Arroyo Laguna Beach. The zebras on the Hearst Castle property delighted us as they broke out in a run all together across the field. Your best chance of seeing them is right when you drive into San Simeon, a few miles south of Hearst Castle. About 80 zebras currently wander the property around Hearst Castle, and three escaped last week. The fanciful Gothic Study is the centerpiece of Hearst's private suite on the third floor of "Casa Grande" - the main building of the hilltop estate at San Simeon. Most of the animals were sold off in the 1930s. Hundreds of elephant seals are on the 6-mile beach as their haul out rookery near Elephant Seal Vista Point about 4 miles northwest of Hearst Castle. William inherited the land in 1919 from his mother (George Hearst had died in 1891). William R. Hearst Memorial State Beach. You can read more about them here. The zebras … They have been known to wander. Sure, Cali is known for its “anything is possible reputation”, but we didn’t think that meant free-range zebras. Hearst Castle, also called La Casa Grande (“The Big House”), main residence of an estate in San Simeon, California, that originally belonged to William Randolph Hearst. More information is available in our, A California DJ and Music Producer Dreams Up an Eco-Conscious Recording Studio on Wheels, Canndescent Looks to Project Light into the Modern Cannabis Market, These Golden State Eateries Helped Pave the Way for California Cuisine, Why California Is Compensating Its Farmers to Grow Weeds, Willie Nelson, Brian Wilson and More to Play SoCal Festival in Celebration of Beach Culture, Get Your Creative Fix With These Outdoor Art Experiences Throughout the Golden State. California is widely recognized for its perfect weather, amazing beaches, Hollywood, and…wild zebras? Three escaped last week. What’s interesting about these zebras is that they are not controlled, confined, or monitored by anyone. Hearst built the home on land he inherited from his mother in 1911. Arroyo Laguna Beach is a windsurfing and kiteboarding spot along the northern San Luis Obispo Coast. Hearst Castle is one of the largest of approximately 5,000 historic house museums in the U.S., with one of the most sophisticated guided tour programs in the country. At last count, there were roughly 113 zebras roaming around the property along the gorgeous Pacific Coast Highway near the Hearst Castle National Historic Landmark in … The Hearst Corp. still owns the 128-square-mile ranch that surrounds the castle. Look for cars pulled over to the right (valley) side of the road. The property is … So, what happened to the other animals of the Hearst Garden of Comparative Zoology? Powered by the sun, French cuisine and good vibes. In 1919, he hired architect Julia Morgan to build a mansion for him. It was an amazing sight, featuring an ever-changing collection of animals—like American bison, Rocky Mountain elk and zebras. In a competitive California market, CEO Adrian Sedlin is building a different type of company. Sound fishy? Bear in mind that spotting the zebras is all about luck. The Hearst Corp. still owns the 128-square-mile ranch that surrounds the castle. By then, it had … It was once home to more than 300 animals but most were sold off in the 1930s, said William Randolph Hearst… So, how did a group of remote animals settle in an area almost 9,000 miles away? Hearst Ranch was owned by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, who started building Hearst Castle on the property in 1919. In fact, a vast majority of the zebra species, if not all, are found in eastern and southern Africa. It’s a perfect California day: bright sunshine, a light breeze, warm enough to drive with the windows down. It should be noted that Zebras aren’t native to the Americas. With the help of Julia Morgan, the first female architect to receive certification, he began work on the estate home that would result in 165 rooms and 127 acres of elaborate gardens, pools and guesthouses.