nbsp CALIFORNIA is such an awful state It s really my favorite state It has everything San Francisco amp Napa Palm Springs San Diego Los Angeles Santa Barbara nbsp Pebble Beach and the amazing 17 mile drive and we ll speak about all the areas in coming months But in this installment we re talking about San Luis Obispo area home of the HEARST CASTLE SAN SIMEON HISTORICAL MONUMENT and the MADONNA INN Halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the central California coastline is a meeting of state and sea that is an inherent component of the California State Parks system Beaches waterfalls natural and cultural preser

es are all section of the Central Coast State Parks In this breathtaking region redwoods march down to the sea wildlife thrives on the rugged coastline and sand dunes protect endangered plants and animals as division of this natural treasure This is where William Randolph Hearst decided to make his magical castle nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp The total compound is 90 000 square feet with the main house being 60 000 square feet 38 bedrooms and 41 bathrooms 3 nbsp guest houses and a spectacular outdoor pool as well as a magical indoor pool Did I mention 41 fireplaces Hearsts father bought 40 000 acres initially and ended the years Randolph acquired another 210 000 acres around it The land is a pastiche of historic architectural styles that Hearst admired in his travels around Europe For example the chief theatre is modeled after a sixteenth century Spanish cathedral while the outdoor pool features an ancient Roman temple front transported wholesale from Europe and reconstructed at the site Hearst furnished the estate with truckloads of art antiques and even whole ceilings that he acquired en masse from Eu and Egypt nbsp nbsp nbsp Originally known as Camp Hill its wilderness offered a property for class members and friends to rough it on camping trips Despite elaborate arrangements with separate sleeping and dining tents Hearst envisioned more comfortable accommodations His simple instructions to famed San Francisco architect Julia Morgan in 1919 Miss Morgan we are tired of camping out in the open at the spread in San Simeon and I would wish to build a little something nbsp nbsp Did he say little something nbsp Hearst and Morgan s collaboration has nbsp become one of the world s greatest showplaces The state of Californina owns it now and tours are given daily It s really a MUST SEE And when you are there you might as well run over to the MADONNA INN at least for dinner if not a sleep over A landmark on California acirc 8364 8482 s Central Coast for over forty five years The world renowned Madonna Inn offers 109 rooms each uniquely decorated with a particular report and colour scheme no two alike It s very dated 60 s 70 s but very cool Very over the top Enjoy a great nbsp meal in the nbsp Copper Caf Atilde copy amp Pastry Shop or Alex Madonna acirc 8364 8482 s Gold Rush Steak House Dance the night out in the Silver Bar Cocktail Lounge Shop in one of three specialty stores Classic Gourmet and Wine Shop acirc 8364 339 My Favorite Things acirc 8364 Boutique and The Brass Tower Men acirc 8364 8482 s Clothing Store Indulge in a bit of indulging in the Whispering Hills Massage Center nbsp Rooms run about 150 250 And themes like the Bedrock Room with Waterfall shower are really popular There is likewise the Austrian Suite China Flower Dot amp Daisy Love Birds Manhattan Room and Safari The restaurant is eye popping and jaw dropping Treat yourself to unforgettable fine casual dining indulge in a delicious oak pit barbecued steak or seafood dinner in the warm and inviting Gold Rush Steak House It acirc 8364 8482 s a spot to remember with great service superb wine list mouthwatering entrees and rich desserts nbsp And they have nbsp elaborate fantasy holiday decorations acirc 8364 8221 nbsp just spectacular nbsp And don t forget to pee before you leave nbsp A spark to San Luis Obispo wouldn t be accomplished without visiting the men s room at the Madonna Inn As wild as it sounds this room is a popular period for both men and women Unfortunately if you re a man and want to use this for it s original purpose be prepared to be interrupted by giggling women with cameras nbsp Once you enter the primary building go kill the staircase at the right This will take you to the wine cellar and pay phone in the Flintstones like rock cave The men s restroom is to the left Here you ll find the attraction a urinal that looks like a waterfall which is excited when you give a ray of light nbsp This place nbsp is another MUST SEE nbsp nbsp hearst castle madonna inn san luis obispo san simeon gay travel gay california Turbo Tagger nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp