William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach facts for kids
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William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach is a beautiful beach located near the historic town of San Simeon. You can find it along California State Route 1 in San Luis Obispo County, California. The beach is named after William Randolph Hearst (1863–1951), a famous newspaper owner whose family has a long history in this area.
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A Look Back in Time
William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach is often called "The Cove" by local people. This area was once a busy place for trade and shipping. It was also important for the Hearst family's newspaper business.
Early History of the Land
Before the 1800s, the Chumash lived on this land. They were the first known inhabitants. Later, in the mid-1830s, Mission San Miguel was built nearby.
In the early 1850s, a small village was built on a piece of land sticking out into the sea. This village was home to Portuguese whalers. For ten years, they hunted about 370 whales. Most of these whales were likely gray whales and humpback whales. These types of whales are still seen in the area today. The village did not last long. After only ten years, a serious drought made the villagers move to find fresh water.
The Hearst Family's Connection
George Hearst, William Randolph Hearst's father, bought almost 50,000 acres of land. This huge purchase set the stage for his son's large empire. The Hearst family owned all the land as far as you could see from their castle.
In the early 1950s, the family gave a large part of their land to the state. They also sold miles of shoreline. This made sure the land would be saved for public use. The pier that George Hearst built in the 1800s is no longer there. But a new one was built in the 1900s, just a short distance down the beach. Today, this beach is a California state beach, meaning it is open for everyone to enjoy.
Fun Things to Do
William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach is a peaceful spot. It has lots of amazing wildlife and nature to see. Visitors can enjoy many outdoor activities here.
Beach Activities
You can go hiking, swimming, or fishing at the beach. It is also a great place for beachcombing, which means looking for shells and other treasures. The protected cove is popular for pier fishing. You can also try kayak fishing. However, there is no launch for large boats from the beach. You do not need a fishing license to fish from the pier. But there are rules about how many fish you can catch.
The beach offers many fun outdoor activities, including:
- Kayaking
- Kayak surfing
- Paddle boarding
- Slack lining
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
Kayak surfing is becoming more popular here. However, the waves are mostly close to the shore. This makes it hard to surf with a regular surfboard. There is a small kayak shop on the beach called Sea For Yourself Kayak Outfitter. This shop rents out kayaks, paddle boards, bikes, and other beach gear.
Exploring Nature
This beach has more to offer than you might first think. You can find cool caves, hidden beaches, and natural arches. There is also a lot of wildlife to spot throughout the year.
Animals you might see in the cove include:
- Gray whales
- Humpback whales
- Bottlenose dolphins
- Sea lions
- Harbor seals
- Elephant seals
- Sea otters
- Northern fur seals
Fishing from the pier and from boats is also popular. Common fish caught here include:
- Rockfish (like lingcod, cabezon, vermilion rockfish, and gopher cod)
- Halibut
- Thresher sharks
- Smelt
- Surf perch
- Sometimes, even a stingray!
Visitor Facilities
There is a piece of land that sticks out into the ocean. This land is still owned by the Hearst family. Visitors can hike a path all the way out to the ocean. Just above the beach, in the upper parking lot, you will find a discovery center. This center gives information about the area's history and local wildlife.
The beach area has picnic tables, barbecue grills, and restrooms. There are 24 picnic spots and 150 parking spaces. You will also find water faucets and easy access to the beach. You can enjoy picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, and sunbathing. There is also a place to rent kayaks and boogie boards. It is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Remember, the beach is only for day use. No camping or bonfires are allowed. The gates close just after sunset.
The Beach Today
On any given day, you can expect to see people kayaking or paddle boarding. The water in The Cove is usually calm. Many people also enjoy fishing in the kelp beds.
The beach is split into two parts. The area from the parking lot down to the water is owned and cared for by the state. The other half of the beach, all the way to the peninsula, is private property. It is still owned by the Hearst family today. Even though it is private, the Hearst family still allows everyone to come and enjoy this part of the beach.
Historic Buildings and Sights
The old Hearst warehouses are still standing. Sebastian's, which used to be a small general store in the 1800s, is now a small grill. It serves grass-fed beef from the Hearst ranch. There are also two newer buildings. One is a small kayak rental shop. The other is a small nature and history museum, or discovery center.
San Simeon Point is also still Hearst property. It is covered in trees and has small trails. These trails go out along its edges to the very tip of the point. On a clear day, you can see the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse tower from there. This lighthouse was built in the 1870s and is still working today.
Weather at the Beach
San Simeon has a mild climate, but the weather can change from day to day. In the summer, temperatures can be in the nineties (Fahrenheit), or as low as the fifties on the same day. During the winter, the weather is usually mild. Temperatures typically stay between the low forties and high sixties.
On average, San Simeon gets only about twenty inches of rain each year. Most days start with a layer of fog. This fog usually clears by mid-morning. Once the fog has gone, you can often see the historic Hearst Castle from the beach.
