Seconds With Steff

One thing that was continually discussed on the tour was the architect of Casa Grande and cottages, Julia Morgan.

Let’s just say, Mr. Hearst and I have VERY different definitions of the word cottage.

I wish I could remember more details…And again, CEILINGS!

My first of four tours was the Grand Rooms Tour. The scope and enormity are gobsmacking. There truly are no words. It is suggested for first time visitors, so I made sure I did it first. If you go from tour to tour, you will see I took a ton of pictures of the ceiling……

Every tour started at The Neptune Pool so over the course of the day and four tours, I got lots of pictures and different angles.

Yes, that was William Randolph Hearst’s name for the main house… he also called the entire estate the ranch. My first picture of the day is the first picture, and you can see how the day got sunshinier. Every picture, every moment really was everything 17 year old Stephanie ever dreamed!

Although I’ve heard stories of tourist being allowed to roam freely around the property, that was no longer the case in 2022, so in between every tour, I had to take the bus back to the center and back to Casa Grande, so that was four round trips! And did I take pictures!!! View of…

At the base of the mountain drive is The Hearst Castle Visitor’s Center. Parks in the parking lot and check out the center. You can buy tickets, eat lunch, and shop in a fairly large gift shop. Once ticketed for a tour, hop on a charter type bus to ride up to the Caste, known…

Seventh grade Stephanie eventually gave way to 12th grade Stephanie (the boy was still cute but never knew I existed). When I watched Citizen Kane in Mr. Scherer’s film criticism class, I became enthralled as soon as the newscaster announced, “Legendary was Xanadu where Kubla Khan decreed his stately pleasure dome.” And thirty one years…

Within miles of Hearst Castle is an Elephant Seal Vista Point. Just stop to watch and listen for a while.