The Perfect Weekend in San Luis Obispo
Updated: April 19, 2023
Hearst Castle
Located about 45 minutes north of San Luis Obispo, Hearst Castle is a must. As a boy, William Randall Hearst traveled through Europe, falling in love with the grand homes and castles. In 1919, Hearst wanted to build a castle of his own, and because he had loads of money (back when publishing was BIG, baby!), this dream became a reality. Hearst sought out architect Julia Morgan, and over 28 years, the duo constructed this American castle atop a hill overlooking California’s San Simeon Valley.
Opulence doesn’t even begin to describe this place. The main house includes 168 bedrooms; Roman baths covered from floor to ceiling in blue and orange one-inch tile; and the iconic 345,000 gallon Neptune pool. The property once housed a zoo, complete with free-ranging zebra. (Fun fact: though the zoo is no longer maintained, a few of the animals’ descendants remain. You can sometimes see zebras grazing on the property!) The parties thrown at this 250,000-acre estate were legendary and included old Hollywood stars like Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford, Errol Flynn, Clark Gable and Greta Garbo as well as Hearst’s longtime girlfriend, star Marion Davies, plus the biggest names in politics and sports. Located about a four-hour drive from both San Francisco and Los Angeles, Hearst’s property includes a two-runway airstrip, which made flying guests in and out a breeze.
Today the Castle is open all year long (with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) and offers four distinct daily tours to choose from, in addition to seasonal tours.
Wine, Wine and More Wine
Though the nearby is lesser-known than Napa or Sonoma Valley, they’re churning out some of the best wines in California. You’ll find over 300 wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants in the area, complete with quaint historic towns and beautiful scenery.One definitely worth mentioning is the Hearst Ranch Winery, located just down the road from the castle. Housed in a former general store built in 1852, the business once served as the area’s main shipping point for barrels of whale oil, cheese, butter and other commodities on the Central Coast. Today visitors love to sample wines on the deck while hearing the crashing ocean waves and taking in views of Hearst Castle. If you’re looking to stay nearby, the winery rents out a four-bedroom, four-bathroom historic adobe. There are plenty of other options available.
Where to Eat and Sleep
About an hour south of the castle (and along the route between L.A. and San Simeon), you’ll find one of the most kitschy, fun and over-the-top hotel experiences. Imagine if Liberace, Elvis and Marie Antoinette designed a hotel, and boom, you’ve got the Madonna Inn. This San Luis Obispo gem features 110 whimsical guestrooms, each with its own unique charm and décor, and lots of the Madonna’s signature color—hot pink.You don’t actually have to stay here to enjoy the place. The casual Madonna Inn Copper Cafe is straight out of the 1960s and offers diner-style staples like corn beef hash with eggs, Denver omelets, BLTs and patty melts. The Alex Madonna's Gold Rush Steak House isn’t reinventing the wheel, and that’s partly why it’s so great. Enjoy jumbo shrimp cocktail followed by filet mignon with a baked potato and dinner salad. A post-dinner Manhattan at the Silver Bar Cocktail Lounge might be the perfect way to end your night. There’s live entertainment most evenings, which cements the stepping-back-in time vibe. Tip: If you have a chance to check out the men’s room, the urinal is priceless.
Best Place for a Selfie
Bubblegum Alley! Imagine a 70-foot long narrow stretch between two 15-foot walls, covered in chewed bubblegum. Yes, it’s kinda gross, but also pretty fun. Take a bubblegum selfie, and maybe even stick a wad on the wall—everyone else has been doing it since the 1970s! Just try not to touch anything because, well… gross.
Where to Get Outside
S.L.O. is home to Cal Polytechic State University, a school that prides itself on its “learn by doing” philosophy. Hands-on experience is huge here, and you can see that on a walk through its architectural graveyard. This nine-acre collection of eclectic, abandoned mishmash of unconventional architecture is what remains from the school’s outdoor experimental construction laboratory, where you’ll find structures and sculptures imagined by former students. The easy hike is about three-miles round trip.
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