kdd

Hi,

Does the Hearst Castle Tour 2 include the itinerary for Tour 1 + more or is Tour 2 just a tour of the private rooms and library, so one has to add Tour 2 on top of Tour 1 to see it all.

Thanks

TrvlMaven

Check the website: www.hearstcastle.com for all the details.

happytrailstoyou

Tour 2 goes to different rooms (bedrooms, etc.) and the indoor pool.

I went on Tour 1 in the earl 1990s and on Tour 2 in 2006.

I don't think it is necessary to take both tours on one visit in order to get a good idea about the place. You may feel differently.

jbass

I find the entire Hearst Castle amazing; I'd love to go through the entire place-every nook. The tour that included the kitchen was particularly interesting. As long as you're there; why not do two?

Kristi

We did two of the tours last year and while there was a little overlap (namely the two pools), the rest visited a unique part of the "castle". I think Tour 1 was the one they recommended for first time visitors and then pick one to add on. We did #3 but I thought #2 looked more interesting. I'd recommend doing more than 1

You actually have to do all the tours 1-3 to see everything indoors and 4 to see all the gardens, clever aren't they?

kdd

Should we make the trip to the castle or is out time better spent in one of the state parks along Highway 1?

Kristi

It really depends on your interests kdd. I happen to really enjoy visiting houses and seeing architecture and the history behind it and the Hearst Castle is probably the most interesting and opulent private home in the US. But if you enjoy nature more, maybe your time would be better spent in a national park.

kdd

This is my problem...I do enjoy both, but the highlight of this trip is the Big Sur coast and the nature..also, I have a 3 yr old with us...not sure show she will take a 2 hr long organized indoor tour!

happytrailstoyou

Part of the two-hour tour includes the drive up and back, which your 3-year-old will enjoy.

The Hearst "Castle" tour is worthwhile, but the coast along Highway 1 is even more so.

J_Correa

I think that the 3 year old would cause me to choose in favor of more outside time rather than Hearst Castle. You can certainly do a tour with a 3 year old, but you will have to hold onto her/him pretty much the whole time and that could prove challenging You can't take strollers up to the castle - no room for them on the shuttle bus.

I would say if you are undecided, I would leave out Hearst Castle. You will just have to come back another time

kdd

I too am leaning towards leaving out Hearst...it takes up whole 2 hours. If we didn't do Hearst this trip we could have a more relaxed time that day enjoying things along the coast like walking along some nice beaches..

happytrailstoyou

Sorry, I'm not the biggest Hearst Castle fan, but I think it would be a BIG mistake to not visit the place. You can plan ahead and book a tour that gives you plenty of time to walk on beaches.

The Hearst Castle is an experience everybody remembers--except, probably, three-year-olds.

Take Tour 1.

kdd

I am sure we will enjoy the trip to the castle...but I don't want to try and do too many things in one trip and be on a tight schedule...we will plan a visit to the castle on another trip.