San Simeon

Travel Guide
Ragged Point showing landscape views, rocky coastline and a bay or harbour
As the half-way stop between LA and San Francisco, this Big Sur beach destination is the perfect place to take a break and recharge.

San Simeon, along California’s rugged Big Sur coastal stretch, is a beach destination with a difference. While you can certainly swim or surf in its sheltered cove or fish from its pier, most people drop by to see its preserved “castle” and meet its fascinating elephant seals.

San Simeon, in San Luis Obispo County, sits between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Both cities are about 230 miles (370 kilometers) away along Highway One.

Once part of a hugeranchorun by Mexican owners, the land was bought by the rich miner George Hearst in 1865. He soon expanded his ranch and built a wharf with a warehouse on the coast.

Visit the family’s impressive estate, Hearst Castle, on former “Camp Hill.” When his home was finished, Hearst renamed it “the Enchanted Hill” and with its mansions and views it isn’t hard to see why. Take a tour of the century-old complex and admire the Roman and Neptune pools in the gardens. Don’t miss the impressive Gothic Study in the Casa Grande, the main mansion.

Afterwards, throw a line in from the 850-foot (260-meter) San Simeon Pier or take a dip in the Pacific Ocean. The waters of Simeon Cove lend themselves to kayaking and surfing. Body boards can be rented locally, too. The day-use area of the William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach has picnic tables and barbecues, so bring your own supplies for a seaside lunch. Afterwards, stretch your legs by roaming the beach or by following the nearby trail up to the pine trees for lofty ocean views.

Just to the north of the park is the also free-to-access Piedras Blancas Rookery where there are northern elephant seals. Watch these odd-looking creatures doze, scratch, play and swim. While in the area, also tour the 19th-century Piedras Blancas Light Station.

Hotels line the highway on either side in San Simeon. In Cambria, just to the south, you can find many more accommodations as well as restaurants, shops and family attractions. This area may not have five-star hotels and services, but it’s a charming, laid-back region to visit, with some of the best beaches of the Big Sur.

Silver Surf Motel
Silver Surf Motel
2 out of 5
9390 Castillo Dr, San Simeon, CA
The price is S$116 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
S$116
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Stay at this motel in San Simeon. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Good bargain. Clean, quiet."

Reviewed on 12 May,2024

Silver Surf Motel
Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
3.5 out of 5
9415 Hearst Drive, San Simeon, CA
The price is S$244 per night from 3 Jun to 4 Jun
S$244
per night
3 Jun - 4 Jun
Book a stay at this beach hotel in San Simeon. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,412 reviews)
"We have been coming here for 34 years. Love the view! I really enjoy the in-room fireplace and the sliding glass door that allows us to enjoy the sound of the waves. We’ll definitely be back!"

Reviewed on 19 May,2024

Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
The Morgan Hotel San Simeon
The Morgan Hotel San Simeon
3.5 out of 5
9135 Hearst Drive, San Simeon, CA
The price is S$158 per night from 28 May to 29 May
S$158
per night
28 May - 29 May
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in San Simeon. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,106 reviews)
"I liked my king bed corner room. It looked and felt luxurious. I liked also the glamorous bathroom with separate shower and huge tub. The extra area between bedroom and bathroom served both as a kitchen area (microwave,coffee,fridge) and dressing room with vanity. I chose the room to look at the ..."

Reviewed on 16 May,2024

The Morgan Hotel San Simeon
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Lofts at The Market
The Lofts at The Market
3.5 out of 5
1803 Spring St, Paso Robles, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Paso Robles. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Sensorio and Paso Robles Pioneer Museum are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (29 reviews)
"We really liked this place, but be forewarned, there are quite a few stairs."

Reviewed on 31 Mar,2024

The Lofts at The Market
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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