San Simeon in San Luis Obispo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
San Simeon Bay is a Special Place
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 25, 2026
1. San Simeon Bay is a Special Place Marker
In 1953, the Hearst Corporation donated the area comprising William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach to San Luis Obispo County in memory of William Randolph Hearst.
In 1970, the property and pier were transferred to the state of California. Hearst San Simeon State Park and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary offer many opportunities to enjoy recreation and wildlife viewing.
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·NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 600,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters.
·A great way to explore San Simeon Bay is by kayaking or diving below the surface.
·Recreational fishing is a popular pastime from the coastline and the pier.
·Protect sensitive tide pool life by stepping carefully when exploring. Leave animals where you find them.
·Frequently seen in spring through fall, humpback whales feed on small fish such as anchovies, sardines, and mackerel.
·Kelp forests in the nearshore capture carbon and create a biodiverse habitat for many species.
Erected by California State Parks and National Oceanic and
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.
Location. 35° 38.492′ N, 121° 11.28′ W. Marker is in San Simeon, California, in San Luis Obispo County. It can be reached from Slo San Simeon Road. Marker is located on San Simeon Pier, also known as the William Randolph Hearst Memorial Pier. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 255 Slo San Simeon Rd, San Simeon CA 93452, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast and specifically on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: History of San Simeon Bay (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); From Whaling to Whale Watching (approx. 0.2
Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 25, 2026
2. San Simeon Bay is a Special Place Marker
Also see . . . Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (NOAA). (Submitted on April 10, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 18 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 10, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
