Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle, a hilltop mansion built by William Randolph Hearst, is located along the beautiful Central Coast of California in the tiny town of San Simeon. It was begun in 1919 and completed over a 28-year period, resulting in a special mix of architectural styles that is both quirky and stately.

It sits on a hill, 1,600 feet above sea level, with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Lucia Range. The vast art collection is one of the main attractions here. The castle formerly housed the world's biggest private zoo, and zebras and other exotic animals may still be seen wandering the grounds nowadays. The castle is almost halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. It takes around four hours to drive from either city.