Hearst Castle-lunch?
Jun 10th, 2008, 08:52 AM
#1
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Hearst Castle-lunch?
We will be visiting Hearst Castle and will have a 2 hour lunch gap between our first and second tours.
Are there any lunch places near Hearst Castle where we can go for lunch or a sandwich?
THANKS!
Are there any lunch places near Hearst Castle where we can go for lunch or a sandwich?
THANKS!
Jun 10th, 2008, 10:37 AM
#3
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Yes - pack a lunch. Cambria is the closest place where you can get good food and I think you could make it there and back in your 2 hour window, but I'd still pack a lunch so you don't have to worry about getting back on time.
Jun 10th, 2008, 11:24 AM
#5
I believe there is a little store and coffee shop (that serves food if I remember correctly) down at historic San Simeon, which is right across the road from the Hearst Castle entrance. It's worth a drive over there. The store is a historic landmark and you can peek at some other buildings connected with Hearst that aren't open to the public.
Jun 10th, 2008, 11:35 AM
#6
Here at least is a phone number for the store...called Sebastian's Store. It's been a few years since I was there so might be worth checking that they are open and have food and not just coffee.
Sebastian's Store
805-927-4217
Sebastian's Store
805-927-4217
Jun 10th, 2008, 11:59 AM
#7
You could get to the Ragged Point Inn for lunch and be back in time, I think. It's just a few miles further north on Highway 1. Also, the Best Western in San Simeon has a restaurant which is open to the public and isn't bad. It's just a few minutes away.
Jun 10th, 2008, 01:52 PM
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I'm not sure you will actually have 2 hours to eat lunch. I just copied the following from the FAQ on the Hearst Castle website:
"How much time should we allow between tours?
Booking your tours two hours apart gives you time for a short 10 minute break back at the Visitor Center."
This seems incredible, but I imagine the reason for the "short 10 minute break" is that you have to be bused down to the Visitor Center after the first tour and then bused back up to the Castle for the second tour. So, you probably ought to have something in your car that you can eat quickly.
If, in fact, you have scheduled an extra 2 hours for lunch, you could drive 5 miles south of the Visitor's Center to San Simeon State Park and have a picnic there. That's what we did when we visited the Heasrt Castle, but we weren't constrained by a 2nd tour time.
"How much time should we allow between tours?
Booking your tours two hours apart gives you time for a short 10 minute break back at the Visitor Center."
This seems incredible, but I imagine the reason for the "short 10 minute break" is that you have to be bused down to the Visitor Center after the first tour and then bused back up to the Castle for the second tour. So, you probably ought to have something in your car that you can eat quickly.
If, in fact, you have scheduled an extra 2 hours for lunch, you could drive 5 miles south of the Visitor's Center to San Simeon State Park and have a picnic there. That's what we did when we visited the Heasrt Castle, but we weren't constrained by a 2nd tour time.
Jun 12th, 2008, 09:39 AM
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The Hearst Castle visiting center was renovated last year, so your dining options have improved. In San Simeon there are a couple places to eat. I eat at El Chorlito occasionally. There are plenty of places to eat in Cambria. The Main Street Grill is really good. I eat there at least once a week. You can't miss it just look for the smoke from the outdoor BBQ pit. If you wanted to pack a lunch, also in Cambria is Sandy's deli. It's new so I haven't tried it yet, but I have good things about it. Also Alloco's Italian Bakery opens early. He could make you some sandwitches and has very good pastries.
There is a park across HWY 1 from the castle. It has nice picnic tables with BBQs. Ignore the little guard shack at the entrance. It is vacant as the park is now free. They also have opened a Marine educational center there and the park has a nice pier you can walk out on.
I drove by the Jacoby Store last week. It is not open yet. They are doing improvments for the new tenents, but rumor has it is going to be a hamburger place.
There is a park across HWY 1 from the castle. It has nice picnic tables with BBQs. Ignore the little guard shack at the entrance. It is vacant as the park is now free. They also have opened a Marine educational center there and the park has a nice pier you can walk out on.
I drove by the Jacoby Store last week. It is not open yet. They are doing improvments for the new tenents, but rumor has it is going to be a hamburger place.
Jun 13th, 2008, 08:10 AM
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You have time to go to Cambria, it's very close to San Simoen, check out the Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill, good food and excellent views of the Moonstone Beach from the outdoor patio. We like to sit at "the rail" and take in the scenery. Robin's is another nice choice for lunch but no oceanviews here. ***kim*** 
Aug 19th, 2010, 11:16 AM
#15
BadgerJayHawk: I notice you are topping several old threads about the coast to read later. Do you see the gold/yellow star up at the top ot the thread (just under 'share w/ a friend)?
That is how you can save any thread to your favorites w/o having to top them.
(Or - you can click the envelope symbol and e-mail it to yourself)
That is how you can save any thread to your favorites w/o having to top them.
(Or - you can click the envelope symbol and e-mail it to yourself)
Aug 19th, 2010, 11:56 AM
#16
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The town of San Simeon is a short drive from the Hearst Castle parking lot. There is a Mexican restaurant there and, a few years ago, we had a perfectly acceptable meal at the restaurant associated with the Best Western Cavalier--on the right as you drive into town.
HTTY
HTTY
