For those of you that have been to both the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. and Hearst Castle, do you think Hearst Castle is a must see with only 5 days to explore the central coast of California? I have been to Biltmore and wondered if I would be as impressed with Hearst Castle??? If it is a must see, we'll go. I should add, we are planning a night or two in Cambria, anyway.

Have been to both -- both are impressive in their excess but for rather different reasons.

Biltmore, despite its size and formality, was created as a mountain-area second home for a very wealthy family with appropriate tastes for their era and a great eye for good art.

The Hearst Castle was created as a demonstration of dramatic opulence, an elaborate showcase for celebrity gatherings, decorated with purposeful lack of consistency and style to show off Hearst's ability to buy (or steal) things from churches and castles all over Europe. Ostentatious doesn't begin to cover it. Think Hollywood staging (in fact, more than one movie shot one or another scene there -- I believe the pool was used in Spartacus).

I don't know if they still do this at the Hearst Castle, but when I was there, they had ketchup and mustard in their original jars on the table because "Mr. Hearst" wanted the 'common touch' -- this amid extravagant excesses of scale and collisions of styles to boggle the mind. If you know much about art and architecture, the Hearst Castle will provide you some good laughs as well as a lot of head shaking. Even if you don't, it's kind of unforgettably over-the-top.

Is it a must-see? Depends on your tastes and your time. If you are in the area, sure!
It IS a bit of amazing fun, and I was always sorry I didn't take the bathroom tour! But enough was enough.

If you have to spend a night or two in Cambria it's worth seeing. There isn't much else around there.

Thanks for the reply. Are you allowed to take photos in Hearst Castle? I know in Biltmore you are not.

As I recall--photos without flash are allowed. The tours are great and there is an interesting film about Hearst and the property. Have been to both Biltmore and Hearst Castle--both impressive for different reasons.

I took photos, but didn't use a flash.

I've been to both places, Biltmore and Hearst; I wouldn't make the drive to Hearst unless it is on your way up or down the coast.

I've been to both. I would suggest going to Hearst Castle since you'll be in the area. If they have the evening tour, take that one. The daytime tours are nice too but my favorite was the night one.

I'm not a big Hearst fan, but if you are in the area and have the time, it's probably worth a visit. I think Cassandra nailed the ambiance of the place very well. I like the view from up there more than the house. I get down that way fairly often, and it is probably on a "once in ten years" visit schedule for us (as opposed to, say, the Winchester Mystery House, which is on a "once in 80 years schedule").

Don't make any long term plans - the 2008 CA State budget is making cuts in every department. And for Parks the cuts include closing 40+ different State Parks and Rec Areas. Hearst Castle is one that is proposed for closing. The closures will be phased over the next 18 months.

just one of many articles about this http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/s...get-parks.html

One of my relatives has visitted both, and says he's happy that he saw both of them, that they are quite different.