Pacific Valley to San Simeon State Park - Hiking and Backpacking Big Sur - page 191

DIRECTIONS: Hearst Memorial State Beach is directly across Highway 1 from the
Hearst Castle entrance, 8 miles north of Cambria and 60 miles south of Big Sur. Turn
west on San Simeon Road and continue 0.2 mile to the large parking area.
VISITOR CENTER: Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument (Hearst
Castle): [phone]. The visitor center is a mile west of Highway 1, 5 miles north
of San Simeon State Park, directly across the street from W.R. Hearst Memorial State
Beach. Open daily 8 a.m.-sunset.
NEAREST CAMPGROUND: San Simeon Creek Campground, within San Simeon
State Park, is 5 miles south of San Simeon (134 sites, $35/night; reservations re-
commended in summer and first come, first served October 1-March 14). On a plat-
eau overlooking the Pacific, this campground includes showers and RV sites (no
hookups). For more information call [phone] or visit parks.ca.gov . Wash-
burn Campground, within San Simeon State Park, 5 miles south of San Simeon (68
sites, $22/night; reservations recommended in summer; no showers), is a mile inland
on a plateau overlooking the Santa Lucia Range. For more information call (800)
444-7275 or visit parks.ca.gov .
INFORMATION: The beach is open until sunset. There is no entrance fee. The day-
use area offers 150 parking spaces, restrooms, water faucets, 24 picnic tables, bar-
becue grill stands, and a concession stand. Dogs must be on a leash. No overnight
camping. Easy beach access makes this a great spot for fishing, beachcombing,
swimming, and boat launching. In summer the concession stand sells bait and rents
fishing poles, kayaks, and boogie boards. Licenses are not required when fishing
from the pier, but limits are enforced.
WEBSITE: parks.ca.gov | PHONE: [phone]