Hearst Castle and San Simeon

Elephant Seals (Way OFF at the edge of the photo)

Casa del Sol, Guest House Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle Pool...I really wanted to take a dip.

View from Castle

Wild Coyote Vineyard. (My belly at 26 weeks)

Wyatt and I took labor day weekend to make a brief getaway from Los Angeles to explore the Central Coast of California. We stayed at the Orchid Inn in San Simeon which was close to Hearst Castle and the Elephant Seal viewing area but not close to much else. We really liked that it wasn't close to much else, gave a sense of actually getting away! Hearst Castle is really amazing. It is atop a large hill/mountain/crest in San Simeon with views of the pacific, the mountain ranges and the coast for miles around. Simply breathtaking views that make the house even more amazing considering when and how it was built. The main house was started in 1921 and took almost 18 years to finish, at a cost of $10 million. WR Hearst wanted a house that was Spanish, mediterannean, and art deco all at the same time. When visiting the castle you can see the different periods he was interested in as well as the interest he had in art. He also had his own airstrip on his property! After touring the castle we made our way a little further up the coast to view the Elephant Seals which are protected on the coast. Unfortunately for Wyatt and I the seals were out to sea for the next few months. A few were visible at an extreme distance and the only "one" truly visible was a skeleton of one that the seagulls were using as a perch of sorts. We hope to head back up to San Simeon with the baby in the mid to late spring for a getaway when not only the seals are on land but the whales are visible as well. We spent Sunday having fun driving around backroads off Hwy 101 after a beautiful drive down the PCH into Paso Robles. We visited an olive grove and a few vineyards. The belly photo (as promised) is from Wild Coyote Vineyard.