Monday, July 12, 2010

Hearst Castle and a Tour at Heart and Home

Hello Friends!

"Casa Grande" Heast Castle, San Simeon


I hope you had a great weekend.
 It's been a whirlwind of activity around here.

My firstborn is getting ready to transfer to SFSU,
and, since the car I'm driving is getting old,
I'm trying to figure out which new car, of the millions available, is the one for me.

So, I spent all day Saturday in the cold and fog, at the university orientation, (fun!)
and all day Sunday in the heat and sun, on car sales lots (not so much fun!).
I welcome any opinions, what do you recommend?
What are you driving?

 By the way, I appreciate all your comments regarding my fireplace,
and all the entries for the giveaway.
Keep 'em coming!!

Last week I promised you pictures of
San Simeon and Hearst Castle

Are you ready?
Following is a small sample of what we viewed on our tour.


I arranged the photographs into collages
to share with you.
I don't want to overwhelm you!

Above are some of the surrounding gardens,
the beautiful views, and a tiny taste of the moroccan style architecture
of the first structure of the over 90,000 square feet of buildings,
 built on the property.



The famous outdoor "Neptune" pool, which was built, rebuilt, moved,
and then built again.
 It is truly a sight to behold!

I can imagine swimming lazy laps across the pool,
 the butler waiting on the other side
with my towel, robe, and a nice frosty drink.



 Inside, most of the rooms contain elaborate and intricately carved
antiquities gathered all across Europe.
Cherubs were a favorite theme, and Julia Morgan (the estate's architect,) 
carefully incorporated each piece Wm. Hearst collected.
She often had pieces copied by local artisans to create a balanced effect in a room.

Each room in the castle is unique and different,
 filled with priceless furnishings and art.
There are 56 bedrooms, (and 61 bathrooms!).
 The photographs above depict details in one guest room.


A glimpse of the more intimate,
 smaller indoor "Roman pool", with it's walls and floor of gold and glass mosaic tiles,
gives you an idea of the grandeur and scale of the castle.


Although impressive, the glitz of Hearst Castle doesn't outshine
the beauty of the coast at San Simeon and Cambria.
It is rugged, peaceful, and inspiring.
For more pictures, you can look here.
For more information on Hearst Castle, go here.


Remember, leave a comment to be entered in the drawing!
Become a follower,
refer a friend,
mention the giveaway on your blog,
you'll get additional entries.
(sorry, shipping to continental USA only!)


(Cambrian ground squirrel, one of thousands begging for peanuts)

I'm gathering more goodies for you!
Although not quite as grand
as what's found at Hearst Castle,
I'm sure you'll like them!


Until next time
XO
Heidi

PS. Seriously, what are you driving?
I'm having a heck of a time deciding on my new auto. Help!!

linking to Outdoor Wednesday, at A Southern Daydreamer
and (very late) to Mosaic Monday at Little Red House

22 comments:

Jemsmom said...

I just got a new Chrysler Town and Country Touring. I am a mini van mom and I love it. I looked at the Ford Flex and really liked it, but you just can't beat the mini van for storage and ease. I love it! This is my third one!!! I leased the first two, but we bought this one.

These pictures are amazing. It is so funny to see these very European style castles in America!

So excited about your giveaway! I made my friend Allison come by! :-)

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Heidi,
I love the picture of the castle. We have been there a couple of time and are always AMAZED! It is so grand!!!
I drive a Lexus RX330 SUV. I love it. This is my second one.
Robin

Pinky said...

In May I just got a new Cadillac SRX. I LOOOOVE it! It is great, has tons of room and rides really nice. AND, it takes regular gas!!!:):) Thanks for sharing the pics. I am a loyal follower too!!!! XO, Pinky

Lottie said...

The pictures of the castle are amazing! I have been looking at new cars for the past three months and it is a hard decision. Meanwhile we decided to put some money in my 1999 Oldsmobile to have as a back up car. I enjoy driving it so much that I decided to just stop looking and keep driving it. I know, I'm too sentimental. It is time to get a new one! Looking forward to finding out what you decide.

