The Grand Rooms of Hearst Castle’s Casa Grande

A picture of the Morning Room from the Grand Rooms Tour.

Our Grand Rooms Tour started with a bit of history of Hearst Castle atop La Cuesta Encantada or the Enchanted Hill as William Randolph Hearst liked to call this place. We also got a sampling of the art collection showcased around the house upon the San Simeon’s hills. (The previous post — if you missed it — What is up there at the famous Hearst Castle.)

While we waited to be shown into the Casa Grande or the main building of the castle, our guide, James pointed out that the bell towers were inspired by a cathedral in Spain. As for the gate that plays the doorway to the building, it was brought from a from a convent (also from Spain if I’m not mistaken). And the sculpture of Mary and infant Jesus in a niche above the gate also came from a Cathedral in Spain. With its church-like facade, Casa Grande was designed to reflect architecture found in Southern Spain, according to the Hearst Castle brochure.

The front of Casa Grande

 Grand Rooms Tour: A sneak peek

When it was time to see the Grand Rooms we were led to the side of the building and we made our way inside through a small door that looked like one you would find on the side of a church.

Later, as we passed the main entry (from the inside), our guide showed us why the main door was not used during the tours. The idea was to preserve the delicate mosaic on the floor just behind that ‘convent gate.’

The gate that plays the main entrance to Casa Grande. (And the mosaic on the floor.)

During the Grand Rooms Tour of Hearst Castle, we walked through the Assembly Room, the Dining Room or the Refectory, the Morning Room, the Billards Room and the Movie Theater. As we went through the details in the furniture, walls and ceilings, and took in all the grandeur of Casa Grande, James told about Hearst and his ways.

We listened to how Hearst liked to entertain his guests up here at the ranch and how he wanted his guests to enjoy the casa and its outdoors, while they were here.

Finally, here’s a teeny weeny bit of what we saw during the Grand Rooms Tour:

Trust me, what I share here, is only a portion of the marvel that Hearst Castle is. There’s so much more to see in there. The statues, the lights, the furniture, the tapestry and the tiles on the walls, they all reflect the wide range of interests that Hearst had.

After the tour, we were free to roam the Gardens, enjoy the environs and take pictures. By then, the thick fog that welcomed us that morning had moved away. And we were able to see the views from the castle — the San Simeon Hills on one side and the Pacific Ocean on another side. (pics in the previous post)

Before we took the shuttle back down to the visitor center, we got a look at the castle’s indoor Roman Pool.

Indoor Roman pool

Now that you’ve seen these pictures, are you inspired to go see this building that is nothing short of an art museum? By the way, there are other tours that might interest you.

Here’s what you need to know for your trip to Hearst Castle:

1. Make sure you book your tickets for a Hearst Castle tour much in advance. This is just to make sure you don’t go all the way there and leave disappointed.

2. The only way to visit the Hearst Castle is by opting for one of the tours. You cannot drive all the way up to the building. A tour bus from the visitor center will take you up there. The tour buses are the only way to get to the top of the hill, where the castle stands.

3.  Each tour should take around an hour. Make sure you get there early so as to not miss your time slot. On busy days, they may not be able to reschedule your tour.

4. On the ride up and down the hills look out for animals. Some of the animals which were part of what was the largest private zoo, here in the Hearst Estates are still there. (When Hearst went through bad times, most animals were sent to zoos around the country.)

5. Food and chewing gum are not allowed into the Castle. You are only allowed to carry some drinking water. The cafe in the visitor centre will have refreshments/ lunch/ breakfast that you can buy.

Bonus point 6. Also, make sure to pick up some homemade fudge while you are there.

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 Our World Tuesday

If you missed the previous post and would like to see  the exteriors of Hearst Castle, you might want to visit — What’s up there at the Hearst Castle

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