 30, 2024

The Morgan Hotel San Simeon
Silver Surf Motel
Silver Surf Motel
2 out of 5
9390 Castillo Dr, San Simeon, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P2,811 per night from 13 Nov to 14 Nov
P2,811
P3,817 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 13 - Nov 14
Book a stay at this business-friendly motel in San Simeon. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,011 reviews)
"Loved!"

Reviewed on Oct 30, 2024

Silver Surf Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Lofts at The Market
The Lofts at The Market
4 out of 5
1803 Spring St, Paso Robles, CA
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Paso Robles. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Sensorio and Paso Robles Pioneer Museum are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (42 reviews)
"A good modern studio apartment above a variety of great local shops and restaurants. About 15mins walk from downtown. Would go back."

Reviewed on Sep 30, 2024

The Lofts at The Market
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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