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Love the pictures....Great tour...I drive a 2010 Highlander...but then my son is the General sales Manager at a Toyota Dealership, so I change often...This one has a few too many bells and whistles...really its just differnt from my last vehicle and I hate to read instructions...

Maggie said...

Can't help you on the car front I'm afraid.
Your Hearst Castle mosaics are gorgeous, that place is so over the top.
We visited HC many years ago and it was great to take your virtual tour, made me want to return.
Have a great week.
Maggie @ Normandy Life

Allison said...

Isn't Hearst Castle gorgeous! An amazing tour. IWe've done both the daylight and the evening tour and both were spectacualr. Cambria is one of my favorite little get aways. So charming and peaceful and kind of romantic at night. A Lexus is a great car. I couldn't be happier with mine!

Sandy said...

Such a beautiful place to visit.. you took really nice photos too!
Good luck to your College guy!
I'm a follower and would love to enter your giveaway!
Sandy
thewondersofdoing@blogspot.com

Killlashandra said...

Nice collages. I like your organized them with a subtle color theme. I like the blues and the whites of the statues and the pool the best I think. Looks like a very pretty place to visit. :)

Cottage Rose said...

Hi Heidi; OH Wow!!! what a Beautiful Castle,,,,, that pool is just so amazing, I could swim in there all day... with so many rooms I would need a map to find my way out,,,and just think you would never ever see your guests either..lol... it is a lovely place..... and sign me up for your give a way,, and I an a follower as well...... thanks for sharing the Castle...... wow weee

Hugs;
Alaura

ellen b said...

All of our cars here are Toyotas one with 250,000 miles one with 186,000, one with 150,000 and mine the newest one has 45,000. I know there has been a lot of problems with them in news but we have had nothing but good service out of them!
It's been years since I've been to Hearst Castle. Probably in the early seventies is when I was there last...

nannykim said...

Wow, pretty stuff. I love the inside blue tiled pool!! As far as cars--ha, we own all Saturns (which I can't remember how to spell!). But they don't make them any more!

Ebie said...

Hi Heidi, the last time I visited Hearts Castle was in 2008 and I enjoyed our trip. Your photos captured the opulence of the Castle.

Good luck with your give away.

I have always been a Honda, and the two cars I owned never gave me any problem. Now I am driving a Subaru Outback, and its great for long distance driving and city driving too.

Tracy F. said...

I've been here before. Isn't it amazing? Truly a castle! And, what a view!

Love Bears All Things said...

I love your photos...the castle is impressive but I like the beach and the squirrel best...
In 2003 we bought a red Dodge Caravan mini van...I had been wanting one for a while..I drove it 6 years and last December we traded for a new one, same model, same color...this one has stow and go seats which is a feature I had been wanting and auto doors which the first one did not.
I like it because it is easy on my back, not like getting into a car low on the ground.
Mama Bear

Gypsy Heart said...

Beautiful pics! I love that area and HC...so gorgeous. I don't think you can beat a Honda. My daughter has had 3 and loves them! Her current one is a Honda Pilot & such a smooth ride. You never have problems with them. Toyotas are great too although the news lately hasn't portrayed that. Good luck in your choice!

xoxo
Pat

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Amazing photos and Hearst Castle is on my bucket list...the gardens look so fabulous...can't beat those beach photos though!!! Happy OW...

Bettey said...

Gorgeous collections of photos!!!! I especially enjoyed the pool one and the beach shots. Have a good rest of the week :)

Hood Photo Blog

HollyC said...

All of your photos are amazing! I would love to visit Hearst Castle. Thanks for sharing. Happy Outdoor Wednesday.
~Holly

Nancy said...

Thanks for the tour. And my feet don't even hurt! Our Toyota Avalon has 285,000 miles and still going. A lot to be said for dependability.

Light and Voices said...

Now that is an idea more bathrooms than bedrooms. Since we only have one bathroom that sounds like a mighty good plan. I drive a Mercury Tracer with nearly 200,000 miles.
Joyce M

Allison {A Glimpse Inside} said...

This place is SOOOOOOO GORGEOUS! I can only imagine living there!