Hearst Castle

"While America isn't ruled by a royal family, our country nevertheless has some homes worthy of the name 'castle'! La Cuesta Encantada near San Simeon, Calfornia, is one of them. Better known as Hearst Castle, this once private dwelling resembles a Mediterranean town high up in the Santa Lucia Mountains. There, media mogul William Randolph Hearst originally planned to build a simple summer place for his family. But his three-decade partnership with architect Julia Morgan resulted in an enormous estate that includes multiple guesthouses, swimming pools, an airport and even a zoo! In its heyday it was a coveted privilege to be a guest at Hearst Castle. Today, the castle is open to the public. Come on inside and let's take a tour of one of America's most famous homes!,"--page [4] of cover.