is hearst castle a must see ?
 

Is the hearst castle really a must see on the drive up the PCH ? If so, how much time is needed for the stop ?

no, it is not

I think it is! There are different tours available, so not sure about the time requirement.

I vote yes

Another yes vote. It's a unique place - nothing else like it. And yes the tours vary quite a bit, so you can pick ones that suit your interest and schedule.

I am also voting yes. How can you drive by without stopping? I do not recommend it for small children though. They have different tours so time can vary. We spent about 3 hours there.

Yes, we have been there once and would go again but do a different tour. Our guide was really good and made it so interesting.

Kay

Another yes vote. I'd agree that it's not a good place to take small children. Also, there are a LOT of steps, so if that would be a problem, then give it a miss.

I think it is worth a stop. Look into booking tickets in advance if you can plan it. They have a website and people really do book ahead so time slots can fill up. Like others said, tour times vary. I recommend the basic tour for a first timer.

If you are driving the PCH, I say it's a must see. A peek into a different era and (for most of us) a totally different lifestyle. Book ahead if possible.

You stop at the welcome center, and take one of their tours. For us, the center itself with the castle movie was enough, we didn't take the bus/walk tour. Four "no" votes from our family :)

Faina - your vote should only count 1/2, since as my mother always said, you can't dislike what you haven't tried!

>:-)

Depends on your taste for the excessive and/or your sense of humor, and it helps to have some idea of Hollywood history. I found it really fascinating and would like to go back to take the tour we didn't have time for. Poke around the website a little, but remember those little pictures represent a very large estate.

A half-day is the bare minimum, I'd estimate.

I was reading reviews on Tripadvisor, and seems like perhaps Tour #2 is better than Tour #1? It sounds like tour #1 is recommended for first-time visitors, but the group is large (40-50 people)? I read the description for Tour #2 and seems like it is more of my taste (<i>Tour Two focuses on the architectural elements and vast art collection in the main house, or Casa Grande. </i>)

Has anyone taken tour #1 and #2 or just #2 and what's your thought?

Sorry, OP, didn't mean to hijack.

P.S. is there some place decent to eat lunch nearby? Looks like the visitors center has a snack bar but it looks rather pathetic on the website. Thanks.

Yes. Just 15 miles north on Highway 1 is Ragged Point Inn. Lovely lunches and wonderful views.

It's definitely worth a stop if you've never been there, even if you have a different taste in art as Hearst. The location/views are wonderful and it's interesting to see the opulence of the Neptune and Roman pools. We spent a little over a couple of hours there which included the tour and a bit of time at the visitor's center.

Yes, stop if you can. It is worth the visit. We would have liked to have seen it on a night tour.

<B>Yes!</B> d

Definitely pre-book which ever tour you choose. There are pros to each tour option, so whichever one(s) you can book for your specific date will be fine.

BTW -- In central/northern CA we don't call it PCH (or Pacific Coast Highway even). That is a SoCal "thing". You'll be on Hwy 1 . . . . .

I think it is worth seeing.

thank you all for your input. it sounds like most of you agree, I should make the stop. our time is limited and there is so much we want to see, but I'm definitely gonna try to squeeze it in.

I vote yes, and you need at least a half day.

Any suggestions for places for lunch south of Hearst Castle? Since we are heading south to LA after our tour, it's preferable if we head south instead of north to Ragged Point Inn. Thanks again.

yk,

The Best Western Cavalier Resort in San Simeon has a nice little restaurant. It's on the right side (ocean side) of the road as you drive south through San Simeon.

http://www.cavalierresort.com/restaurants.html

Yk, you'd find several options for lunch in Cambria.