<p>Road trips are the ultimate way to explore California and soak in the state’s diverse beauty, whether it’s rugged cliffs, charming coastal towns or breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The legendary Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, hugs California’s central coastline, taking you past windswept beaches, towering redwoods, and jaw-dropping vistas. One such was San Simeon, a quaint coastal town just south of Big Sur. It’s a destination that embodies the magic of California’s Central Coast — a perfect blend of natural beauty and<br>historic charm.</p>.<p><strong>Castles in the air</strong></p>.<p>The biggest draw here is Hearst Castle, an extravagant mansion perched on a hilltop looking over the town and San Simeon Bay. Home of the publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, the 165-room mansion took three decades to complete (between 1919 and 1948). While Spanish Colonial Revival architecture was popular at that time in California, Hearst took inspiration from Spanish cathedrals — particularly the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Mayor in Ronda — and added Gothic and Neoclassical features. The mansion has a twin-towered main building, three sumptuous guesthouses, and 127 acres of terraced gardens, fountains, and pools. It is decked out in art, antiques, textiles, and silverware and sports architectural elements collected from all over the world, such as ceilings, doorcases, fireplaces, and mantels. Everywhere I looked, I found ancient Egyptian and Greek statuary, paintings by European masters, and an original 15th-century tapestry, a copy of which hangs in the Louvre! The assembly room features walnut panelling, Renaissance and Baroque tapestries, and a fireplace from a château in Burgundy, France, while the dining room boasts of ecclesiastical motifs like Spanish choir stalls, an Italian ceiling carved with images of saints, and a gilt iron church grille.</p>.<p>My eyes popped out when I saw the massive outdoor Neptune Pool flanked by long stone colonnades and an original Roman temple façade, no less; the 180-degree view of rolling hills and the ocean below is a bonus. But nothing prepared me for the indoor Roman Pool, which is located beneath the tennis courts. Inspired by traditional Roman baths, the pool is completely decked out in dazzling blue, orange, and gold mosaic tiles and is flanked by classical statues of Roman gods and goddesses — it’s a true embodiment of the excesses of the Roaring Twenties.</p>.<p><strong>‘Sealed’ with a kiss</strong></p>.<p>After exploring the castle, we drove down to the bay in the hopes of spotting Northern Elephant Seals on the beach. The Piedras Blancas Rookery in San Simeon is the only elephant seal rookery in the world that is freely accessible and open every day of the year. While elephant seals beach here throughout the year, the peak times to see them are fall and winter when they take to shore to mate and breed. A convenient boardwalk runs along the beach and an observation deck gives you a great vantage point to watch the mammals.</p>.<p>When I visited, about 50 elephant seals were sunbathing on the beach. Every now and then, one would awkwardly crawl across the sand to find a more comfortable spot, while others would use their giant flippers to cover themselves with sand to keep cool. A couple of more active ones raised their heads to let out shrill shrieks before flopping back down on the sand. There are interpretive educational panels along the boardwalk and knowledgeable volunteer guides are also around to interact with visitors and answer questions. One of them told me how elephant seals normally lead solitary lives at sea but get together in groups during breeding season. On land, they live off their blubber (fat stores in the body) so they don’t have to eat or drink, except the nursing pups who are born during this time.</p>.<p>Adult male seals can grow up to 16 feet and weigh anywhere between 1,600 and 2,300 kg, while the females are about 12 feet long and weigh about 800 kg — it was indeed a treat watching these magnificent creatures!</p>.<p><strong>Wine with a view</strong></p>.<p>It was early evening by the time I left the rookery, and wine o’clock beckoned. Luckily, the central Californian coastal area is a major wine-producing region, and Paso Robles (some 70 kms away) is replete with wineries. These produce everything from mineral Chardonnays and dry Rosés to robust Syrah, juicy Malbecs, and full-bodied Tempranillo wines. Daou Vineyards and Winery, Halter Ranch Winery, Tablas Creek Vineyard, and Hearst Ranch Winery are just some of the many well-known wineries in Paso Robles, all of which have tasting rooms on site.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The last one also has a lovely seaside tasting room in San Simeon, just a 5-minute drive from the elephant seal viewing point, so I made my way there.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Despite the cold and brisk breeze, I chose to sit on the outdoor patio overlooking the beach and the picture-perfect San Simeon Pier jutting out into the ocean. The fog kept rolling in and out, providing an ever-changing scenery. The staff had kindly provided me with a blanket from the store to keep me warm. The wine kept pouring and the accompanying cheese and charcuterie board was divine. As the sun set, I raised my glass to the end of a perfect day in San Simeon.</p>
