W R Hearst Memorial State Beach

I love this place. I came here for a mini vacay and it was just delightful. I don’t know what it is like during the summer, but for the off season, it is not crowded. There is a nice stretch to walk dogs… on leash. Free parking. There looked to be a little trail running alongside as well, but I did not get the chance to explore it.
The view is great. The California shoreline is just so pretty. There was also ample parking while I was there. I had issues with cell service (data) but really, who needs to be online when you can be enjoying the beach. Loved my few days here and looking forward to coming back again.

Visited July 4^th weekend
Very crowded due to long weekend. Sat at one of the tables to eat lunch while checking out the view. Pier but no shops.

As you travel along the iconic Route 1 you will come upon a tiny place which you may be inclined to pass by. But don’t! It’s directly across (due West) from the Hearst Castle turnoff. Here you will find a sweet park with picnic area, beach, pier and bathrooms (always important when you’re traveling!) It’s not at all uncommon to spot a whale near the pier frolicking in the blue/​green waters. I didn’t see one there, but the views and tranqulity made my short visit there a special treat.
If you’re hungry or thirsty, continue down the street to Sebastian Café to sample Hearst Ranch Winery selections and indulge in the café’s menu of sandwiches, burgers, salads and other treats.

Another great coastal resource in a region filled with great attractions. Recommended.

Great part of thd beach that’s clean and usually not as busy. There is also a pier here that you can walk out on for some great views. The picnic area is also nice.

I stopped by W R Hearst Beach while I was waiting for my tour of Hearst Castle to begin.
It’s right across from the visitors’ center, so that makes things nice and easy. There is a large pier there full of fisherman and random facts about the environment. It is also fairly clean too, and not too crowded. There isn’t too much beach to speak of, but it’s still worth paying a visit to, if only for a minute.

A cozy park with lots to offer (also referred to as San Simeon). We were there on a Sunday and the entrance booth was closed. There’s a small parking lot with picnic benches.
But the good stuff is by the water. There’s a pier that allows you fantastic views of the ocean and coastline and you can fish off it. We saw several fishermen and a fish cleaning station (first time I’ve ever seen one). The pier itself looks like it’s been extended since my family last visited decades ago. You can also rent kayaks and water gear below the pier.
And as you walk back, you can see Hearst Castle in the distance.
It’s a great place to spend the afternoon, or just to stop to stretch your legs a little and enjoy the views.

On the way to Channel Island on highway 1, I was sitting at a shotgun seat. I saw a black thing moving in the pond. I got scared and saw carefully and realized it was an elephant seal. We immediately stopped and enjoyed watching their weird and lazy movement. Then saw the sunset. Nice relaxing beach.

I really didn’t like this beach very much (the actual beach, not the surrounding visitor center, etc)…I had just come from San Simeon State Park, which was much nicer. Also, this beach smelled.
The pier is nice though, and there was a lot of whale activity fairly close to shore, which was interesting. I guess the real draw of this place is the history… personally, I just like a nice beach, and there are probably a lot of better alternatives in the area.

this is a nice, quiet, small beach, located in san simeon, at the base of hearst castle road, the road that leads to the enchanted castle! this beach is dedicated to the «chief» himself, mr. william randolph hearst, although i wonder if the chief ever visited this beach, given how busy he was with his paper! this beach is free to the public, with public toilets, free parking, a nice stretch of boardwalk. there were some fishermen on the boardwalk when we visited. in general, i thought this beach was pretty clean and definitely family friendly.

This California State Beach is located directly across Highway 1 from the Hearst Castle. When you drive in, take a moment to stand in front of the plain school. You can see Hearst Castle on the crest of the hill, it makes an interesting contrast.
The clean white sand beach is in a calm cove. However, the waves do crash a bit against the long pier. This also is a popular fishing area. I asked a walking along the shore what he was fishing for and he told me Rockfish.
This would be a great spot to enjoy a sunset. It’s easy to get too and there are tables, benches even parking spots, where you can enjoy the sun sinking in to the Pacific.

