Money buys you lots of things

Photo essay: Finally got to visit Hearst Castle

by Jahanshah Javid
16-Nov-2008
 
Hearst Castle is the palatial estate built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. It is located near San Simeon, California, on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Donated by the Hearst Corporation to the state of California in 1957, it is now a State Historical Monument and a National Historic Landmark, open for public tours. Hearst formally named the estate "La Cuesta Encantada" ("The Enchanted Hill"), but he usually just called it "the ranch". The castle and grounds are also sometimes referred to as "San Simeon" without distinguishing between the Hearst property and the unincorporated town of the same name. -- Wikipedia
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As webcartoonists careen

by Robber (not verified) on

As webcartoonists careen down the uncharted territory of this new economy, it might be useful to take a quick peek in the rear-view mirror. Obviously, keeping one's business viable during this challenging time is pretty daunting, but are there actually a few opportunities out there? I think there are. I guess it's due to my newspaper background. I've always been told that newspapers are Depression-proof. They're cheap entertainment / information and they have historically flourished during harsh economic times. Of course, newspapers aren't faring so well today. But I don't think that it's because papers are no longer cheap entertainment. It's because cheap entertainment has moved to the Web. So, maybe — — we as Web entertainers are in the same place that newspapers were at the beginning of the century. They innovated like crazy to survive the lean times, and after the economy rebounded, those innovations powered their businesses forward for decades to come. Comforting thought, eh? So, in that spirit, here's a look at one of the prime innovators of that time, William Randolph Hearst. By no means was he a cuddly sweetheart. But he was a newspaper guy who knew the power of comics. And his influence remains almost a century later.


Foaad Khosmood

Persian rugs

by Foaad Khosmood on

some of those were probably direct gifts from the Shah who stayed a the Castle several times. When I did the tour several years ago, there was a picture of him dining there with a bunch of other people.

Also, in the gift shop there is a book on the rugs. It talks about their history. One of the Persian Rugs is on the cover.

It's a beautiful location. I couldn't get past the view and the fact that San Simeon became a city just to house the workers who built the castle. Also the backstory about the pioneering female architect, Julia Morgan, who built the property for Hearst was fascinating.


Niki

Remember when we were

by Niki on

Remember when we were supposed to go down there together back in the day? I'm glad you finally went. We went there just a couple of years ago. What a freak, that hearst, I re-watched citizen kane after the visit. Anyway, take care, and drive safely down the ole 1.


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Good for you, JJ

by Maryam Hojjat (not verified) on

JJ,
I admire you for what you have chosen professionally to make yourself happy.


faryarm

Phoebe Hearst's Castle and Persian Connection

by faryarm on

A brief comment about this is missing...

?? 


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Nice pictures Jahanshah

by KavehV (not verified) on

This area is the location of our annual winter refuge. I like it precisely because there is nothing there, and it is the least populated coastal area south of SF bay.

I must admit that in every trip (5 or 6 times) I have been aware of and thought of the Hearst castle, but never had the desire to go up for a visit. After seeing your pics, I think I will go up the hill and take a tour on my next visit.

If you're still in the area, don't forget to visit the elephant seals about 10 miles north of Hearst castle Rd.


Princess

Yes, I was also going to say...

by Princess on

the same powerful Hearst who was so offended by Welles' Citizen Kane, that he managed to prevent him from making another movie ever again.


Darius Kadivar

Xanadu and Spartacus

by Darius Kadivar on

Wow did you know that this Castle was the Actual Xanadu described in Orson Welles' Citizen Kane.

And the Swimming pool that looks like a Roman Bath was used for a scene in Spartacus. You can see it in this trailer where Laurence Olivier walks through. 

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7m9zLfDd-4&feature=related

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAcghGaors&feature=related


Khar

I knew it, I knew it...

by Khar on

There is more to California than I have seen. I've been to CA many times but mostly relaxing and just bumming by the beach and going up and down PCH and occasionally lighting up a good one :-). But this is great I have to remember that for the next visit.

Btw, Here's his great-granddaughter, I guess she was just bored with all that money:

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patty_hearst

 


Souri

Agha JJ

by Souri on

"I could have made a lot money and life would have been much more comfortable , but I just want to do my own things and be my own boss......I wouldn't replace that freedom with any amount of money"...

You are right my dear JJ:

There are things that money can't buy.

But, 

Master Card can !! :D)