Outdoors San Simeon
William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach
An outdoor spot in San Simeon, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Afternoon.
Why go
Calm cove beach and pier below Hearst Castle, good for picnics and kayaking.
It is one of 9 curated places we feature in San Simeon, alongside 3 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 activity. The closest of our other picks is Hearst Ranch Winery, 0.3 mi away as the crow flies.
- Type
- Outdoors · Beaches
- Neighborhood
- San Simeon
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 1 hr
- Best time
- Afternoon
Nearby
The 6 closest curated picks in San Simeon, measured as straight-line distance.
- 1Hearst Ranch Winery
Tasting room in the historic Sebastian's building across from the beach.
Drinks · 0.3 mi straight-line - 2Hearst Castle
William Randolph Hearst's hilltop estate with the Neptune Pool and Roman Pool.
Sight · 3.0 mi straight-line - 3Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
Free boardwalk viewpoints over thousands of elephant seals on the beach.
Outdoors · 4.1 mi straight-line - 4Piedras Blancas Light Station
Guided tours of an 1875 lighthouse and its restored grounds.
Activity · 5.6 mi straight-line - 5Moonstone Beach Boardwalk
Mile-long boardwalk above a rocky shore with tidepools and otter sightings.
Outdoors · 6.4 mi straight-line - 6Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Bluff trail and Monterey pine forest on the edge of Cambria.
Outdoors · 7.7 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach is a stop on our Pacific Coast Highway route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More to do in San Simeon
William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach is our only outdoors pick in San Simeon; here is what else we recommend there. See the full San Simeon guide.
When to go
Average daily highs in San Simeon run from 53°F in February to 64°F in September; December is usually the wettest month. For William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach itself, we suggest: Afternoon.
Modelled monthly averages for San Simeon from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full San Simeon weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Address
- William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach, 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452, USA
- Coordinates
- 35.64403, -121.18755
- Destination
- San Simeon, California
William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach: quick answers
How much time do you need at William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach?
Plan on about an hour at William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach?
Our pick: Afternoon.
Is William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach free?
Yes, we list William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Where is William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach?
William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach is at William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach, 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452, USA. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.
Which TripsCircle routes include William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach?
William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach appears on Pacific Coast Highway, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add it to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to San Simeon.
Plan San Simeon
- San Simeon travel guide 9 places
- Best time to visit San Simeon weather by month
- Big Sur to San Simeon 54 mi straight-line
- San Simeon to Santa Barbara 121 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in San Simeon
- Linn's Restaurant Food
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.