Hearst Castle Holidays & Elephant Seals
A candlelit castle tour, a beach full of elephant seals and a Christmas market glowing in the pines.
4 hrs drive · 2 days · Best for big kids to teens · Nov–Jan
Day 1: Seals & castle
- 1:30 Elephant seals at the Piedras Blancas viewing area (free)
- 4:00 Hearst Castle Holiday Twilight Tour (75 min)
- 6:30 Cambria Christmas Market lights
Day 2: Cambria coast
From parents who have been
- The Holiday Twilight Tour covers about two-thirds of a mile with roughly 190 steps, and strollers are not allowed. Parents with toddlers mostly advise waiting until kids are older, because groups have to stay together and a fussy child holds up the whole tour. SLO Tribune via Yahoo
- Hearst Castle with a toddler: parents in a forum thread agreed it is hard with a 2-year-old because of the stairs, the no-stroller rule and the guided format. The family that asked chose to skip it. Fodor's forum
- Arrive at the visitor center about 2 hours before your tour time so there is room for the big-screen film and lunch. One parent rushed in right at tour time and regretted it. Her teen loved the visit, but her 11-year-old found 3 hours too long. Tips For Family Trips
- For the elephant seals, the Vista Point is the busiest spot. The flat Boucher Trail just north has quieter overlooks. The Vista Point has no restrooms, and the nearest food and gas are about 7 miles south in San Simeon. Flying Dawn Marie
- Docents suggest bringing a folding chair and being patient. To spot a newborn pup, watch for gulls diving at one spot on the beach. The closest restrooms are at San Simeon Cove. Friends of the Elephant Seal docent blog
- Cambria Christmas Market: go on a weeknight, because many weekend nights sell out weeks ahead. Park in the town lots and take the free shuttle, and get back on at the same stop or you may end up on a long, confusing ride. Walk to the back sections first, where food lines are shorter. California Through My Lens
Good to know
- Twilight tour: $50 adults, $25 ages 5–12; book on ReserveCalifornia; no tours on Thanksgiving or Christmas
- The tour has about 140 steps
- Big males arrive in fall; pups are born from December, most in January
- Christmas Market opens Nov 27; some nights are lights only, so check before booking
Sources: Holiday Twilight Tour · Elephant seals (Visit San Simeon) · Cambria Christmas Market (NBC)