Big Sur California PCH 1 Vacation Drive Photo mile 00, this is still the begining, Hearst Castle® Visitors Center & Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument®; you must go here…

Information: A gorgeous photograph of Hearst Castle® taken from a helicopter. Hearst Castle® at San Simeon is phenomenal, if you haven’t taken a tour of this beautiful castle then you need to, find out more about Hearst Castle®.
Near Points of Interest: Anyway you go from the Hearst Castle® Visitors center you will find points of interest. Just down the hill a little and across Pacific Coast Highway 1, William Randolph Hearst State Beach and the old Village of San Simeon. If you head north 5 miles you will find the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, just past that is the Piedras Blancas Light House and the perfect place to have lunch or have just a great photo opportunity is the Ragged Point Inn. If you head south on the Pacific Coast Highway about 5 miles is the wonderful San Simeon Creek State Beach and Campground then the Village of Cambria is just after that opening a whole new world of sightseer opportunities and photo ops.
Beach Access and Day Use Picnic Areas: William Randolph Hearst State Beach and San Simeon Creek State Beach
Near places to Eat: There are a number of good concessions right at the Visitors Center where you can get good food and drink: Hearst Castle Concessions; and the wonderful Sebastian's General Store and Cafe is just across the Highway.
Near Hotel Lodgings & Resorts: In an area just south of here about 5 miles called San Simeon Acres, motels line both side of the highway about half a mile, of these Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort is the best choice.
Near Campgrounds: The Only close camground is 6 miles south at San Simeon Creek Campground in Hearst San Simeon State Park the first camping to the north is Treebones Yurt Resort camping about 28 miles.
Other Facilities, Services or Activities: You are in a large area that is build on tourism; no matter which way you go there are tourist attractions, travelers facilities and services, and activities geared for vacation fun. This photo road trip heads north up the scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1 into the magnificent Big Sur. If you head west you will find the small but wonderful old San Simeon village and enchanting William Randolph Hearst California State Beach. If you go south down the Pacific Coast Highway you find nearby San Simeon Acres with a nice little beach, hiking, surfing and kite surfing, great motels and places to eat, picnic and camp. If you continue south about 6 miles you come to the lovely town of Cambria with multitudes of choices for sightseeing, shopping, dining, lodging. Cambria is followed by the equally as hospitable and enjoyable Cayucos, Morro Bay, and San Luis Obispo not to mention of the road places like Los Osos and Montano de Oro. If it is cool on the coast you may want to consider the alternative beautiful scenery that lies inland and the fun associated with Central California’s Wine Country.

• Distance from San Simeon CA: 0 miles; Mileage to Carmel: 89 miles
• Scenic Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway 1 Mile Marker: SLO 57.8
• Latitude & Longitude: Lat N 35° 38.616 Lon W 121° 11.137

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Activities Points of Interest

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Coastal Aerial Photos of this Location

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