<p>Road trips are the ultimate way to explore California and soak in the state’s diverse beauty, whether it’s rugged cliffs, charming coastal towns or breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The legendary Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, hugs California’s central coastline, taking you past windswept beaches, towering redwoods, and jaw-dropping vistas. One such was San Simeon, a quaint coastal town just south of Big Sur. It’s a destination that embodies the magic of California’s Central Coast — a perfect blend of natural beauty and<br>historic charm.</p>.<p><strong>Castles in the air</strong></p>.<p>The biggest draw here is Hearst Castle, an extravagant mansion perched on a hilltop looking over the town and San Simeon Bay. Home of the publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, the 165-room mansion took three decades to complete (between 1919 and 1948). While Spanish Colonial Revival architecture was popular at that time in California, Hearst took inspiration from Spanish cathedrals — particularly the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Mayor in Ronda — and added Gothic and Neoclassical features. The mansion has a twin-towered main building, three sumptuous guesthouses, and 127 acres of terraced gardens, fountains, and pools. It is decked out in art, antiques, textiles, and silverware and sports architectural elements collected from all over the world, such as ceilings, doorcases, fireplaces, and mantels. Everywhere I looked, I found ancient Egyptian and Greek statuary, paintings by European masters, and an original 15th-century tapestry, a copy of which hangs in the Louvre! The assembly room features walnut panelling, Renaissance and Baroque tapestries, and a fireplace from a château in Burgundy, France, while the dining room boasts of ecclesiastical motifs like Spanish choir stalls, an Italian ceiling carved with images of saints, and a gilt iron church grille.</p>.<p>My eyes popped out when I saw the massive outdoor Neptune Pool flanked by long stone colonnades and an original Roman temple façade, no less; the 180-degree view of rolling hills and the ocean below is a bonus. But nothing prepared me for the indoor Roman Pool, which is located beneath the tennis courts. Inspired by traditional Roman baths, the pool is completely decked out in dazzling blue, orange, and gold mosaic tiles and is flanked by classical statues of Roman gods and goddesses — it’s a true embodiment of the excesses of the Roaring Twenties.</p>.<p><strong>‘Sealed’ with a kiss</strong></p>.<p>After exploring the castle, we drove down to the bay in the hopes of spotting Northern Elephant Seals on the beach. The Piedras Blancas Rookery in San Simeon is the only elephant seal rookery in the world that is freely accessible and open every day of the year. While elephant seals beach here throughout the year, the peak times to see them are fall and winter when they take to shore to mate and breed. A convenient boardwalk runs along the beach and an observation deck gives you a great vantage point to watch the mammals.</p>.<p>When I visited, about 50 elephant seals were sunbathing on the beach. Every now and then, one would awkwardly crawl across the sand to find a more comfortable spot, while others would use their giant flippers to cover themselves with sand to keep cool. A couple of more active ones raised their heads to let out shrill shrieks before flopping back down on the sand. There are interpretive educational panels along the boardwalk and knowledgeable volunteer guides are also around to interact with visitors and answer questions. One of them told me how elephant seals normally lead solitary lives at sea but get together in groups during breeding season. On land, they live off their blubber (fat stores in the body) so they don’t have to eat or drink, except the nursing pups who are born during this time.</p>.<p>Adult male seals can grow up to 16 feet and weigh anywhere between 1,600 and 2,300 kg, while the females are about 12 feet long and weigh about 800 kg — it was indeed a treat watching these magnificent creatures!</p>.<p><strong>Wine with a view</strong></p>.<p>It was early evening by the time I left the rookery, and wine o’clock beckoned. Luckily, the central Californian coastal area is a major wine-producing region, and Paso Robles (some 70 kms away) is replete with wineries. These produce everything from mineral Chardonnays and dry Rosés to robust Syrah, juicy Malbecs, and full-bodied Tempranillo wines. Daou Vineyards and Winery, Halter Ranch Winery, Tablas Creek Vineyard, and Hearst Ranch Winery are just some of the many well-known wineries in Paso Robles, all of which have tasting rooms on site.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The last one also has a lovely seaside tasting room in San Simeon, just a 5-minute drive from the elephant seal viewing point, so I made my way there.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Despite the cold and brisk breeze, I chose to sit on the outdoor patio overlooking the beach and the picture-perfect San Simeon Pier jutting out into the ocean. The fog kept rolling in and out, providing an ever-changing scenery. The staff had kindly provided me with a blanket from the store to keep me warm. The wine kept pouring and the accompanying cheese and charcuterie board was divine. As the sun set, I raised my glass to the end of a perfect day in San Simeon.</p>