Daytrip: Head to San Luis Obispo County

Just past Hearst Castle, about 15 miles, is the small village of Harmony. The quaint town, established as a creamery in 1869, by a Swiss dairyman, boasts several artist studios, a winery and several shops. 

Harmony Cellars Winery, 3255 Harmony Valley Road, is nestled in the rolling hills overlooking Harmony, just off Highway 1. It’s a family-owned winery, that offers wine tasting Thurs.-Sun.

“It’s noteworthy that Harmony Cellars is the only working winery in a handful of wine-tasting rooms in the area,” said Erin Martin, who handles marketing for Harmony Cellars. 

Harmony Cellars is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, during fall, winter and spring, and has extended hours in the summer. The winery celebrates this month with Sweet September! Special pairings and savings are served Tues.-Thurs. through Sept. 30.

“We’re celebrating California Wine Month,” said Martin. Call the winery at 805-927-1625 for more information.

Visit Harmony Glassworks, 2180 Old Creamery Road, Harmony. This glass art studio features a fascinating glass-art gallery and offers glassblowing classes by California Glassblower Eric Dandurand. Contact the studio at 805-927-4248 or email harmonyglassworks@gmail.com.

Before you head north to Hearst Castle, visit the Harmony Headlands State Park. There’s nearly 750 acres of native flora and fauna with a wonderful one and a half mile walking trail, leading to panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Find the park entrance and public parking about two miles south of Harmony. Park hours are 6 a.m.-sunset. Call 805-772-7434 for more information.

Hearst Castle, 750 Hearst Castle Road, San Simeon, leaves visitors with a fresh understanding of an era gone by. In 1919 William Randolph Hearst inherited 250,000 acres of ranch land from his mother. In collaboration with San Francisco architect Julia Morgan, Hearst created an estate of 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, pools and terraces that is tended to in minute detail.   

Since June 27, Hearst Castle has offered three new summer tours that include self-guided access to the grounds:

• The “Grand Rooms Tour” takes visitors through the ground floor of the main house Casa Grande, including the Assembly Room, Refectory and Billiard Room.
• “Upstairs Suites Tour” will guide visitors into Mr. Hearst’s private suite as well as the Library and Guest Suites and “Cottages and Kitchen Tour” will explore the wine cellar, kitchen and two guest houses. To make a tour reservation, call 800-444-4445 or reserve online. 
• The special “Evening Tour,” is offered seasonally on Fri. and Sat. evenings in spring and fall. This two-hour tour gives visitors an opportunity to imagine traveling back in time and experience the castle in the evening hours as one of Mr. Hearst’s own visitors might have during the 1930’s.

Tour ticket prices range from $25-$36 for adults and $12-$18 for children ages 5-12. 

If you plan to take a travel trip later this month, don’t miss the Hearst Castle’s Enchanted Evening, on Sat., Sept. 24. The program features a gourmet dinner by the Neptune Pool, fine wine in stylish company, first class entertainment and an auction of “Hearst Castle Experiences.” Call 805-927-2138 or friends@friendsofhearstcastle.org.