Want to swim, dine or see a movie at Hearst Castle? Here’s your chance
Want to swim in one of Hearst Castle’s legendary pools?
The Foundation at Heart Castle is offering a series of six exclusive swim soirees at the San Simeon mansion in 2020, as well as other events.
“By virtue of our longstanding cooperative affiliation with California State Parks, we are fortunate to be able to provide our members unique opportunities to support our mission while experiencing the Hearst Castle like guests of William Randolph Hearst — from incomparable swims to intimate dinner and film-viewing evenings,” foundation executive director Michael Young said in a news release sent Wednesday.
Only foundation members can make the reservations for the pool parties, but a member may include up to nine guests if space is available. Those guests don’t have to be members, but an additional donation to the nonprofit will be required for each attendee.
A maximum of 40 swimmers are allowed in the outdoor, 345,000-gallon Neptune Pool, which has a luxurious basin lined with Vermont marble and an alcove graced with large Art Deco sculptural groups of Venus, cupids and mermaids. Renovations on the swimming pool were completed in 2018.
Up to 20 people can swim in the indoor, 205,000-gallon Roman Pool, which features mosaic tiles, carved stone lamps and marble statues of Roman deities and athletes.
Neptune Pool swims will be held Saturday, June 27; Saturday, Aug. 15; Sunday, Aug. 30, and Saturday, Sept 26.
You can take a dip in the Roman Pool on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, Oct. 11.
Interested? You better act fast; tickets for the Sept. 26 Neptune Pool event have already sold out.
Other Hearst Castle events
On Wednesday, the foundation also announced dates for two lavish, wine-paired “Dinner & a Movie” events: Sunday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Nov. 8.
Attendance at each event is limited to 14 people. Everybody wears cocktail attire, but some opt for period-appropriate outfits.
Tickets for this members-only event cost $750 per person.
The nonprofit will continue to hold its popular, outdoor “Twilight on the Terrace” event for 400 people on the first Saturday in June. This year’s event is June 6.
“Twilight on the Terrace” is the only foundation event open to nonmembers. Presale ticket prices are $175 per person for members, $210 for nonmembers.
Presale ticket pricing for some events is available through April. Members receive a discount, and ticket costs are largely tax deductible.
Foundation executives say the nonprofit’s Holiday Feast at Hearst Castle will likely return in 2021 and continue as a special event every two years.
So, how do you sign up? You have to be a member of the Foundation at Hearst Castle, formerly known as Friends of Hearst Castle.
The 35-year-old nonprofit organization has several missions, including bringing more underserved youth to Hearst Castle and supporting the preservation and conservation of the art collection, historic gardens and structures at the historical estate.
Annual foundation membership starts at $500 a year, or, $42 a month. The cost to attend one swim soiree is an additional $950 per member or guest.
For more information, go to www.foundationathearstcastle.com. You can also call 805-927-2138 or email info@foundationathearstcastle.com.
This story was originally published January 30, 2020 at 5:05 AM with the headline "Want to swim, dine or see a movie at Hearst Castle? Here’s your chance."
