San Simeon

San Simeon is a small community in San Luis Obispo County along California's central coast, stretching beside cliffs above the Pacific. The shoreline alternates between rocky outcrops and flat sandy stretches, while hills in the background separate the ocean from inland areas.

George Hearst purchased the coastal land in the 1860s as a cattle ranch, later inherited by his son William Randolph Hearst. In the 1920s, construction began on a large hilltop residence that grew into one of America's most recognized private estates over the following decades.

The name comes from the nearby Mission San Miguel Arcángel and was adopted by George Hearst when he acquired the land. Today many travelers associate the community with the hilltop castle rising above the coastal strip and visible from the California Pacific shoreline.

Highway 1 runs directly through the area and provides access to beaches, viewpoints, and nearby parks. Accommodations line the coastal road and neighboring towns, with most facilities open during the main travel season from spring through fall.

Sea lions often swim in the shallow water and surface near rocks where visitors can watch them from beach walkways. The cove provides one of the few spots along this coast where these animals regularly come ashore and stay for extended periods.

Location: San Luis Obispo County

Elevation above the sea: 978 m

GPS coordinates: 35.64389,-121.18972

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:32