William Randolph Hearst's lavish estate in San Simeon, California, is called Hearst Castle. The hilltop complex was conceived by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst and designed with architect Julia Morgan, who worked on it for more than two decades.
Construction began in 1919 on land inherited from Hearst's mother, Phoebe, although the family had used the area for camping since the 19th century. The centerpiece, Casa Grande, is surrounded by guesthouses, gardens, pools, and extensive art collections. Hearst called the estate La Cuesta Encantada, meaning “The Enchanted Hill.”
The estate became a gathering place for politicians, writers, and Hollywood stars, including Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, and Clark Gable. Hearst and Marion Davies left permanently in 1947, and the family donated the castle and much of its contents to California in 1958. Today it operates as a state historic monument and museum.
A common mix-up is treating Casa Grande as the name of the entire estate. Casa Grande is the principal mansion; Hearst Castle refers to the broader hilltop complex.