Hearst San Simeon State Park

Hearst San Simeon State Park is one of the oldest units of the California State Park System. The coastal bluffs and promontories of the scenic park offer unobstructed views of the ocean and rocky shore. The park includes the Santa Rosa Creek Natural Preserve, the San Simeon Natural Preserve and the Pa-nu Cultural Preserve which were established in 1990.

A 3.3 mile trail runs through parts of the San Simeon Natural Preserve and the Washburn Campground. The trail includes scenic overlooks, rest-stop benches, and interpretive panels with information on wildlife and habitat. A portion of the trail along the seasonal wetland is wheelchair accessible.

• Santa Rosa Creek Preserve is an area which includes valuable riparian forests and coastal wetlands, that provide habitat for endangered Tidewater Goby.
  
  
• San Simeon Natural Preserve, located near the Washburn Day Use Area, consists of vast wetlands, riparian areas, and several undisturbed native plant communities including unique mima mound topography. The preserve is also a wintering site for monarch butterfly populations.
  
  
• The 13.7 acre Pa-nu Cultural Preserve contains the most significant archeological site within Hearst San Simeon State Park. The site has been dated to 5850 years before present, and it contains significant evidence documenting prehistoric technology, subsistence practices and social organization over the course of several centuries.

A unique opportunity to view northern elephant seals is available at the Elephant Seal Boardwalk (Located 9.3 miles north of the San Simeon Creek Campground). This vantage point provides an ideal location to view these marine mammals from a safe distance. For more recreational opportunities, the California State Park staff also offers Elephant Seal Tours.

Located near the Piedras Blancas Light Station, the elephant seal rookery extends along 6 miles of the shoreline.  Elephant seals may be seen throughout the year. The largest populations and the most activity are during the months of late January, April and October.  Although elephant seals spend most of their lives in the open ocean, they arrive at the rookery to give birth, breed, molt and rest from long migrations in the ocean in search of food. More information on northern elephant seals and other native marine life can be found at the Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center in the town of San Simeon and at the MBNMS Coastal Discovery Center. 

The viewing areas are open to the public year-round and are wheelchair accessible.  Docents are on site to answer questions. No reservations are required and there is no fee.  Restroom facilities are not available at this location.  The nearest restrooms are 4 miles south of the viewing areas at William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach.

Location & Directions

Hearst San Simeon State Park & Campgrounds are located:

• 5 miles south of the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument Visitor Center on Highway 1
• 29 miles west of the Paso Robles wine country on Highway 46 and to the north on Highway 1
• 35 miles north of San Luis Obispo on Highway 1
• 100 miles south of Monterey through Big Sur on Highway 1 (When road conditions permit)
• The charming community of Cambria is located 2 miles to the south of the campgrounds and offers gas stations, grocery stores, dining and more.
• The coastal town of San Simeon is located 1.5 miles to the north of the campgrounds and offers more dining choices.

San Simeon Creek Campground

The San Simeon Creek Campground offers 134 campsites for tent camping or recreational vehicles. The maximum length for an RV is 35 feet. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. There are currently flush toilets (or chemical toilets) and TOKEN-operated shower facilities in place. An RV sanitation station and water-fill station are also available. Firewood is for sale from the campground host and proceeds go to help the Central Coast State Parks Association.

Recreational activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, surfing, beachcombing, bird watching and whale watching. The Junior Ranger Program is a regularly scheduled interpretive program for children. Interpretive walks of the San Simeon Creek Trail may also be available.

Note: RV electrical hookups are not available at the San Simeon Creek Campground. Please check with Morro Bay or Morro Strand Campgrounds for nearby RV electrical hookup equipped campsites.

Washburn Campground

The Washburn Campground offers an additional 68 sites. This primitive campground is approximately 1 mile inland from the beach on a plateau overlooking the Santa Lucia Mountains as well as the Pacific Ocean. The Washburn Campground can be accessed from the San Simeon Creek Campground entrance station. Facilities here include chemical toilets, and at each campsite a fire ring and picnic table with water spigots nearby.

In addition, the RV sanitation station, water-fill station, and TOKEN-operated shower facilities are available at the San Simeon Creek Campground. Firewood is also for sale from the campground host located at the San Simeon Creek Campground.

Note: RV electrical hookups are not available at the Washburn Campground. Please check with Morro Bay or Morro Strand Campgrounds for nearby RV electrical hookup equipped campsites.

Junior Ranger Program

This is a special program for kids that provides the chance to partake in a variety of fun and educational nature-oriented activities at Hearst San Simeon State Park. When offered, parents or guardians may bring kids to the Campfire Center at the San Simeon Creek Campground for fun, regularly scheduled programs about the Central Coast!

Visitor Survey

Park staff is developing an Interpretation Master Plan for this park. Please fill out our Visitor Survey. It will only take a few minutes and will provide input for our interpretive and educational planning.