Hi Calif. Central Coast folks. Thinking of you with the Big Sur fires these days and hope you are well.
I've got a specific question regarding visiting Hearst Castle.
My DH and 8 & 11 yr olds will be leaving Pismo Beach by around 10 am on a Friday morning (the earliest I can get the family packed and off he beach).
I was thinking of having an early lunch. Ideally we could pull over for a 30 min picnic lunch with a great view of the ocean before our appointment at Mr. Hearst's place. Then enjoy one tour. Then get a post tour snack in Cambria or at the Sebastioni Store, before we head to monterey.
Since I'd like to make reservations now for those Hearst Castle tickets, I'm trying to figure out what time slot to go for. How long do you think it really would take to drive from Pismo Beach to Hearst Castle on a Friday morning in mid August? And how much time do we likely need between getting to the parking lot and signing in for our reserved tour? (Does it take forever to park?).
We are really looking forward to spending time in another part of our state. Thanks for your ideas.

It should take you about an hour from Pismo to San Simeon. I can't answer the parking question, as I haven't stopped in there in many years.

After Hearst Castle, as you're going north on Highway 1 to Monterey, stop at Piedras Blancas beach to watch the elephant seals. It's about 6-7 miles north of San Simeon. You'll see the cars parked in the lot and the observation deck overlooking the beach.

Here's a link to the rookery's website:

http://www.elephantseal.org/

You will probably not want to go north on Hwy 1 after the castle. Hwy 1 is closed near Big Sur and there is no place to cross over to Hwy 101 north of the castle.

You will have to back track a little to Hwy 41 and go over to Hwy 101 and then north.

They are saying the fires could burn for weeks. It is not so much that the fire is down near the road as the fire fighters need the road for travel and prep.

Please don't try to drive north on Hwy 1 from Hearst at this time. I believe the road is closed, but even if not, the firefighters need to use it.

Suz24's trip is planned for mid-August.

I sure as heck hope the fires are out by mid-August. If not, we are in deep trouble.

Thanks guys.
We love elephant seals!. That's a great idea for a pull out. Thanks.

Yeah, we are hoping that the fires are out by mid August, too, but more for those central coast folks than for our trip. As you may know, it isn't contained much at all yet. What I could find this morning said 5%. Other sites say only 3%.

For our trip, of course we would not dream of getting in the way of the fire fighters. We can always drive the inland loop around Big Sur if the road is closed. We are staying in Pacific Grove the night after Pismo Beach, We can even skip the Hearst Castle visit and do it on another coast drive.

If the road is open, I plan to find out which businesses are open and give them some business. I'm sure they'll need it after these fires.

Thanks.

I'm sure all will be fine, Suz24, but you have the right attitude.

The businesses in the Big Sur area will definitely need customers.