When booking School Tours on different days, separate confirmations must be issued for each day unless they will pay for all tours simultaneously.

Reservations for our School Tours at Hearst Castle are available now! Please read this letter in its entirety.

ABOUT:       School Tours at Hearst Castle provide students with an interactive experience that will spark interest and stimulate curiosity.

They will hear the story and history of Hearst Castle while observing and analyzing pieces of William Randolph Hearst’s extensive art collection. Students will see how history connects to the world we live in today through many primary and secondary sources, authentic historical objects, and exhibits. School tours are aligned with the California History-Social Studies Framework, STEAM disciplines, and California Department of Education Content Standards K – 12. The tour follows a route that consists of approximately one third of a mile walking and climbing approximately 490 stairs.

TIME:          Available selected weekdays October to June. Days vary throughout the offered season.

Available per day: 10:40 a.m., 12:40 p.m., and 2:40 p.m. –1 hour and 45 minutes.  Time includes the bus ride from the Visitor Center to the hilltop Castle and back to the Visitor Center.  Time does not include the 40-minute movie at the Visitor Center.

SIZE:            Groups up to a 54-person maximum. 48 students and 6 adult teachers/chaperones.

Large groups will be divided into groups (up to three) of no more than 18, with a maximum of 16 students and 2 required adult teachers/chaperones per group. 

Note: Groups from different schools may be riding together on the bus to maximize bus capacity.

TICKETS:       Students: $8.00

Teachers/Chaperones: $11.00

• A teacher or teachers are part of the total number of Student groups of 16 or less require 2 teachers/chaperones.

• Groups of 17 to 32 students require 4 teachers/chaperones.

• Groups of 33 to 48 students require 6 teachers/chaperones.

• Teachers/Chaperones as listed above.

• Additional adults: Can take a separate tour at the regular cost of $35.

• Due to capacity limits, additional adults cannot join the School Tour and must take an available regular tour as listed above.

• If schools arrive with less students than reserved, replacement by adults is not allowed.

• No refunds if you arrive with less students and/or teachers/chaperones than reserved.

RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT:

• Reservations and payment must be made in advance. 

• The teacher in charge of the school group(s) must be listed on the reservation.

• If paying by check, please include the school’s name and confirmation number.

• Payment is required 14 days prior to tour date.

• No modifications are allowed within 14 days of tour date. 

• No refunds will be issued after payment is received.

Make checks payable to:
California Department of Parks & Recreation
Attach school name (not just district) and visiting teacher’s name

Mail to:
Hearst Castle (Attn. Ticket Office)
750 Hearst Castle Road
San Simeon, CA.  93452

Reservation line: “To make a reservation please call Reserve California at 800-401-4775 Monday thru Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you need to be invoiced, please let the representative from Reserve California know during your call. If you need a W-9 please email Lija Vitols at lija.vitols@parks.ca.gov.

Please do not request an invoice until you have confirmed and reserved the exact number of students and required teachers/chaperones.

To make a reservation please call Reserve California at 800-401-4775

Monday thru Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Questions concerning School Tours please call or email:

HearstSchoolTours@parks.ca.gov or,

Michelle Machuca at (805) 927-2005 Michelle.Machuca@parks.ca.gov

Joel Pullen at (805) 927-2005 Joel.Pullen@parks.ca.gov

For questions about the tour focus or special needs, contact:
Carson P. Cargill (805) 927-2049 Carson.Cargill@parks.ca.gov