In the midst of California’s ongoing budget crisis, Hearst Castle has found a new way to meet the demands of a reduced California State Parks’ budget, and not turn away summertime visitors that fuel the local economy.
State Parks has always pushed the envelope of creative solutions for meeting its mission and starting in June, will be providing a new tour option that could become a visitor favorite.
“We are a mission driven organization that prides itself on providing high-quality interpretation to the public, but we recognize the need to reduce that level of service in order to cut costs, said Nick Franco, superintendent of the San Luis Obispo Coast District. “However, we didn’t want to negatively impact our visitation or revenue nor impact the local businesses that rely on tourism.”
Hearst Castle will offer new summer tours that will include self-guided access to the grounds beginning June 27, 2011. Visitors will be able to book one of three tours: - The Grand Rooms Tour will take you through the ground floor of Casa Grande including the Assembly Room, Refectory and Billiard Room.
- The Upstairs Suites Tour will guide you into Mr. Hearst’s private suite as well as the Library and Guest Suites.
- The Cottages and Kitchen Tour will experience the wine cellar, kitchen and two guest houses.
At the conclusion of each tour, visitors will be able to stroll the gardens and terraces at their leisure, view the iconic Neptune and Roman Pools, and enjoy the views of the surrounding coast and mountains just as Mr. Hearst’s guests did.
The 11 State Parks in the San Luis Obispo Coast District have already reduced their budget by $2.2 million over the last two years. Anticipating further budget reductions this coming summer, Hearst Castle had to modify the tour program to reduce costs.
“With the continuing budget cuts to State Parks and the possibility of park closures, we have to be more creative in how we deliver services to the public,”Nick Franco said. “Rather than simply reducing the tour inventory in order to save money, we asked our staff to develop a way to accommodate the summer visitor demand by using about half the staff we normally have.”
Under the new tour program, Hearst Castle will save just over $100,000 in July and August by reducing the number of employees required to provide tours and by no longer providing tours of the North Wing and Casa del Sol. Last summer typically required an average of 42 Guides each day to provide tours. The Castle will now only typically average 28 Guides each day to provide tours.
The new tours will have a shorter guided portion than before, but will provide an opportunity to enjoy the grounds outside of the buildings without having to stay with a tour group. Visitors who want to take more than one tour will be able to do so without the need to return to the visitor center and will receive a 10% discount for the additional tour. Visitors will be able to purchase additional tour tickets at the visitor center or on the hilltop.
The cost of the new tours is $25 per adult and $12 per child 5-12 years old. Children under 5 are free. All tours will also include the large format film, “Building the Dream,” at the Hearst Castle Theater with showtimes beginning at 8:15 each morning.
Reservations can be made through www.hearstcastle.com or by calling 1(800) 444-4445. Hearst Castle operates from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the summer.
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