Discount Car Rental and Hearst Castle
Back in 1865, George Hearst, a wealthy miner, purchased nearly 40,000 acres of fertile ranchland covering land in the Mexican Ranchos of Piedra Blanca, San Simeon and Santa Rosa. Since then, the ranch has grown to epic proportions, encompassing more than 250,000 acres of San Francisco property. Originally nicknamed Camp Hill for its wilderness offerings, the compound is now known as La Cuesta Encantada" or "The Enchanted Hill" in English. The estate is also home to tone of San Francisco's most astounding landmark destinations - Hearst Castle. Built in the style of Mediterranean Revival, the main house of La Cuesta Encantada clearly resembles a handful of early Spanish cathedrals, a fact that's responsible for the building's regal classification. A palace in every sense, Hearst Castle features more than 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, walkways, pools and terraces. If you're looking to add a regal edge to your upcoming San Francisco discount car rental there's really only one place to go! Head to Hearst Castle today for a tour of America's favorite castle!
Walk the Halls like Mr. Hearst
There are currently a number of tours that transverse the grounds of Hearst Castle and The Enchanted Hill. Each of these tours highlights a separate section of the estate, providing discount car rental customers with a specialized look at Hearst Castle and its history. The first tour available at the Castle includes a look at the Esplanade and Gardens, and five rooms inside the Casa Grande (the Castle itself). These rooms include the largest of 14 sitting rooms, the refectory, the billiard room, an east-facing sitting room and the theater. If you choose to embark on this tour you will also be treated to a 40 minute movie entitled "Hearst Castle - Building the Dream" inside the onsite National Geographic Theater inside the Visitor Center. The second tour option available includes an in-depth look at the Castle's upper floors. You and your discount car rental friends will explore the Doge's Suite (an Italian-style suite inspired by the Doge's Palace in Venice), the guest library, the kitchen and pantry, the Gothic suite and four guestrooms commonly known as "The Cloisters". A third tour includes a look at the unfinished north terrace section of the building, the neighboring Casa del Monte guesthouse and three floors of guest suites in the Castle's North Wing. A short film will also be staged illustrating the enormous amount of change Hearst Castle has undergone over the years. The fourth tour of Hearst Castle is only offered April though October and provides discount car rental customers with access to a hidden terrace, the Castle's wine cellar and the famous Neptune Pool dressing rooms. You will also be treated to a rare view of the estate from high atop the Esplanade as you make your way towards the Casa del Mar guesthouse. Evening tours are also available most Fridays and Saturdays, March through May and September through December. This special tour includes highlights from the above mentioned itineraries.
Additional Information and Tour Particulars
Hearst Castle is open for tours daily beginning at approximately 8:20am. The last tour usually begins at 3:20pm. Daytime tours take approximately one (1) hour and 45 minutes. All tours include a round trip from the Visitor Center as well as stops at the outdoor Neptune Pool and the indoor Roman Pool. Accessibility Designed Tours are also available for special needs travelers. All tours encompass nearly a half mile of walking as well as 150 to 400 stairs. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended. Once you've enjoyed the Hearst Castle Experience, Super Cheap Discount Car Rentals reminds you to stop in at the Museum Shop and Hearst Castle Gift Shop. A Snack Bar and Espresso Bar are also on site to help quell afternoon hunger pains. Tour prices range from $12 to $30 depending on the season, so please remember to call ahead for pricing details.
To learn more about Hearst Castle before embarking on your upcoming discount car rental vacation visit www.hearstcastle.com. Tour tickets can be reserved toll free by calling 1-800-444-4445. Hearst Castle is located inside the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument at 750 Hearst Castle Road in San Simeon, California.
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