Am researching the different tour options and need some help. We are first time visitors who live about 4 hours away - a mom with 2 teens - any suggestions between tours 1,2,3,4? The evening tour sounds intriguing but we can't stay the evening. Anyone recommend doing more than one tour? Thanks!

I've only been there once - in July this year - and here's my 2 cents.

Tour #1 is the recommended one for first-time visitors. It includes the movie; plus the tour. I think that one will fit your group the best.

We didn't take tour #1 but tour #2 instead, the reason being I was more interested in what was being shown in tour #2. The tour groups are also smaller, compared to #1. But we had to pay a supplement to watch the movie.

All tours visit the Neptune Pool and the indoor Roman Pool.

You certainly can take more than 1 tour, if you're that interested. But of course, the cost adds up. Also, you need to leave enough time between the tours. The thing is, the visitors center is at the bottom of the hill, and that's where all the tours start. When it's time for your tour, you line up to get on the bus, which then drives up the hill (~10-15 min ride) and drops you off at the Castle. At the end of the tour, you take the bus back down to the Visitors Center. Even if you're taking more than 1 tour, you have to return to the Visitors Center at the end of your first tour. They DO NOT allow anyone to hang out at the Castle unguided.

If you take more than 1 tour, I'd do Tour #1 in the AM, watch the movie, then a second tour in the afternoon, after lunch. I'm pretty sure there is a DISCOUNT if you book more than 1 tour for the same day.

Here's what I wrote about Hearst Castle in my trip report:
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Hearst Castle
This was our main highlight on this trip. While the website recommends first-time visitors to take Tour #1 (the highlights tour), I decided that we'll take Tour #2 instead (upper floors of Casa Grande). I've read comments of Tour #1 with reviewers complaining about the huge size of the groups. Tour #2 has a maximum of 12 people on each group, which is what I like about it.

All tours begin with the outdoor Neptune Pool and end with the indoor Roman Pool. Both are spectacular, esp the Roman Pool with the Venetian glass mosaic tiles and 24 carat gold leaves.
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/p...9/IMG_4228.jpg
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/p...9/IMG_4275.jpg
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/p...9/IMG_4269.jpg

Tour #2 covers the upper floors of Casa Grande, which consists of bedrooms for Hearst and his guests, as well as his public and private libraries, and the modern kitchen.
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/p...9/IMG_4240.jpg
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/p...9/IMG_4255.jpg
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/p...9/IMG_4264.jpg

What's different about this place than other European castles I've been, is that Hearst Castle is a hodgepodge of European artifacts from different countries and different centuries. Many of these artifacts are built INTO the architecture. One major issue on this tour is that it is extremely warm inside the castle; even though we took an early 10am tour.

After the tour, we decided to pay extra to watch the 40-min movie (included with Tour #1). We have a discount of $2 per person. It's a nice movie shown in an IMAX theatre.

Thanks for the quick response yk! I like your suggestion of tour #1 in the morning. It's good to know that all tours include the pools, they'll be a highlight. Great photos.

yk has given you great advice. I hope you can stay and do another tour in the afternoon.

We went on the evening tour several years back. It was very cool. Docents were dressed up as guests of Mr. Hearst, playing the part. The kitchen even had a chef telling us what was on the menu that night. We had been on the #1 tour several times in the past, so this was good to see a few of the other parts of the property. Save this tour for another time!!

And watch Citizen Kane before you go!

You're welcome, rosegirl. You didn't say in your post whether you're doing this as a day trip or overnight trip? Obviously, it'll be difficult to do 2 tours in one day if this is a day trip - or even a morning tour!