Locals call this beach «The Cove»
I know because my friend is a local, and we come here all the time.
It is a beautiful beach, and makes for a nice walk. Sometimes you will see an elephant seal napping up on the sand. You can also hike up the hill and to the point, to see a really incredible view of the ocean.

Peaceful. Gorgeous view. Cold water (in the morning). Very relaxing. Just what a beach should be.

Couldn’t help but to stop by here off CA-​1 when I saw that appealing pier. I wish I had a fishing pole or some crab nets because this definitely would have been a legit spot to try out. Saw plenty of sea otters and was on the look out for whales but couldn’t catch any. Hearst Castle is also visible within the distance which is always nice. Dogs allowed too!

Dogs allowed, woohoo! But not on the pier, boo…

A simple pier, yet rich with history. A treasure trove of antiquities have made their way over these planks.
It’s nice to walk a pier without having to dodge cars (Avila Beach), or restaurants (San Diego). Many photo opportunities. Fishing is OKAY here.
The beach is a popular loading area for Kayaks.
There is also a small museum where you can lean about the surrounding area’s wildlife.
— In this same area is Sebastian’s Café. The best Soup and Sandwiches in the state can be found there.

Hmmm … Better beaches await in Big Sur, even if they are harder to access. The pier is a real plus here, as is the mixed collection of people who patronize the beach, from picnic-​packed families with beach balls and swimming paraphernalia to local dog walkers, kite people, surfers, and the scattered tourist looking to feed the birds, take photos, and otherwise soak in the Pacific views. The parking lot was unpleasant, crowded, and dirty, which made our first impression of Hearst MSB a less than impressive one.

One place you must visit along Hwy 1 is the Hearst Memorial State Beach fishing pier. We brought our fishing poles on the trip with us and happened to find this pier by luck. Across the highway, we could see the entryway to the bustling tourist destination — Hearst Castle. We avoided the crowd and opted for the peaceful and serene surroundings of the coast.
We watched visitors row their kayaks alongside seals and saw beach lovers test their threshold for the cold pacific waters. On the pier, a father tried to attract seals by throwing anchovies off the pier with his two kids and an elderly couple spent their morning cuddling on a bench with their fishing poles in hand.
Here, we spent the morning fishing and the enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Beautiful scenic coastline! It’s right across the street from the entrance to the castle, so it’s definitely a worthwhile stop after a visit to Hearst Castle to soak in a sunset before getting back on the road. It’s usually very vacant as it’s a ways from civilization.
The long pier is a nice walk to get out past the waves and look back upon the coast, the castle, and the expanse of the entire cove.
Down on the sand, there’s some areas for kids to play in a small lagoon. When I visited, I spotted a few kids with boogie boards kicking around in the waters. There’s also a guy with kayaks, which sounds like a fun idea!
You have to admire all the beauty around you when at this beach and appreciate Mr. W R Hearst for his excellent taste in scenic spots.

When I come here — and this is the third time — I keep picturing William Randolph Hearst in one of those striped, turn-​of-​the-​last-​century swimming suits, playing a ukulele and serenading his lover Marion Davies who would be twirling her beach parasol…
«By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea!
You and me, you and me, oh how happy we’ll be!
When each wave comes a-​rolling in
We will duck or swim,
And we’ll float and fool around the water.
Over and under, and then up for air,
Pa is rich, Ma is rich, so now what do we care?
I love to be beside your side, beside the sea,
Beside the seaside, by the beautiful sea!»
Instead of turning left or right on Hwy 1 after leaving Hearst Castle, why not go straight ahead to this tranquil beach? The waves never get too aggressive since it’s located in a large cove, which makes it ideal for kayaking and beginning surfing. I imagine this is where Hearst had all his luxurious items shipped to transport up the five-​mile hill to his palatial estate.
However, there are no remnants of that period at all. What does exist is a long fishing pier that’s great for strolling and allowing you time to realize what you would do if you had more money than God (see my photos). The bad news is that this state beach is on Arnold’s short-​list for closure to help balance the state budget. It would be a darn shame to let that girly-​man commit such an injustice. Visit while you still can…