This is the view from the Visitors' Center to Hearst Castle.
This, however, is the view from Hearst Castle.
How's this for a front door?
Outdoor pool that was always heated, in case William Randolph Hearst showed up!
This is a Greek facade that was brought over from Europe. "It is old" was the tour guide's comment!
Just one of many marble statues around the pool.
When describing the decor, the guide said, "If it glitters, it is 23k gold,
all of it is 23k gold!"
The mantel from one of the guest bedroom suites.
This is the top half of a mantle; the bottom half is the same size for total of approximately 25' high! Each time it was moved,
it was disassembled and remortared. Hearst bought it in the 1920s
and moved it to this house.
The ceiling of the billiard room.
One of more than a dozen lights in the home theatre room in the Castle.
Unfortunately, you cannot see all of the detail of the silver in the dining room-- it is an amazing collection, including a Mace from 1902 (not quite an antique!).
Although these are on display in the museum, they were once used in the main dining room. This gives you a feel for the gilt of Hearst's tastes.
This is the indoor pool. It is 10 feet deep at all ends. Guests didn't like this pool from what we were told, partly because of the depth-- you had to be able to swim!
Remember: "All that glitters"? And this is the indoor pool, with all of that chlorine dripping all over the gold-inlaid tiles.
Of course, what's a pool area at the Hearst Castle without a marble statue?