Route 66 Road Tripping California To The Midwest First Stop Hearst Castle

Route 66 Road Tripping

First Stop Hearst Castle

First stop on the Route 66 Road Trip from San Francisco to Kansas City is Hearst Castle. What a magnificent site to see. It’s one of the most spectacular private residences I’ve ever visited in the United States. Part of what makes it so special is that William Hearst was just as interested in his gardens and landscaping as he was the interior. As a result, some may enjoy the exterior more than the interior.

A few interesting takeaways from the tour included the advanced technology (for its time) the castle was equipped with. This included telephone lines and radio throughout the castle. There was advanced use of water collection to provide water for the entire castle and ranch, also ahead it’s time. This was all part of the fabulous Architect Julia Morgan’s work and William Hearst’s advanced vision for his Estate.

I also loved the pools. There were two pools, an indoor and an outdoor. The outdoor pool had stunning mountain and ocean views. The inside pool was like nothing I’d ever experienced. Stunning Greek Statues lined the edges with gorgeous mosaic tiles. I could see myself spending all day relaxing within this beauty.

Since I am blogging while on the road, my posts will be shorter than usual. However, I’m including some fun facts and history below courtesy of Heart Castle.org. Hearst Castle’s history begins in 1865, when George Hearst purchased 40,000 acres of ranch land. In 1919,William Randolph Hearst inherited what had grown to more than 250,000 acres, and was dreaming of ways to transform it into a retreat he called La Cuesta Encantada—Spanish for “Enchanted Hill.” By 1947, Hearst and architect Julia Morgan had created Hearst Castle: 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways—all built to house Hearst’s specifications and to showcase his legendary art collection. San Simeon, California.

GUEST HOUSES

There are a total of 46 rooms in the Guest Houses including lobbies.

CASA GRANDE

There are several additional rooms in Casa Grande including the Refectory, the Billiard Room, the Theater, Library, Gothic Study, Beauty Salon, Butler’s Pantry, Kitchen, Staff Dining Room for a total of 115 rooms in Casa Grande.