Hearst Castle

A trip to Hearst Castle is one of the best day trips from Los Angeles. It is farther distant than the other places on this list, but it's still worth the trip because of its special cultural significance and breathtaking location. At the southernmost point of Big Sur on California's Central Coast, this amazing landmark is located high on a hilltop with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Big Sur, located 90 miles to the north of Hearst Castle, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty.

Over a 28-year period (from 1919 to 1947), San Francisco newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst built California's lone castle. He hired Julia Morgan as his architect to design a sumptuous 165-room Spanish-style palace. The architectural design of the castle was influenced by Andalusia's 16th-century cathedrals. Hearst bought tapestries, paintings, and other European antiques to display throughout the castle, which is displayed in the opulent interior. Hearst Castle is actually a state historical monument that is run by the California State Parks system and is now a museum of the art certified by the American Alliance of Museums.

Address: 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452, United States

Phone: +1 800-444-4445

Website: http://www.hearstcastle.org/