Hearst Castle, San Simeon

Hearst Castle was W.R. Hearst's major life project of 28 years. It is a reminder of European art and culture on a grand scale. Placed atop the hillside which the "Chief" had camped as a child, it is able to be seen from many miles around and the estate totals 68,500 s.f. and over 200,000 acres of surrounding land. It includes all of the land to the ocean, was a refuge for exotic animals and still is a working ranch for grass fed cattle, and many other animals.

 From the Hearst Castle, a few miles North, we visited the Elephant Seal rookery where the new pups (weaners) were growing and developing strength to enter the sea on their own. A male is approx. 15 ft. and female 12 ft. Very impressive!