Near San Simeon in San Luis Obispo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument

Hearst Castle

State Historical Monument Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Horan of Gustine, California, October 30, 2022

1. State Historical Monument Plaque

Inscription. Here, on the historic Piedra Blanca Rancho, William Randolph Hearst created La Cuesta Encantada (The Enchanted Hill), including La Casa Grande and adjacent buildings, with their rare art treasures and beautiful gardens, 1919-1947.

Presented to the State of California in 1958 by the Hearst Corporation as a memorial to William Randolph Hearst and donated in the name of his mother Phoebe Apperson Hearst.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 640.

Erected 1958 by California State Park Commission. (Marker Number 640.)

Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1958.

Location. 35° 39.061′ N, 121° 11.168′ W. Marker is near San Simeon, California, in San Luis Obispo County. It can be reached from the intersection of Hearst Castle Road and Cabrillo Highway (California Highway 1). This marker is located in an alcove in front of the Hearst Castle Visitors Center. Parks department tour buses run from the visitor center to the castle for guided tours only. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Simeon CA 93452, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and monument is on Central Coast

and 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Shore Whaling in San Simeon (approx. half a mile away); Catching a Whale (approx. half a mile away); Turning Whale Blubber Into Valuable Oil (approx. half a mile away); From Whaling to Whale Watching (approx. half a mile away); Hearst Ranch (approx. 0.6 miles away); History of San Simeon Bay (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sebastian Store (approx. 0.6 miles away); San Simeon Bay is a Special Place (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Simeon.

Additional commentary.
1. Plaques have been moved.
Both plaques have been moved and are now mounted to a decorative marble monument at the covered patio.

— Submitted October 30, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.

National Historic Landmark Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Horan of Gustine, California, October 30, 2022

2. National Historic Landmark Plaque

Photographed by Jeff Horan of Gustine, California, October 30, 2022

3. State Historical Monument Plaque

Photographed by Jeff Horan of Gustine, California, October 30, 2022

4. National Historic Landmark Plaque

La Casa Grande - Hearst Castle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James King, September 23, 2012

5. La Casa Grande - Hearst Castle

Original Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 5, 2013

6. Original Location

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 5, 2013

7. Original Location

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2012, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 1,072 times since then and 57 times this year. Last updated on September 7, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 30, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 5. submitted on September 25, 2012, by James King of San Miguel, California. 6, 7. submitted on September 7, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.