Hearst Castle is set to reopen on May 11 after being closed for two years due to the pandemic and severe rainstorms that damaged the road leading to the castle.
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California State Parks announced that Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument in San Luis Obispo County will reopen to the public after months of renovations and construction.
"Hearst Castle is a state treasure and we are thrilled to reopen this wonder to the public to enjoy in a safe and responsible manner,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “We are confident that these once-in-a-lifetime repairs and improvements to the road facility will serve countless generations to come.”
During the closure, the upper 2.25-mile portion of the road leading to the castle was rebuilt to ensure the safety of visitors traveling up to the historic monument, California State Parks said. The old road was taken out and recycled into a thicker more durable roadway. California State Parks said the rainstorms damaged clay pipe culverts from the 1920s and they were replaced with more durable piping that is able to hold up against strong storms.
California State Parks said when the castle reopens it will celebrate a delayed 100 year anniversary. For the celebration, they will offer a special new tour called The Julia Morgan Tour, which takes a look into the life and career of the woman behind the architecture of the castle.
Starting on March 31 visitors can make tour reservations online.
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