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San Simeon

San Simeon is a small town along Route 1. It lies along the Pacific coast almost exactly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, 230 miles (370 km) from each. It is also about 95 miles (150 km) south of Monterey. San Simeon is most well-known for Hearst Castle, the ostentatious mansion of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst.

San Simeon has several beautiful beaches and spectacular hiking trails. Downtown San Simeon consists of a few hotels, restaurants and shops on either side of Highway 1. Much wildlife can be seen along the coastal trails, including mountain lions as well as elephant seals and other marine life.

San Simeon Cove is a beautiful park along the William R. Hearst Memorial State Beach. It contains a fishing pier, an old whaling village, and The Coastal Discovery Center, which features several interactive exhibits regarding the ecology and history of the area.

South of town lies the San Simeon State Park Campground, which offers numerous spectacular hiking trails. The San Simeon Creek is a great site for bird-watching.