Hearst Castle to introduce self-guided tour
December 18, 2009
Hearst Castle officials have announced a new self-guided tour of castle grounds, designed to allow visitors to explore the estate’s fabled gardens and Neptune Pool at their own pace. Starting in mid-March, special sunset tours will be introduced on Friday and Saturday afternoons only. Plans call for the self-guided tours to expand to seven days a week in summer and run through September.
Under guidelines issued by District Superintendent Nick Franco, the new tour will begin at 4 p.m., after the regularly guided tours have ended for the day. Guides will be on hand to answer questions, but visitors will have complete access to the gardens, walkways and the Neptune Pool, including 60 sculptures and 150 pieces of art — not to mention one of the most breathtaking views on the Central Coast.
“The new tour allows visitors to experience the gardens at their own leisure,” said Franco. “Both first time and returning guests can now enjoy the gardens as the guests of William Randolph Hearst did.”
Ticket prices for the new Gardens and Vistas tour are $24 for adults and $12 for children, ages 6 through 17. Ticket prices also include admission to the National Geographic Theatre for the screening of the Hearst biography movie. Reservations are already being accepted at http://www.hearstcastle.com.
The comments below represent the opinion of the writer and do not represent the views or policies of CalCoastNews.com. Please address the Policies, events and arguments, not the person. Constructive debate is good; mockery, taunting, and name calling is not. Comment Guidelines