Involves a lot of driving from/to LA, but an excellent overview of the 3 sites, with the focus being on the castle.
Review by: Jackie, January 2018
I took this tour as a single woman on January 13, 2018. The tour was AMAZING! We accomplished so much in one day -- Hearst Castle, lots of sightseeing and views of mountains, visiting the elephant seals, stopping by the Madona Inn and visiting San Luis Obispo. There were mudslides in Santa Barbara when I took this tour, so unfortunately, we were not able to go there all roads were closed. But the tour guide made up for it by showing us things we would never have seen otherwise such as the elephant seals. We traveled about 720 miles on the tour and I was seriously impressed with how much we accomplished in one day. The driver was also great and played a movie for us on the long drive back about William Randolph Hearst. Take this tour!!
Review by: JULONG ZHAO, January 2018
Very well organised, our tour leader Richard was very friendly and resourceful, and the driver made all of us feel absolutely safe and enjoyable! All 6 of us truly appreciated their service.
Review by: eileenc, December 2017
Awesome way to see santa barbara, solvang and hearst castle all in one day. Our guide was very knowledgeable and funny to boot! Shuttle drive was very comfortable and we were provided with complimentary bottled water and cookies along the way. Took this tour solo but thoroughly enjoyed it. Felt safe the whole time and even made new friends! My favorite was catching the sunset with the elephant seals at san simeon.
Review by: Marina K, December 2017
Three different locations to visit in one day-great experience! Want to go back and revisit soon, Thank you!
Review by: Pegs, November 2017
This was a great trip! Richard is a terrific tour guide and very knowledgeable. My only complaint is that we didn't have enough time to explore Hearst Castle on our own after the tour, but that was more the fault of disorganisation at the castle rather than the tour, and was outside Richard's control. I'd definitely recommend this trip to others.
Review by: Florence F, October 2017
The tour was amazing! Thanks to our knowledgable tour guide Giovanni, and our driver, we were able to cover a lot in such a short time. I loved the surprise stop to see the Elephant Seals after we completed the day trip from Santa Barbara to Solvang then to Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Thank you.
Review by: SHANNON P, October 2017
Great Tour!
Review by: Edwin B, September 2017
Everything was great except long trip but we stopped at Santa Barbara and Solvang great driver and guide did everything to help us enjoy the trip
Review by: Callum C, July 2017
We were excited to do this tour as a young couple after reading the viator descriptor, seeing the 4.5 star review and reading recent reviews however we feel we have been misled. The descriptor states a 12hour tour with 3 sightseeing stops. Santa Barbara was stop one. We stopped at the mission for 20 minutes and drove quickly through the rest of the place. This was extremely disappointing as previous reviews stated a stop at the harbour also. Santa Barbara seemed more of a restroom break than a sightseeing destination in the tour as specified in the descriptor. In Solvang the stop was 40 minutes which was enough for a quick coffee and browse in the small town. Hearst Castle definitely was the highlight of the tour, with a great tour from California State Park workers and time to explore and have lunch approx 2.5 hours. The biggest downfall to this tour, that is not made clear in the descriptor, is the time it takes to drive to places. After the castle it was a 4 hour trip back to LA with minimal talking from the tour guide and no radio on in the bus. It felt like an extremely long ride home. Reading the viator descriptor Santa Barbara seems to be the last stop which would have broken up the drive however this was not the case for us and added to an unenjoyable trip. Another aspect of the trip that let it down was the tour guide fell asleep during the tour. Many towns along the drive were left unspoken about, a real change to all towns previous which were discussed. We felt this was a little unprofessional. The driving of the minibus was questionable at times, immediate slams on breaks at red lights, driving in middle of the lanes, fast speed (71mph in a 55mph) and at one point flying over a speed bump. This made us feel unsafe at points. A point to note also this tour is way more than 12hours. From last pick up to first drop off we were on the road for 14.5hours. This was not altered because of traffic as the tour guide stated this at the start of the tour, another misleading selling point on the tour descriptor. If the tour guide knows the tour is a good 2hours more why is this not on the website?Considering as a couple we have paid $340 this trip really was not worth the money and extremely disappointing with some unprofessional elements. We would be grateful to hear a response from the company as we feel this tour was misleading.
Review by: A P, July 2017
The itinerary was great and the tour manager was very informative. I liked the trip. Mostly driving. _br/_ But it could be better if there was a long stopover in Santabarbara especially near the beach and where it looks beautiful at the entrance. We only drove pass.
Review by: shirlcheung, June 2017
This was a great trip to cover a lot in a short time, but it is a very long day out as distance covered great. Stop at Santa Barbara very short, but a nice drive around over view. Solvang a quaint town. Only half an hour but managed to buy a souvenir and grab some great danish do-nuts. All too short but wouldn't want to miss._br/_ Hearst castle spectacular but unfortunately undergoing renovations of the pool area.Local guides very informative. Not a wide range of food choices and expensive so pack your own or pickup in stop ahead was advised.Good idea._br/_ My guide for day jacob was very knowledgable and considerate. Bottled water provided, so thanks._br/_ I was the only client so most appreciative did not get cancelled. thank you!
Review by: Natasha B, June 2017
This tour was amazing! Jacob was my tour guide for the day! He was very knowledgeable and ensured that I was comfortable during the ride to and from our destination. It just so happens I was on the tour alone because no one else had booked, but I wouldn and #39;t change a thing! Hearst was the best!
Review by: FELIX S, May 2017
Nice drive up the coast!
Review by: Simona, March 2017
A VERY long daytrip, and most of the tour is spend in a car driving on the freeway. Hearst Castle was beautiful, however I don't recommend it if you are afraid of heights since the tour bus drives up the small curvy mountain road to get to the castle. _br/_ Solvang is a very charming little town, but it really looks nothing like Denmark.
Review by: Nancy M, March 2017
A very good quick look with no driving worries.
Review by: Jennifer J, March 2017
We were highly impressed! Our tour guide, Giovanni, was friendly, prompt, and very knowledgeable! We wouldn't have enjoyed the trip as much, or learned as much if we'd gone on our own. Driver, Sam, was great as well. I usually get car sick, but no issues! Van was comfortable and needs were provided for: phone chargers, bottled water, trash can. We went during the slow season and were the only two people on the tour. I was surprised and grateful it wasn't cancelled! Santa Barbara first, then Solvang, and then Hearst Castle. After leaving Hearst Giovanni added a special surprise stop. We saw the Elephant Seals on a beach nearby. We took Highway 1 as much as possible. Morro Rock at Morro Bay was one of many amazing views that day! _br/_ Thanks for a great day! Jennifer and Carol on 2/25/17
Review by: S.J., March 2017
A VERY long daytrip, and most of the tour is spend in a car driving on the freeway. Hearst Castle was beautiful, however I don't recommend it if you are afraid of heights since the tour bus drives up the small curvy mountain road to get to the castle. _br/_ Solvang is a very charming little town, but it really looks nothing like Denmark.
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