Getting There -- Hearst Castle is on Highway 1, about 42 miles north of San Luis Obispo, 94 miles south of Monterey, 250 miles north of Los Angeles, and 250 miles south of San Francisco. From San Francisco or Monterey, take U.S. 101 south to Paso Robles, then Highway 46 west to Highway 1, and Highway 1 north to the castle. From Los Angeles, take U.S. 101 north to San Luis Obispo, then Highway 1 north to the castle. Park in the visitor center lot; a bus takes guided tour guests up the hill to the estate. The movie theater and visitor center adjoin the parking lot and are easily accessible without heading up to the actual estate.
Visitor Information -- To get information about Hearst Castle, call tel. 800/444-4445 or 805/927-2020, or log on to www.hearstcastle.org. For more information on nearby Cambria , check out www.cambria-online.com or stop into the Cambria Chamber of Commerce's visitor center at 767 Main St., in the west village (tel. 805/927-3624; www.cambriachamber.org).