Hearst Castle Tours and Tickets

Hearst Castle offers visitors seven different tours, each with its own unique experience. From the Grand Rooms Tour to the Upstairs Suites Tour, guests can explore 145 acres of historic architecture and gardens, as well as view artworks collected by publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst. There’s also the Evening Tour and the Behind-the-Scenes Tour for those wanting something a little more unique.

For those wanting the full experience, the Grand Rooms Tour offers just that—a full immersion into the splendor and grandeur of both living and entertaining in this marvelous property. It allows visitors to explore six guest rooms from the Casa del Mar suite up to the magnificent main building of Casa Grande.

Tour lengths vary depending on the package that you choose—there is a Downstairs Only Tour which takes approximately 1 hour, a Grand Room Tour which takes approximately 2 hours, and an Upstairs Tour which adds another 30 minutes to the Grand Room portion.

No. While admission to Hearst Castle requires a fee to enter, there are several opportunities for free admission through special offers such as “Castle Fridays”—when all visitors receive free admission after 11am—as well as community programs that provide complimentary passes year-round. Visitors can choose between guided or self-guided tours.

No, Hearst Castle does not allow individual visitors to walk or drive on the property without being accompanied by a trained guide. If you are wishing to drive around the grounds of this iconic site, you will have to book a tour in advance and have valid identification with you.

When planning your trip to Hearst Castle, you’ll need to plan ahead. You can purchase tickets up to seven days in advance—more if a ticket package has been booked—which will allow you plenty of time to make travel arrangements and double-check all details before you go.