Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

Exhibits/Programs

Assistive listening devices, wheelchairs, a list of touchable artifacts, and Braille transcripts are available upon request. Sign language interpreters may be arranged with advance notice. Two accessibly designed tours of the hilltop estate are described below.

Parking

Accessible parking is available. Routes of travel to the ticket area are accessible. Bus transportation from the Visitors Center to the castle includes seating for two wheelchairs.

Visitor Center

The ticket and information area is accessible, as is the exhibit building and gallery. Exhibits are generally accessibly designed. Assistance is available in the gift shop, snack bar, and other concessions to reach some items. Fixed benches in the area have been accessibly retrofitted. Restrooms throughout the area are accessible. Accessible telescopes are available at the overlook area.

Hearst Castle Theater

Accessible wheelchair areas with companion seating, assistive listening devices and accessible restrooms are available. Presentations with captions are available upon request.

Accessible Tour Programs

Tours designed to accommodate visitors with mobility disabilities or for those who have difficulty standing or walking for lengths of time are described below. Visitors may use their own wheelchairs providing the chairs can enter doorways 28 inches wide. Visitors may also borrow wheelchairs at no extra charge. A specially equipped bus takes visitors to the historic hilltop estate to meet the guide for the tour. Once on the hilltop, visitors are transported between terraces via electric carts that can hold up to four persons and up to two wheelchairs per accessible tour. Three to six accessible tours are offered daily, and are very popular. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Larger groups should make advance arrangements. Please use the hearstcastle.com website link in Overview above for additional details on wheelchair tours.

Grand Rooms Tour – Accessibly Designed

This tour takes visitors into the ground floor rooms of the main house, Casa Grande. Tour highlights are the Assembly Room, Refectory, Billiard Room, Theater, Gardens, Neptune Pool and the Roman Pool. After the guided portion of this tour, visitors have the option to remain on the hilltop and take a self-guided tour though the lush grounds and gardens. Staff is available to transport visitors back the bus departure area.

Evening Tour – Accessibly Designed

Evening tours provide visitors the opportunity to experience the castle as it glitters against the evening sky. This tour includes entry into one of the accessible floors of the guest house, Casa del Mar. Other tour highlights are the Assembly Room, Refectory, Billiard Room, Theater, Kitchen, Gardens, Neptune Pool and the Roman Pool. Please see www.hearstcastle.org for evening tour schedules.

Virtual Photo Walks is a non-profit organization that harnesses the power of the internet and mobile communications to enable the disabled infirm and those isolated and hospitalized – young and old – to visit distant places. More information is available by visiting Virtual Photo Walks.

Archived Virtual Photo Walks that took place at Hearst San Simeon SHM include: The Roaring 20’s of Hearst Castle, Hearst Castle has a Secret, and Christmas at Hearst Castle.