William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach, Public beach in San Simeon, United States
William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach is a sheltered cove beach on California's coast with an 850-foot pier and pale sand right next to the Hearst Castle Visitor Center. The shore sits along Highway 1 and offers calm, clear waters for swimming and exploring.
Portuguese whalers settled here in the 1850s and built a thriving village at this spot. The settlement was later abandoned when drought hit the region and whaling became less profitable.
The beach carries the Hearst family name, as they owned the surrounding land and opened this section to the public for recreation. Visitors can sense the connection between this spot and the nearby Hearst Castle, which shaped the story of this influential family.
The beach has picnic areas, parking, and restrooms available for visitors, plus the option to fish from the pier. The grounds are fairly flat and easy to walk through, and there is an information center at the entrance with exhibits about marine life.
The beach sits right next to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, making it a great spot for watching marine life. Visitors often see sea lions, seabirds, and sometimes larger sea mammals from the shore.
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