1 with deals

Things to do in San Simeon

3 places to go in San Simeon, California. 2 of them publish a price. 1 has a verified saving right now.

San Simeon centers on three main attractions. Hearst Castle offers guided tours through the historic mansion and grounds, with options including the Grand Rooms Tour, Upstairs Suites Tour, Cottages and Kitchen Tour, and Designing the Dream Tour. The Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center operates the Elephant Seal Viewing Area at Piedras Blancas, where visitors observe northern elephant seals at a rookery spanning eight miles of beach near San Simeon. Piedras Blancas Light Station is a historic lighthouse and wildlife sanctuary. For families planning a weekend trip, these attractions suit different timeframes and interests. The castle tours work well for older children and adults interested in architecture and history, offering several options to match your group's pace. The elephant seal viewing area suits families with younger children, requiring only the time to walk and observe wildlife along the beach. The lighthouse combines history and nature for those wanting a shorter outing. Distinguished Veteran Pass holders receive a verified saving at Hearst Castle.

What this list covers

San Simeon has 3 places to go: Hearst Castle, Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Piedras Blancas Light Station.

2 of them publish an admission price, 2 publish opening hours, 1 is running a verified saving.

Every figure here was read on the attraction’s own website, most recently on September 4, 2026.

How we know these are real

Savings here are quoted from the attraction’s own website, word for word. This one, for example:

“Hearst Castle welcomes the Distinguished Veteran Pass for California residents. The Distinguished Veteran Pass is a lifetime pass and no fee is charged.”

Quoted from hearstcastle.org · checked on

Historic sites in San Simeon1

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Parks & beaches in San Simeon1

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Trampoline parks in San Simeon1

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Free in San Simeon

One attraction in San Simeon gets you in for nothing, in the venue’s own words.

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Common questions

How many attractions in San Simeon are running a deal?
1 of the 3 attractions in San Simeon currently has a verified saving, covering 1 offer in total. Each is quoted from the attraction’s own website.
Is there anything free to do in San Simeon?
1 attraction in San Simeon says on its own website that admission is free. We only say free when the venue does, unqualified — a child rate priced at nothing is not a free attraction.
What kinds of attractions are included?
historic sites (1), parks & beaches (1), trampoline parks (1).
Are these deals guaranteed to still be available?
No. Every deal here carries the date it was last checked on the attraction’s own website and a link straight to the page it came from, so you can confirm it before you travel. Prices and offers change without notice.
What's the best attraction for young children?
The Elephant Seal Viewing Area at Piedras Blancas lets families observe northern elephant seals at a rookery along eight miles of beach. It requires no tickets or reservations—just walking to see wildlife in their natural habitat, making it accessible for toddlers and young kids who need flexibility during an outing.
Can we spend a full day at one place?
Hearst Castle offers multiple guided tour options—the Grand Rooms Tour, Upstairs Suites Tour, Cottages and Kitchen Tour, and Designing the Dream Tour—giving families choices to structure a longer visit through different sections of the historic mansion and grounds.
Are there any discounts available?
Distinguished Veteran Pass holders receive a verified saving at Hearst Castle, reducing the cost of admission for eligible visitors taking any of the castle's guided tours.