My husband and I just got home from a trip to the middle part of California...

[mimi85]

10. Thanks so much for the great pics. We lived in a funky beach town

named Cayucos during almost all of the 1970s. Cayucos is just up the road from Morro Bay and it's not that's not far from San Simeon. We went there several times and took our at the time little girl. It IS mind-boggling. My husband got to go with his college group on a tour of areas that aren't included in the regular tour and said it was just as impressive.

Hearst was quite the showman. Imagine how much dinero it would take in today's dollars to build it! When we went, there were still some zebras and other animals on the property, but I believe they're not there anymore. If anyone ever gets the chance, it's well worth it. The central coast in general is amazing. Take Highway 1 for the most scenic ride anywhere. Also, don't miss the unreal Farmer's Market on Thursday nights in San Luis Obispo. (Another great town - wish I lived there now, but costs are so prohibitive).

There are several different tours available as the place is so huge. The cost for the Grand Rooms tour is $25 and a little less than half that for kids. You can see the breakdown at http://hearstcastle.org/tour-hearst-castle/tour-tickets-pricing/