Overlooking the Central California Coast conceived by William Randolph Hearst, the publishing tycoon, and his architect Julia Morgan, it was built between 1919 and 1947. Known formally as "La Cuesta Encantada" (The Enchanted Hill), and often referred to simply as San Simeon.  Hearst called his castle “the ranch". His father George Hearst, had purchased the original 40,000 acres in 1865.  When George died in  1891, he left an estate of $18 million to his widow including the California ranch. Phoebe Hearst shared the cultural and artistic interests of her son, collecting art and patronizing architects. She was also a considerable philanthropist, founding schools and libraries, in particular, the then fledgling University of California. Upon his mothers death in 1919, William Hearst inherited the ranch, which had grown to 250,000 acres and 14 miles of coastline, as well as $11 million (equivalent to $162,213,052 in 2019). Within the week he began construction on the Castle.  If it is open we implore you to visit.