My husband and I just got home from a trip to the middle part of California...
We wanted to see Hearst Castle, and we did, plus we saw some other great sights...Here's a few pictures:
The main building:
In the dining hall:
And again:
The grounds and the view from a guest cottage:
We also saw the elephant seals, and what a sight they were: These are juveniles and they're practice fighting!
Here they are resting on the beach:
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I think the smallest one is more than 2400 sq ft!
I lived in the bay area for over 15 years and it was soooo close. I drove down to San Diego or La twice on vacation, and could have put that in either trip. I don't think it was as open to visitors as it is now though. I also wasn't aware it was so close to the ocean that it had ocean views. That looks like a lovely place to visit, but way too many people for me. I liked the elephant seals better. 
Glad you got to see it Peggy.
But oh yes, the views are amazing!
There are a lot of people visiting, true. It might be better in the winter. It IS definitely worth seeing!
Here's a detail picture to whet your appetite: In the kitchen...
The elephant seals also drew a crowd, but it's not bad. Everybody lines up against the fence and viewing is pretty easy. There are volunteers who will talk to anyone interested about the animals.
I do have a wall mount sink in my kitchen now, so they would look great! 
We weren't even supposed to be in the kitchen, but our guide ran us through there, and I grabbed the photo while we paused to look around!
The indoor pool is really beautiful!
Here's a link to the place; it looks like tours are around $25. There are several different tours.
http://hearstcastle.org/
GO!
It's truly magnificent.
Most of the animals are gone now.........but there are still zebras! We saw a pasture full of them on the way to our tour. I didn't have time to stop, unfortunately.
And I agree about the central coast area. It's gorgeous and all these cute little towns are so cool. I remember passing Cayucos on the way up and back!
We already had a reservation further on, so on we went. It IS a pretty town.
Beautiful. 
I really need a vacation- just wish I could afford one 
I plan on doing a lot of reading. I just started Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (and am having a hard time putting it down), and will probably do To Kill a Mockingbird and the Gulag Archipelago. I haven't read any of these yet, so it should be fun (as long as the grandchildren let me read a little- my little Mary is just so cute )
The Gulag isn't really fun; it's quite grim but well worth reading.
And good luck with your grandchildren! 
Here's a kitchen picture for you:
Enjoy, my dear merrily!
I had forgotten them. Even I would smile doing dishes with those magnificent faucets and cheery tiles (and electric dishwashing machines, which the castle probably did not have).
Isn't it nice that this is a public museum now? Being on staff there can't be too bad a job. Imagine the "office" parties? 
